The short answer
Most estimates for one person land between about $1,000 and $2,000 a month, and the spread is mostly rent. Combining the sources below, a planning range for a single person renting a modest apartment is roughly $1,200 to $1,600 a month; a couple should plan closer to $2,000. Oceanfront housing pushes both numbers up.
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What the published numbers say
| Source | One person | Couple |
|---|---|---|
| Citycost (updated August 2026) | $1,242 with rent $793 without rent | $2,002 with rent $1,405 without rent |
| Livingcost.net | About MX$7,500 a month without rent | n/a |
| Expat-focused guides | Many expats report living comfortably on about $1,000 to $1,500 | n/a |
Currency conversions move with the exchange rate. Treat every row as a range, not a quote.
Rent is the swing factor
A March 2026 cost check puts a modest one-bedroom apartment at roughly $400 to $700 a month in Rosarito and Ensenada. Some guides quote $400 to $1,000 for a one-bedroom, depending on the building and how close it is to the water. Oceanfront rentals can climb past $1,000, especially for larger homes with Pacific views.
What is cheap, and what is not
- Routine dental care is the classic example: one 2026 cost table lists a cleaning at $30 to $50.
- Coastal rent is the line that moves fastest. Several 2026 write-ups say the "dirt cheap Baja" years are behind us.
What these figures leave out
- Health insurance (see healthcare).
- Trips back to the US, and a car if you keep one.
- Visa fees and one-time moving costs (see residency).
- Taxes. Talk to a cross-border tax professional.
Sources
- Citycost: Cost of Living in Rosarito (updated August 2026)
- Livingcost.net: Cost of Living in Rosarito
- Gringo Gazette North: Is Baja Still Cheap for Expats? (March 2026)
- Expat Exchange: Rosarito, Mexico
Figures from third-party sources vary and age quickly; we show ranges and name the source so you can check it.