What Does It Cost To Move To Mexico?

Whenever you move, there are upfront moving costs. There will be moving expenses whether you move across town or to an entirely different country.

Even though you can expect to reduce your living expenses when you move to Mexico, there will still be some costs you need to plan for when you move. In today’s post, I will detail some of these expenses you should plan for. I’ll also share some advice on how to save money with a few moving tips.

One of the highest upfront costs when moving to Mexico is securing a rental since you’ll have to factor in one month’s rent as a deposit and the rent itself. Another common expense when you first move to Mexico is getting your residency visa. 

See the chart below with estimated expenses for a couple moving to Mexico.

Remember that if you’re single, your expenses can be less. (All prices are shown in USD.)

What Increases Your Cost of Moving to Mexico?

Buying a car could cost an additional $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the car you select. Full coverage insurance for a $20,000 car will cost about $500 a year, and you get a discount if you pay yearly. 

And you have to consider that you MUST have Mexican car insurance.

If you want to import your car, you could be looking at $2-8K USD, depending on the make and year of the vehicle.

If you pick the wrong immigration contact or real estate company, your costs will substantially increase. Some lawyers and real estate companies price gouge, and you could pay the gringo price.

You can remove the pet expense from the chart above if you don’t have any pets. But if you have more than one animal or a large pet that needs to travel in cargo, the expense could be substantially more than $500. Or if you have a pet that cannot fly, you’ll need to consider driving them down to Mexico or hiring a pet transport company.

The $500 USD estimate is for pet airfare, vaccination records, veterinarian letter of good health, and paperwork the airline may require.

If you plan to drive to Mexico, consider gasoline, hotels, tolls, food, and an extra 10% for incidentals.

However, if you hired someone to drive your pets to Mexico, you could easily add $3,000 to the cost of moving.

During your first month in Mexico, it’s common to dine out more frequently as you explore different restaurants. To account for this, I’ve added $500 for dining expenses. Even if you plan to start cooking immediately, settling in and unwinding can take some time, so it’s wise to budget for this expense.

Using an international moving company to bring your household goods to Mexico will be a major expense. The cost will vary greatly depending on how much you bring and how far it’s traveling.

How to Reduce Your Cost of Moving?

To reduce your costs to move to Mexico, you should consider selling the things you don’t need anymore and sizing down. Most household goods can be replaced once you get to Mexico.

If your monthly rent is below $16,000 pesos, it can help lower your initial moving costs. On the other hand, renting for over $16,000 pesos per month will result in higher upfront moving expenses.

Ideally, you should find a furnished rental that includes all utilities, so you don’t have any other upfront rental expenses like electricity or internet. Additionally, be cautious of aggressive agents who insist on three months’ rent upfront simply due to a competitive rental market. Many rentals in your desired city won’t demand this.

We advise that you only rent a furnished rental. Otherwise, you’ll also have the expense of buying furniture, which could double your upfront expenses.

If you need to buy household goods, Coppel is an affordable place for furniture, bedspreads, curtains, kitchen appliances, and more in Mexico. Their furniture quality is similar to Walmart’s, and they often can deliver it to your home for no extra cost.

SEE FURNITURE PRICES ON THEIR WEBSITE HERE.

Buying health insurance in Mexico could add another $100-$300/month – depending on age and a few other factors.

You can also self-insure with no fixed monthly expenses. Self-insure means that you’ll pay for a doctor’s visit as you need them. It often costs $5-$50 USD to see a doctor or specialist doctor in Mexico. Of course, this depends on the specialist type, location, and appointment type.

Emergency overnight stays at a hospital in Mexico range from $3,000-$10,000 MXN a night- depending on the hospital, the type of ward you are staying in, and what meals are included.

When is the BEST Time to Move to Mexico?

Why We Recommend A Private Relocation Tour

You may have already done a lot of research and have a “shortlist” of places you are considering relocating to. And if you’re ready, go on a scouting trip because nothing will beat boots on the ground to determine if Mexico is right for you. 

Our Private Mexico Relocation Tours are a great option for you!

A relocation tour is a 1-3 day tour in a specific town/area you want to live in. A Private Tour is fully customized to do and see what interests you most. And a Private Tour will only have you or your family, so you don’t have to share transportation.

During a private relocation tour, you’ll see neighborhoods, shopping options, cost of living examples, and healthcare options, and you’ll learn what it’s like to live like a local. That way, you’ll better understand your cost of living in a specific town or city. And you’ll also move to Mexico with a far better understanding of your life there.

We have recommended private relocation tour guides across Mexico. Check out what cities we have contacts in here.