Cabo San Lucas vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Cabo San Lucas is 6% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$138
Mexico
Cabo San Lucas
$2,137
$37,398
Cheaper option
Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
$2,275
$39,813
Category Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
Utilities
Groceries
Dining Out
Transportation
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Healthcare
Phone & Subscriptions
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment, basic health insurance.
City Insights
Cabo San Lucas
Cabo San Lucas operates on two pricing tracks: tourist-facing Airbnb rates average $9,448/month, while Spanish-language listings and Facebook groups reveal the same units for $1,000-1,500 with 6-12 month leases—a 75% discount for those willing to do the legwork. The water crisis is real: some neighborhoods go 15-20 days without municipal supply, requiring cisterna storage and pipa (water truck) deliveries at $15-750 per fill. Summer electricity can shock newcomers—heavy AC usage triggers DAC (high consumption) tier rates that essentially double your bill. The geographic isolation of Baja means groceries cost 30-50% more than mainland Mexico. Healthcare is excellent (Hospital H+ rated 'up to American standards') but Saint Luke's Hospital has US State Department warnings for predatory billing.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta runs pricier than non-beach Mexican cities—you're paying for ocean access and established infrastructure. The critical electricity warning: exceeding 850-1,000 kWh monthly average triggers DAC (high consumption) rates, which can TRIPLE your bill overnight. English-language rental listings run 20-40% higher than Spanish sources (Inmuebles24, Facebook Marketplace). Seasonality is extreme—the same apartment costs 15,000 pesos in September but 30,000 in January. Water scarcity is real: 60% less rainfall recently, aging infrastructure, intermittent shutoffs. LGBTQ+ community is Mexico's strongest—the city won the 2024 Magellan Award for Best LGBTQ+ Destination. Healthcare quality rivals the US at 50-70% savings.
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These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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