Cost of living in Oaxaca: A full breakdown 2025

Planning to live in Oaxaca or visiting in 2025? This guide details the real cost of living here, covering essentials like food, transportation, housing, mobile plans, and healthcare. Whether you’re relocating or vacationing, you’ll know exactly what to budget for daily life.

Even if you’re only visiting for a short trip, many of these expenses still matter. Eating out, transportation, and entertainment can add up quickly, so it’s helpful to know what to expect.

Oaxaca has become one of Mexico’s hottest destinations — but is it still affordable?

Despite rising prices over the past few years, Oaxaca remains relatively affordable. Living here with my son, I spend about US$1,400 a month, cooking at home and renting an apartment in Xoxocotlán. Of course, your own costs will depend largely on your rent, dining habits, and alcohol consumption, which are the biggest budget drivers.

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Rent in Oaxaca

Rent varies widely depending on location and size. Let’s say a 1-2 bedroom furnished apartment in Oaxaca City Centro, Jalatlaco, Xochimilco or Reforma, typically costs between $8,000-$15,000 pesos (US$400-$750) a month.

I live in Xoxocotlán, about 3 km from the Zócalo, and pay $4,000 pesos (US$200) a month for a 2-bedroom apartment. So there are definitely some good cheap options on the city’s outskirts.

💡 Pro tip: If you’re looking to save money in Oaxaca, focus on eating local, using colectivos, and renting outside Centro. That’s where you’ll really stretch your pesos.

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Utilities

• Electricity – My bi-monthly (every 2 months) electricity bill is around $200 pesos (US$10). I live pretty basic and don’t have many appliances.

• Water – This is generally included in the rent. But Oaxaca has water shortages during dry season, and you might need to buy a top up. You can order a pipa (Truck) of water, 10,000 litres for $1,000-$1,500 pesos (US$50-$75).

• Gas – Most hot water boilers and cooking appliances run off bottled gas. Gas bottle prices fluctuate depending on the price of gas at the time, but it’s about an average of $400 pesos (US$20) for a 20kg changeover bottle.

• Internet – If not included in rent, Home Wi-Fi plans cost $350–$600 pesos (US$17-$30) per month for 20–50 Mbps.

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Eating Out

• Restaurants – You average main dish in a restaurant is around $150-$200 pesos (US$7.50-$10). You can spend a lot more than that though in fancier restaurants.

• Menu del Dia – A set meal including soup, a main dish, and a drink, my go-to option, costs $80–$120 pesos (US$4-$6).

• Street Food – Think memelas, empanadas, tacos. You will be full off $50-$100 pesos (US$2.50-$5). Top 5 Street Foods in Oaxaca You Have To Try!

Alcohol Prices

Alcohol prices are often a good indicator of how pricey a city/country is overall.

• Beer – A bottle of beer in a bar/restaurant is $30-$60 pesos (US$1.50-$3) depending on touristy location. Craft beer which is becoming popular in Oaxaca is $80-$120 a pint (US$4-$6).

• Mezcal – A small shot style glass 1-2oz – $80-$120 pesos (US$4-$6)

• Cocktails – Average around $150 pesos per cocktail (US$7.50).

Grocery Prices

Average prices for a few groceries in Oaxaca 2025.

• Bread – Supermarket style loaf of bread, Bimbo – $60 pesos (US$3)

• Milk – 1 litre of full cream milk $30 pesos (US$1.50)

• Eggs – Around $35 pesos a dozen (US$1.75)

• Tomatoes – $14 pesos a Kilo (US$0.70)

• Apples – $50 a Kilo (US$2.50)

• Bananas – $18 a Kilo (US$0.90)

• Chicken – around $150 pesos for 1kg of chicken breast (US$7.50)

• Tasajo – from markets or local butcher $250 pesos for 1kg (US$12.50)

• Quesillo – $50 pesos for 250 grams (US$2.50)

Transportation

Public transportation is very cheap in Oaxaca. Bus $10 pesos (US$0.50) , colectivos $15-$30 pesos (US$0.75-$1.50). Taxis around Oaxaca City Centro $80 pesos (US$4).

Healthcare Costs

Doctor – Basic consultations at pharmacies like Farmacia del Ahorro or Similares cost around $50 pesos, ideal for minor issues like stomach bugs or sore throats. If you want a better doctor or a specialist, you’re looking at $500-$1000 pesos (US$25-$50) per visit.

Dentist – A general check up and clean cost me $700 pesos (US$35). I also got a root canal done for $3,000 pesos (US$150) and the crown on top for $3,000 pesos (US$150).

Coffee

The price of coffees are definitely on the rise. Which is unfortunate because I’m a coffee addict! A Cappuccino or Latte will set you back $50-$70 pesos (US$2.50-$3.50) anywhere near Centro.

Laundry

Washing machines in Oaxaca are quite rare. So that leaves you two options, wash by hand or dropping it off at the local laundry place. They charge anywhere from $20-$40 pesos (US$1-$2) per kilo.

Gym Membership

Average price Gyms around town, expect to pay $500 pesos (US$25) a month.

Cleaner

I personally don’t have a cleaner, but they seem to be popular in the Expat community. Expect to pay around $400-$500 pesos (US$20-$25) for 3-4 hours. You will usually need to supply all the cleaning products and equipment (soap, rags, mops, brooms etc..).

Drinking water

You can’t drink the tap water in Oaxaca, so you’re going to have to buy your drinking water. A 20L garrafon bottle will cost between $20-$45 pesos (US$1-$2.50) depending on the brand.

Mobile Phone Chip and Credit

Telcel offers the best coverage in Oaxaca. A prepaid SIM card costs about $50 pesos (US$2.50), with monthly credit starting at $200 pesos (US$10) for 3GB of data and unlimited calls/texts.

Cigarettes

Your standard pack of Marlborough Red/White will cost you $85 pesos (US$4.25) in Oxxo. A little bit more in smaller shops.

To wrap it up

Overall, Oaxaca offers great value compared to many other destinations in Mexico and beyond. Whether you’re here short-term or long-term, a little planning goes a long way in keeping your budget on track.

Happy Travels ✌️