How much do you need to earn to live in Monterrey? We calculate the gross monthly salary required to cover rent, food, transport, and utilities — accounting for Mexico's tax system.
You need at least $22,232/month gross to live in Monterrey on a budget.
For a comfortable lifestyle, aim for $32,814/month gross ($30,295 net after ~5% tax).
| Expense | Budget | Comfortable | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR) | $8,000 Cheapest neighborhood (Mitras Centro) | $15,750 Median neighborhood | $23,000 Premium neighborhood (San Pedro Garza Garcia) |
| Groceries | $5,250 | $6,300 | $7,875 |
| Transport | $1,208 | $1,208 | $1,208 |
| Utilities | $1,996 | $1,996 | $1,996 |
| Dining & Entertainment | $4,200 | $5,040 | $6,300 |
| Total Monthly Expenses | $20,654 | $30,294 | $40,379 |
$22,232/month gross
$32,814/month gross
$43,883/month gross
1-bedroom second-hand rents across 6 neighborhoods in Monterrey
Mitras Centro
15 min by bus
$8,000 - $11,000
Cumbres
35 min by bus
$9,000 - $12,000
Contry
20 min by bus
$13,000 - $17,000
San Pedro Garza Garcia
20 min by car
$20,000 - $26,000
Valle
15 min by bus
$16,000 - $21,000
Centro Monterrey
5 min by walk
$14,000 - $19,000
See all 6 neighborhoods, detailed expense breakdowns, and savings projections.
Explore MonterreyEnter your actual salary to see your take-home pay, affordable neighborhoods, and savings potential.
Open calculatorWe total monthly expenses (rent, groceries, transport, utilities, dining out) for each lifestyle tier, then reverse-calculate the gross salary needed to cover those expenses after Mexico's income tax and social contributions. Rent data comes from second-hand market listings (what expats actually pay). All figures are based on 2026 data from official government statistics. See our data sources for full attribution.
On a budget lifestyle, you need at least $22,232/month gross salary to cover basic expenses in Monterrey. For a comfortable lifestyle, aim for $32,814/month gross. These figures include rent, food, transport, utilities, and dining out, with taxes calculated for Mexico.
The average 1-bedroom rent across 6 neighborhoods in Monterrey is approximately $15,500/month. Rents range from $8,000 in Mitras Centro to $26,000 in San Pedro Garza Garcia.
Monthly groceries for a single person in Monterrey cost approximately $5,250. This covers basic home cooking. Dining out and premium food will add to this budget.
Tax rates in Mexico are progressive. At the budget salary level of $22,232/month, the effective tax rate is approximately 5%. At the comfortable level of $32,814/month, it rises to approximately 5%. This includes income tax and social contributions.