Cost of Living in Lake Chapala, Mexico

"If one buys local or Mexican brands, food is relatively inexpensive. Eating out is 1/2 or less than in the U.S. The cost of living monthly is dependent on: a. If you own a home.
b. your lifestyle. We projected that we will save between $8 -10,000 annually by living here. Gone are the $150/mo. water and sewer bills and the $180 / gas and electricity. Every little bit of savings adds up," explained one expat living in Ajijic.

"That is such a personal question. I recommend that people housesit in the community they are thinking of retiring in so they can gauge costs, safety, reliability of utilities, etc," said one expat in Lake Chapala.

"Living in Lake Chapala can be significantly more affordable than living in the United States. The cost of living is lower, including the price of groceries, restaurants, and services. Utilities, such as electricity and water, are cheaper as well. Property taxes and other taxes are lower, meaning more of your money stays in your pocket. In addition, some domestic services such as housekeeping, gardening and deliveries are more affordable in Lake Chapala as they are substantially cheaper than U.S. equivalents. With all of these cost savings, many people are able to stretch their budget further than if they were living in the United States," said one person in Lake Chapala.

"Much lower than in Washington state. Taxes are minimal but utilities (electricity) is rather expensive... Based on the former occupant's usage, we opted to install solar. This was a significant amount but with a 3-4 year pay back...We are able to have a maid, gardener and pool guy which we certainly couldn't afford up north... Eating out is inexpensive and about 1/2 of what it would cost NOB. The average cost of housing depends a lot on the area one chooses. The closer to Ajijic center the more expensive. Houses with views (which we have) command a higher price tag... We were looking in the $3-400,000 range and there is a good supply at these prices," explained one expat.

"Renting a nice 1 bedroom apartment in Lake Chapala typically costs between 800-1300 USD per month. When renting a larger 2 bedroom apartment, the average cost can range from 1400-1800 USD per month," said one expat living in Lake Chapala.

"Many rental properties in Lake Chapala have a refrigerator and stove as standard appliances. Washing machines and dryers may also be included depending on the property. Other common appliances in rental properties in Lake Chapala include ovens, dishwashers, and microwave ovens. Further amenities such as air conditioning and hot water heating may also be included in the rental," said one expat living in Lake Chapala.