How Much Does it Cost to Live in Guadalajara as a Digital Nomad?
In recent years, Guadalajara, the capital city of Jalisco state and the second-largest city in Mexico, has emerged as a hotspot for digital nomads seeking an affordable yet vibrant destination to live and work remotely.
The area, earlier known internationally as the birthplace of tequila and mariachi, is now becoming popular as a Mexican tech hub. During the last decade, Mexico’s Silicon Valley has attracted 15 large corporations, mainly from the United States, such as:
- IBM
- Amazon
- HP
- Dell
- Oracle
- Intel
- Freescale
- Tata
- HCL
- Luxoft
- Ooyala
- Wizeline
- Freescale
- Flextronics
- Jabil
- Gameloft
- Toshiba
- Cisco
- UST
- Microsoft
There are also some 600 small and medium-sized companies, many start-ups that export 70% of their materials and content.
Guadalajara’s appeal goes beyond its business opportunities. Educational institutions in the city are highly regarded, attracting students and professionals from all over Mexico and even drawing some back from America.
In my previous article, I talked about what makes Guadalajara an excellent and affordable place for retirement. But due to its growing startup scene, fast internet, and affordable cost of living, Guadalajara has also become an attractive destination for international remote workers.
Factors to Live in Guadalajara
In this article, we will look at how much it costs to live in Guadalajara for a digital nomad and remote workers.
Housing
One of the biggest expenses for remote workers is housing. In Guadalajara, you can find various housing options to suit your budget and needs. Unlike retirees who may opt for long-term rentals or property ownership, digital nomads often lean towards short-term accommodations that offer flexibility. Popular options for digital nomads include:
Airbnb Rentals
Guadalajara has a wide selection of stylish and affordable Airbnb listings; prices for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center can range from 800 USD to 1,500 USD per month, while those outside the city center may offer more budget-friendly options at 500 USD to 1,000 USD per month.
Co-living spaces
Co-living spaces are becoming increasingly popular in Guadalajara. They offer a mix of shared and private spaces, as well as access to amenities such as gyms, laundry facilities, co-working spaces, lounge rooms, coffee shop, bars, restaurants and community events. Prices vary but typically range from 500 USD to 1,200 USD per month, depending on the location, time of the year and amenities.
Food and Dining
Guadalajara offers a diverse range of food options, from street tacos to high-end restaurants. Here’s an estimate of food and dining expenses:
Groceries for a month: 300 USD – 500 USD
Dining out and street food: 10 USD – 20 USD per day
Coffee shops and cafes: 1 USD – 4 USD per coffee
Transportation
Getting around Guadalajara is easy and affordable. Popular transportation options include:
Public transport
Buses and the Tren Eléctrico Urbano are both reliable and budget-friendly, with a single bus ride costing just 6 Mexican pesos (about 0,30 USD) and a monthly pass is approximately 20 USD; a single TEU ride costing 7 Mexican pesos (about 0,35 USD).
Biking
Guadalajara has an extensive bike-sharing program called MiBici, with rental prices starting at around 2 USD per day.
Uber or taxis
Taxis are available 24/7 and cost around 150-200 Mexican pesos (approximately 7-10 USD) for a short-distance ride. Uber also operates in the city, but fares are typically slightly higher than other taxi fares.
Mobile Network & Internet
Most American and Canadian mobile network operators allow for free roaming in North America, but roaming speeds are annoyingly slow. So it`s better to get a Mexican SIM card – you will thank yourself later.
Anyone living in Mexico can buy a Mexican SIM card from the mobile network operators in their stores or from resellers (like convenience stores) without any restrictions. The most popular are Telcel, Movistar and AT&T. There are also Mobile Virtual Network Operators such as Oui Movil, OXXO CEL, Unefon and Weex. The following are approximate prices for Mexican SIM cards:
- Telcel – 4,61 USD
- Movistar Mexico – 3,50 USD
- AT&T Unidos Mexico – 5,84 USD, 8,76 USD & 11,68 USD
- Oui Movil – the SIM card is free, but you should also purchase plan
- OXXO CEL – 4,61 USD
- Unefon – 2,92 USD, 5,84 USD & 8,76 USD
- weex – 2,92 USD
But for using the internet at home and for work, it’s better to consider two other options: fiber optics or satellite internet.
Fiber optics is the best stress-free option in Guadalajara. The only problem is that in some newly built neighbourhood, there is no lines installed. It’s worth saying here that it’s not as bad as it sounds. In fact, municipality has made significant investments in recent years to ensure that its citizens have access to the highest quality internet. In 2019 was launched “Gigabit City” initiative which aimed to bring fiber-optic internet access to all citizens. So, if you chose a newly built neighborhood you probably just won’t have much choice between providers.
On average, prices range from around 75 USD to 150 USD per month for speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps.
The second option is satellite internet. Customers purchase a special modem and then take up a monthly plan, which ranges from 15 USD to 40 USD depending on the speed and amount of data you require per month. The minus of this option is that service craps out when a rainstorm comes through, or the wind blows.
Healthcare and Insurance
Guadalajara boasts modern hospitals and clinics.
The health insurance starts from 150 USD per month. So, you can expect to pay less for health insurance in Mexico than in the USA and Canada, even for comprehensive coverage. However, it’s crucial to assess your healthcare needs and choose a plan that suits your lifestyle.
If you think of getting some additional medical or esthetic services while staying in Mexico, I highly recommend reading my article about medical tourism in Mexico, which is becoming more and more popular among Americans and Canadians.
Leisure and Entertainment
Guadalajara offers plenty of affordable and enjoyable entertainment options for digital nomads. Here’s an estimate of some of the expenses:
- There are several gyms in the city that offer affordable monthly memberships; starting at around 30 USD per month you can get an access to the gym, yoga, pilates, box and many other classes.
- Remote workers can access coworking spaces across the city, with monthly fees ranging from 70 USD to 200 USD, depending on the location and amenities.
- Many museums and cultural events in Guadalajara are either low-cost or free to attend. And also considering that Guadalajara has some sort of festival almost every month, you’ll have something to do. Budget around 50 USD to 100 USD per month for leisure activities.
- Guadalajara has a vibrant nightlife scene, with a variety of bars and clubs that offer drinks and entertainment. One bottle of beer cost from 2,50 USD to 8 USD, cocktail roughly 5 USD to 18 USD.
Visa
It’s also crucial to consider visa requirements and associated expenses when planning to stay in Guadalajara. In this guide, you can find what are the easiest visas for Americans and Canadians in 2023.
Overall, the cost of living in Guadalajara is very affordable. You can find a comfortable place to live, eat delicious food, and enjoy various activities and amenities without breaking the bank.
Here is a sample average budget for a digital nomad living in Guadalajara:
- Housing: 800 USD per month
- Food: 250 USD per month
- Transportation: 50 USD per month
- Internet: 75 USD per month
- Phone: 10 USD per month
- Entertainment: 150 USD per month
Total: 1335 USD per month
This budget is just a starting point, and your actual expenses may vary depending on your lifestyle and needs. However, it is a good indication of how affordable it is to live in Guadalajara as a remote worker.
If you’re considering other destinations within Mexico for your journey, be sure to check out my article on “Mexico City: Digital Nomad Paradise or Chilli Pepper Challenge?” for insights into the lifestyle in the capital city. Mexico City offers its unique charm and opportunities for remote workers, and comparing the two can help you decide which Mexican city best suits your nomadic lifestyle.
For personalized assistance with your relocation to Guadalajara or any other location in Mexico, please feel free to book a consultation with me. I specialize in helping people navigate the intricacies of moving to Mexico, from visa requirements to finding the perfect place to call home. Your smooth transition to Mexico awaits – book your consultation today!
