The US dollar has taken a bit of a beating lately. And whenever that happens, expats in Mexico start asking the same question:
Can we still afford this long term?
If you’re considering moving to Lake Chapala in 2026 — or you’re already here and feeling the peso strengthen — you deserve real numbers. Not 2019 numbers. Not fantasy YouTube numbers.
Actual, current, lived-experience numbers.
So here’s what it really costs us to live in Lake Chapala right now.
Our Baseline Monthly Expenses (Two Adults, No Kids)
We live in a two-bedroom condo in the Lake Chapala area with lake and mountain views. We work online and run businesses here, but the numbers below are strictly personal living expenses — not business overhead.
Rent: ~$600/month
(Exchange rate fluctuations have pushed this slightly higher recently.)
Groceries: ~$300/month
Fresh produce, local meats, mostly whole foods. Quality is high, much of it sourced locally.
House Help (cleaning + cooking): ~$300/month
Twice per week. This also includes some office cleaning, so purely personal would be slightly less.
Health Insurance (2 adults): ~$230/month
Catastrophic coverage. We’re in our 30s and healthy.
Internet (home): ~$45/month
Fiber. More reliable than what we had in Miami. Better than what we had in Guadalajara.
Electricity: ~$20/month
We have a partial solar setup. Mini-splits used lightly except during hotter months.
Cell Phones (2 lines): ~$30/month total.
That brings our essential baseline to roughly:
$1,500–$1,600 per month
That’s housing, food, insurance, internet, utilities, phones, and house help.
Lifestyle Spending (Restaurants, Spas, Massage, Etc.)
Now let’s talk about real life.
We go out.
We get massages twice a month.
We visit the thermal spas occasionally.
We eat at restaurants.
If we add in generous lifestyle spending, we’re realistically at:
Around $2,000/month total.
And that includes:
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Eating out
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Spa days
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Massages
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Occasional delivery
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All utilities
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All personal expenses
That’s not scraping by. That’s comfortable living.
Is Lake Chapala Getting More Expensive?
Yes.
Let’s be honest.
Housing in Ajijic and Chapala has climbed significantly. Western expansion (toward Jocotepec) is where you’ll find better value now. Real estate here is no longer “$50,000 fixer-upper” territory in prime areas.
The peso is stronger. The dollar isn’t what it was.
But here’s the nuance most people miss:
Mexico’s immigration requirements now demand far more income than what it actually costs to live here.
Many consulates are asking for:
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~$5,000/month in income for temporary residency
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~$9,000–$10,000/month for permanent residency
Meanwhile, you can realistically live comfortably on $2,000/month.
Mexico wants financially stable residents. That’s the game.
But from a pure lifestyle perspective? Lake Chapala is still dramatically more affordable than most major US and Canadian cities.
What These Numbers Don’t Include
A few caveats:
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We don’t commute daily.
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We live close to our office.
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We don’t have kids.
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We cook at home often.
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We don’t party heavily.
If you add private school, heavy nightlife, or luxury rentals, your numbers will rise.
But for a comfortable, balanced lifestyle in one of Mexico’s most desirable expat regions?
$2,000/month is realistic.
The Bigger Question
The real question isn’t just “What does it cost?”
It’s:
Does your income move with you?
If your currency drops and you’re on fixed income, that’s one equation.
If you earn online in USD and can adjust, that’s another.
Cost of living is only half the strategy. Income mobility is the other half.
Want help planning your move to Mexico?
Here are our resources (linked, as requested):
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Free Moving to Mexico Guide: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/mexico
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Free Moving Abroad Checklist: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/abroad
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White-glove relocation services (apply here): https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/consult
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Moving Abroad Relocation Roadmap Guidebook ($27): https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/relocate
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Moving Abroad Relocation Blueprint Course: https://www.entrepreneurexpat.com/blueprint
