✦ Cost of living
Monterrey
Monterrey, Mexico
US = 100
In plain terms: Monterrey is about 38% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $650/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing55−45%
- Food & groceries62−38%
- Transport48−52%
- Utilities82−18%
- Healthcare62−38%
- Goods & services68−32%
Is Monterrey expensive?
No — Monterrey indexes at 62 against a US average of 100, about 38% below it. Rent is the line that moves most, and a US or Western European salary stretches noticeably further here.
Of the 92 cities we track, Monterrey ranks #76 by overall cost — 16 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Monterrey costs
One person
$1,640/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$2,340/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$3,960/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $490 | $650 | $1,140 |
| Food & groceries | $290 | $420 | $690 |
| Transport | $290 | $420 | $710 |
| Utilities | $160 | $250 | $410 |
| Healthcare | $170 | $250 | $430 |
| Goods & services | $240 | $350 | $580 |
| Total per month | $1,640 | $2,340 | $3,960 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Monterrey
- Currency
- Mexican peso ($ MXN)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Power
- A/B · 127V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
Taxes
35%
Income tax
progressive
16%
VAT / sales
30%
Corporate
$700
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
Temporary Resident visa via income/savings; popular with nomads.
✈ 180-day tourist entry for many passports.
Income or savings proof; up to 4 years.
Permanent residence after ~4 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Cost of living in Monterrey — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$650
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$488
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Monterrey, MX expensive to live in?
Monterrey, MX's cost-of-living index is 62 (US average = 100) — about 38% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #76 of the 92 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $1,640 a month and a family of four around $3,960, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Monterrey, MX?
Monterrey, MX's cost-of-living index is 62 (US average = 100) — about 38% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $650 per month.
What are the average living costs in Monterrey, MX?
Living costs in Monterrey, MX are about 38% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 62 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $650. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Monterrey, MX?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $650 per month, and around $488 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Mexico?
Mexico has a top income-tax rate of 35% and a VAT or sales tax of 16%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
❖ Compare Monterrey with…
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.