Querétaro vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Querétaro or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Querétaro is 36% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$808
Mexico
Querétaro
$1,467
$25,673
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
Querétaro
Querétaro rewards Spanish-language searches—rental listings in Spanish run 15-30% cheaper than English expat platforms. The QroBús system accepts only prepaid cards (no cash since 2018). Centro Histórico is walkable; Juriquilla/Zibatá require cars. Water scarcity is the city's most serious challenge—2024 marked the worst drought in a century. Tap water is unsafe; budget for garrafones. No AC needed at 5,970ft elevation—significant utility savings.
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.
Personalize Your Estimate