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Cost of Living in Tijuana

Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico · Population 2,002,000

▲ +8% vs Mexico average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$10,657 ($576)
Couple, monthly$19,110 ($1,033)
Family of four, monthly$24,902 ($1,346)

Estimated Prices in Tijuana

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$108 ($5.81)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$430 ($23.26)per meal
Cappuccino$32.27 ($1.74)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$2,438 ($132)per month
Monthly public transport pass$394 ($21.32)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$1,040 ($56.20)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$301 ($16.28)per month
Fitness club membership$301 ($16.28)per month
Cinema ticket$78.88 ($4.26)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$5,012 ($271)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$3,487 ($188)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$10,460 ($565)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Tijuana is $15,818 ($855) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $10,657 ($576) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $13,855 ($749) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($3,487 ($188)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Tijuana

Tijuana vs Mexico CityTijuana vs GuadalajaraTijuana vs MonterreyTijuana vs San Luis PotosíTijuana vs TolucaTijuana vs Ecatepec

Nearby Cities

Playas de Rosarito

19 km away · Baja California

Tecate

39 km away · Baja California

Ensenada

86 km away · Baja California

Rodolfo Sánchez Taboada

101 km away · Baja California

Progreso

136 km away · Baja California

Santa Isabel

137 km away · Baja California

Mexicali

147 km away · Baja California

Cuervos

205 km away · Baja California

Other Major Cities in Mexico

Mexico City

Ciudad de México · pop. 21,804,000

$12,286 ($664) / mo

Guadalajara

Jalisco · pop. 5,525,000

$12,081 ($653) / mo

Monterrey

Nuevo León · pop. 5,324,281

$12,081 ($653) / mo

San Luis Potosí

San Luis Potosí · pop. 2,822,255

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Toluca

México · pop. 2,476,689

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Ecatepec

México · pop. 1,655,015

$10,657 ($576) / mo

León de los Aldama

Guanajuato · pop. 1,579,803

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Puebla

Puebla · pop. 1,576,259

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Living in Tijuana

Tijuana is one of the key cities in Mexico. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $10,657 ($576), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $3,487 ($188) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $24,902 ($1,346) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $19,110 ($1,033) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Tijuana is $15,818 ($855). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $13,855 ($749) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Tijuana expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $10,657 ($576) per month in Tijuana including rent outside the city centre. That is 8% more than the national average for Mexico.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Tijuana?
A net salary of around $13,855 ($749) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Tijuana with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Tijuana is $15,818 ($855).
How much is rent in Tijuana?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $5,012 ($271) per month in the city centre and $3,487 ($188) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $10,460 ($565).
Is Tijuana cheaper than Mexico on average?
No — Tijuana is estimated to be about 8% more expensive than the Mexico average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Tijuana?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $2,438 ($132) in Tijuana. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $108 ($6) and a cappuccino runs around $32 ($2).
How do transport costs in Tijuana compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Tijuana is estimated at $394 ($21). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Tijuana are estimates based on Mexico national averages adjusted for city size (population 2,002,000). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.