The International Schools Review Forum

I would like to know from people presently (or recently) living in Mexico City, how much after tax income do you feel is needed to live comfortably in Mexico City as a couple?
I, of course understand that "enjoy" is a relative tern, that is why I ask that you please give a basic budget break down of that amount and associated living costs.

I have done a lot of research online and have come up with figures of 10,000 t0 30,000 MXN/Month (770.00 to 2,300 USD).

Thanking you in advance...

HM

10K-30K is a pretty big range. It depends what your expenses are back home, and what you mean by "live well". Here are some "Average) prices (USD):

Restaurants:

Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant 5.56 $
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course 31.25 $
Combo Meal at McDonalds or Similar 4.90 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter draught) 1.93 $
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)3.19 $
Cappuccino (regular) 2.28 $
Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle) 0.95 $
Water (0.33 liter bottle) 0.93 $
 
Markets:

Milk (regular), 1 liter 1.04 $
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) 1.71 $
Eggs (12) 1.68 $
Fresh Cheese (1kg) 7.35 $
Chicken Breasts (Boneless, Skinless), (1kg) 4.90 $
Apples (1kg) 1.57 $
Oranges (1kg) 0.76 $
Potato (1kg) 0.94 $
Lettuce (1 head) 0.96 $
Water (1.5 liter bottle) 0.86 $
Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) 10.31 $
Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) 1.05 $
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) 1.64 $
Pack of Cigarettes (Marlboro) 3.09 $

Transportation:

One-way Ticket (local transport) 0.34 $
Monthly Pass 21.50 $
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) 0.80 $
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) 0.29 $
Gasoline (1 liter) 0.79 $

Utilities:

Basic (Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage): 56.84 $
1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local: 0.27 $
Internet (6 Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) 33.41 $

Sports And Leisure:

Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult 66.82 $
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat 4.72 $
 
Clothing:

1 Pair of Levis 501 (Or Equivalent) 54.18 $
1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store 42.51 $
1 Pair of Nike Shoes 88.10 $
1 Pair of Men Leather Shoes 95.88 $
 
Rent:

Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre 454.42 $
Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre 308.36 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre 1,119.53 $
Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre 743.73 $
 
Salaries:

Median Monthly Disposable Salary (After Tax) 742.91 $

If you'll be working at one of the main schools that recruits internationally (ASF, Greengates, Eton, Edron, Churchill - there may be a few others but those are the ones I'm familiar with) you will be fine on their salaries.

If you are living on only one salary it will be a little tight. OK, but not a lot of extra cash to work with. However, if you're in this position, your spouse/partner could get a gig teaching English in companies (super easy to get such a job). That would give you a comfortable 10,000 peso cushion to work with.

If you are BOTH hired at one of the above-mentioned schools, you'd be sitting pretty.

Here's my monthly breakdown in pesos. However, the costs listed below are just for me (one person).

After-tax take home pay= 24,000

2 bedroom apartment in a nice area and utilities: 9000 - I pay half, so 4500
Public transportation and taxis: 400 (I take taxis more than I need to)
Groceries: 800
Eating out: 2000 (I eat out WAY more than I should, really.)
Once-a-week cleaning lady: 800
Necessary expenses (toiletries, prescriptions, etc): 1000
Cell: 500

That adds up to 10,000. I could spend less, but I don't.

I usually spend another 4000 or so on frivolous things, trips and clothes, and then save about 10,000 pesos a month.