Mexico: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Mexico?

Prices of processed food, drinks and tobacco in Mexico rose 4.57% in the 12 months to September 2026, according to INEGI's consumer price index bulletin of 8 October 2026. Fruit and vegetable prices rose 8.78%, while livestock products such as meat and eggs fell 4.46%. Overall inflation was 3.45%.

Fresh food sits in the non-core index because its prices are volatile; in September alone fruit and vegetables rose 4.40%. Processed food belongs to the core index. The next monthly index is due on 9 November 2026, according to INEGI.

Official sources: INEGI: consumer price index, September 2026 (PDF)

Are energy prices going up in Mexico?

Energy prices in Mexico's consumer price index rose 1.48% in the 12 months to September 2026, while government-set tariffs rose 7.79%, according to INEGI's consumer price index bulletin. In September alone, energy prices rose 0.55%.

The energy group includes petrol, LP gas and electricity, and government-set tariffs include items such as public transport fares and water charges. Both sit in the non-core index, which rose 2.45% over 12 months, compared with 3.75% for the core index.

Official sources: INEGI: consumer price index, September 2026 (PDF)

How much do Mexican households spend each month?

Mexican households spent an average of MX$15,891 a month in money in 2024, according to INEGI's ENIGH 2024 household income and expenditure survey. Food, drinks and tobacco took 37.7% of that spending and transport and communications 19.5%. Average current household income was MX$25,955 a month.

Including non-monetary spending, such as goods produced at home or received as gifts, current spending was MX$20,436 a month. Monetary spending rose 7.9% from 2022. The ENIGH is carried out every two years, so the 2024 survey is the latest.

Official sources: INEGI: ENIGH 2024 results (PDF)

What is core inflation in Mexico?

Core inflation in Mexico was 3.75% in the 12 months to September 2026, according to INEGI's consumer price index bulletin, above headline inflation of 3.45%. Within the core index, goods prices rose 3.21% and services 4.27%.

The core index leaves out goods and services with volatile prices or prices that do not respond to market conditions, such as fresh food, energy and government-set tariffs. The Bank of Mexico watches it closely when setting interest rates, because it shows underlying price pressure better than the headline rate.

Official sources: INEGI: consumer price index, September 2026 (PDF)

How many Mexican households receive government programmes?

41.4% of Mexican households had at least one member receiving a government programme in 2025, up from 25.0% in 2020, according to INEGI's 2025 intercensal survey. Households receiving a retirement or other pension rose from 13.0% to 16.6%.

The survey counts households, not people, and records whether anyone received the income, not how much. Overall, 50.1% of households had income from sources other than work in 2025. Households receiving money from relatives abroad fell from 5.1% to 4.7% over the same period.

Official sources: INEGI: Intercensal Survey 2025 (PDF)

What is Mexico's inflation rate?

3.8%: that is consumer price inflation in Mexico for 2025, according to the IMF. The peak was 7.9% in 2022 and the low 2.7% in 2015. It is 12th highest of 29 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 2.1%. Of 165 countries with 2025 data, 60th highest.

How much do people in Mexico spend?

The World Bank puts household consumption per person in Mexico at $7,471 in 2025. No year since 2005 has been higher. Latin America & Caribbean median: $4,566; Mexico is 4th highest of 15. Worldwide: 47th of 124.

What is the extreme poverty rate in Mexico?

1.6%: that is the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Mexico for 2024, according to the World Bank. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Latin America & Caribbean median: 2.1%; Mexico is 9th highest of 14.

What is the poverty rate in Mexico?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Mexico was 29.6% in 2024. It was 43.2% in 2016. It is 5th highest of 12 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 27.8%. Worldwide: 8th of 31.

How unequal are incomes in Mexico?

The World Bank puts the Gini index in Mexico at 42.6 in 2024. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 9th highest of 14 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 43.6.

How many people in Mexico go hungry?

According to the FAO, moderate or severe food insecurity in Mexico was 16.5% in 2024. No year since 2015 has been lower. It is 15th highest of 21 in Latin America & Caribbean, where the median is 28.0%. World rank, highest first: 74th of 135.