Price comparison
The same 29 everyday buys in Mexico and the United States, from a coffee to an airport taxi: what locals pay, what tourist spots charge, and where your money goes further.
The numbers that decide a trip, in one table. Money in USD, the local price underneath.
What locals pay in Mexico and the United States, item by item. Shown in USD at one daily rate so the two sides compare, with the local price underneath. Differences under 3% count as about the same.
27 of the 29 items cost less in Mexico.
Bottled, convenience store
Mexico: ≈ $0.95 – $1.50 MX$16 – MX$25 United States: $1.00 – $2.50 Cafe or street vendor
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $5 MX$40 – MX$85 United States: $3 – $5 Draft, at bar or restaurant
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $4.70 MX$40 – MX$80 United States: $6 – $9 Tourist area, main course
Mexico: ≈ $15 – $27 MX$250 – MX$450 United States: $16 – $28 Local market or stand
Mexico: ≈ $3.50 – $7.10 MX$60 – MX$120 United States: $8 – $14 Mixed drink, bar
Mexico: ≈ $8 – $15 MX$140 – MX$250 United States: $12 – $17 House wine, restaurant
Mexico: ≈ $11 – $21 MX$180 – MX$350 United States: $30 – $55 Cafe or street stall
Mexico: ≈ $2.40 – $4.10 MX$40 – MX$70 United States: $5 – $8 Standard route
Mexico: ≈ $15 – $27 MX$260 – MX$450 United States: $70 – $95 Metered or typical fare
Mexico: ≈ $0.59 – $1.50 MX$10 – MX$25 United States: $2.50 – $4.00 Single ride
Mexico: ≈ $0.30 – $0.35 MX$5 – MX$6 United States: $2 – $3 Grab / Bolt / Uber
Mexico: ≈ $3.50 – $12 MX$60 – MX$200 United States: $12 – $25 Tourist shop
Mexico: ≈ $1.20 – $3.50 MX$20 – MX$60 United States: $3 – $6 Tourist shop
Mexico: ≈ $4.70 – $8.90 MX$80 – MX$150 United States: $12 – $20 Ceramics, textiles, etc.
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $18 MX$100 – MX$300 United States: $15 – $40 Data package
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $18 MX$100 – MX$300 United States: $20 – $40 Pharmacy or shop
Mexico: ≈ $9 – $24 MX$150 – MX$400 United States: $8 – $14 Supermarket
Mexico: ≈ $0.71 – $1.30 MX$12 – MX$22 United States: $1.50 – $3.00 Pack of 20
Mexico: ≈ $4.40 – $5.30 MX$75 – MX$90 United States: $8 – $13 Pack of 20 tablets
Mexico: ≈ $1.20 – $3 MX$20 – MX$50 United States: $1 – $3 Spray or lotion
Mexico: ≈ $5 – $7.70 MX$85 – MX$130 United States: $6 – $11 Local barbershop
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $21 MX$100 – MX$350 United States: $20 – $45 Laundry service
Mexico: ≈ $1.80 – $4.70 MX$30 – MX$80 United States: $3 – $6 Standard full-body massage
Mexico: ≈ $47 – $95 MX$800 – MX$1,600 United States: $70 – $110 Basic cut, salon
Mexico: ≈ $12 – $30 MX$200 – MX$500 United States: $45 – $80 Entrance ticket
Mexico: ≈ $6 – $15 MX$100 – MX$250 United States: $25 – $35 Organized excursion
Mexico: ≈ $35 – $71 MX$600 – MX$1,200 United States: $45 – $85 Organized excursion 6-8h
Mexico: ≈ $71 – $100 MX$1,200 – MX$1,700 United States: $90 – $160 Local cuisine cooking class
Mexico: ≈ $47 – $100 MX$800 – MX$1,700 United States: $75 – $130 Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price in Mexico, against 2.1× in the United States.
Mexico 27th highest of 60
United States 2nd lowest of 60
What is expected in each country, so you neither stiff anyone nor overpay.
Mexico Tip 10–15% ("propina") in Mexican restaurants, service is rarely included. In tourist areas like Cancún and Mexico City, 15% is standard for good service. Also tip hotel staff, taxi drivers (round up), and tour guides (50–100 MXN per person).
United States In the US, tipping 15-20% at restaurants and bars is a cultural norm because servers are paid low base wages and rely on tips. Tip taxi and rideshare drivers around 15%, hotel housekeeping a few dollars per night, and bartenders about $1-2 per drink. Tip screens now appear almost everywhere, but for full table service 18-20% is the safe range. Leaving nothing is read as a complaint, not thrift.
No. In Mexico you pay about 47% less than in the United States at fair prices. TruePrice Index: Mexico 117, United States 222 (100 is the median of the 60 countries I track). 27 of the 29 items cost less in Mexico.
A week is cheaper in Mexico: about $250 at fair prices, against $385 in the United States. That covers two meals, a coffee, water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride a day. Flights and accommodation are not included. At tourist-trap prices the same week runs about $570 in Mexico and $756 in the United States.
In Mexico: food and drinks cost about 39% less there on average. A restaurant meal costs $15 – $27 in Mexico and $16 – $28 in the United States, street food $3.50 – $7.10 and $8 – $14.
In Mexico: tourist prices there are about 2.8× the fair price on average, against 2.1× in the United States. The biggest gaps in Mexico: fridge magnet (15.0×), city taxi 1 km (6.0×), and local handcraft (5.0×).
Where these numbers come from, and how the comparison works.
How to cite
TruePrice, Mexico vs United States, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/compare/mexico-vs-united-states/
Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.
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