Guanajuato vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Guanajuato or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Guanajuato is 46% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$1,049
Mexico
Guanajuato
$1,226
$21,455
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
Guanajuato
Guanajuato delivers roughly half the cost of San Miguel de Allende with equal or greater cultural offerings. The university town economy keeps prices local rather than tourist-inflated. No AC or heating needed at 6,627ft elevation—utility bills stay remarkably low. The catch: finding rentals requires Spanish, most physicians speak only Spanish, and the steep hills demand physical fitness. Property taxes are remarkably low—under $150 USD yearly.
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.
Customize This Comparison
These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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