Tulum vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Tulum or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Puerto Vallarta is 2% cheaper than Tulum
Monthly savings
$38
Mexico
Tulum
$2,313
$40,478
Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
$2,275
$39,813
Cheaper option
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
Tulum
Tulum operates without Uber due to taxi union control—negotiate fares before entering (Centro 50-100 pesos, beach 200-500 pesos). Electricity follows tiered CFE rates—exceeding 800 kWh bimonthly triggers DAC rates that quadruple your bill. High season (December-April) sees 20-30% rent premiums. Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 run 15-30% cheaper than English platforms. The 60% of Tulum lacking sewage infrastructure means tap water is unsafe—budget for garrafones. Power outages are regular; beach zone runs entirely on diesel generators.
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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