Riviera Maya vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Riviera Maya or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Riviera Maya is 2% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$49
Mexico
Riviera Maya
$2,226
$38,955
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
Riviera Maya
The Riviera Maya corridor offers dramatic price variations by town. Puerto Morelos two-bedroom condos run $700-900 on the colonia (local) side, $1,500-2,500 beach-side. Akumal skews 30-50% higher due to vacation rental dominance. Puerto Aventuras' gated security commands premiums—studios start at $900. Mahahual offers beachfront casitas at $400-800 but 4+ hours from Cancún. Seasonal swings of 30-50% between high (Dec-Apr) and low season. The CFE electricity DAC threshold is critical—exceeding 400 kWh monthly average triggers 5-6x higher rates. Uber does not operate here; colectivos are the budget transport backbone at $2-3 per segment.
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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