Tulum vs San Miguel de Allende
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Tulum or San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
San Miguel de Allende is 29% cheaper than Tulum
Monthly savings
$676
Mexico
Tulum
$2,313
$40,478
Mexico
San Miguel de Allende
$1,637
$28,648
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.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel operates on two parallel tracks: English-language rental sites charge 30-50% premium over Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 and Segundamano. The Tuesday tianguis market is essential for local prices. Healthcare offers 60-80% savings vs US prices. The walkable centro means many skip car ownership entirely. Water is unsafe due to arsenic/fluoride—budget $15-20/month for garrafones or reverse osmosis.
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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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