Sayulita vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Sayulita or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Sayulita is 35% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$790
Mexico
Sayulita
$1,485
$25,988
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
Sayulita
Sayulita operates on two parallel rental tracks: Spanish-language listings through Facebook groups like 'Rentas Sayulita' run 20-50% cheaper than English-language sites targeting expats. Seasonal pricing creates dramatic 50-100% swings between high season (November-April) and low season. Housing costs have surged 50-100% since 2020. Internet reliability is the town's most frustrating infrastructure challenge for remote workers—actual speeds average only 11 Mbps despite advertised rates. Tap water is unsafe; budget $5-10/week for bottled. Golf carts are the vehicle of choice over cars due to cobblestone streets. Uber does NOT work in Sayulita (Nayarit state regulations)—use taxis or collectivo buses instead.
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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