Durango, Mexico

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Durango, Mexico

Reviewed by Kathleen Peddicord

Kathleen is the Live and Invest Overseas Founding Publisher. She has more than 30 years of hands-on experience traveling, living, and buying property around the world.


Durango, is the capital of the Durango State, and the State’s largest city. It is set in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, which provide the majestic backdrop to the desert. Although the mountains tower above the city, it is worth remembering that Durango is 1880 meters above sea level. This makes it far cooler than much of Mexico with locals enjoying a moderate climate. Be warned though, it is very easy to get sun burned at this altitude, especially as you don’t feel the heat as intensely as on lower ground.

Durango is a sleepy, slow town best known as the location where hundreds of western movies were shot. If you find yourself with a sense of déjà vu here, this is probably the reason. Currently Durango is fairly off the radar to most expats. Those who do come here enjoy an authentic lifestyle and most integrate easily into the local community.

Durango is a University City and the throngs of students lend it a positive and forward thinking atmosphere. As well as the University, there Durango has a well-regarded American school providing private education to those who prefer to follow the U.S. curriculum. Many children of expats end up here making it the place to go if you want to meet up with fellow expats.

Unlike some parts of Mexico, Durango is a clean and tidy city. The people are proud of their cobbled streets and you will not find the litter here which can be prevalent elsewhere. This allows Durango, and especially its historic center, to shine more brightly than other Mexican cities.

The historic center in Durango has many of the oldest buildings in Northern Mexico. The star attraction is the Baroque-Churrigueresque cathedral is a neoclassical building with two bell towers which ring out throughout the day. The inside of the cathedral is home to a variety of religious paintings and the outside is illuminated at night.

Durango has a number of excellent museums which celebrate all aspects of Mexican history and regularly host art exhibitions. Durango has a fascinating history and the museums do a good job of bringing this past to life.

For the best way to see Durango take a trip on the cable car for a sweeping, panoramic view of the whole city. Keep an eye open for the any mysterious goings on while you are up there, Durango has the reputation of being Mexico’s own ‘Bermuda Triangle’ and many strange things have been reported over the years.

Like Colombia, Mexico continues to get a very negative write up in the press and there are frequent travel warnings and horror stories reported on the news networks. It is important to remember that there are bad areas everywhere, and the U.S. has some of the worst in the world. Providing you are not involved in drug trafficking, you have little to fear. You can easily find out which areas you should avoid by speaking with locals or basic research online.

The Cost Of Living In Durango, Mexico

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Apartment Or House Ownership Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
MortgageNot included here, as too variable.
HOA FeesMXN 2,000
Property TaxesMXN 173.50
TransportationMXN 2,100This is for normal travel around town, rather than a worker’s commute.
Gas (domestic)MXN 322When used for cooking and hot water.
ElectricityMXN 505Without AC.
WaterMXN 93Rate for 2021.
Cell PhoneMXN 200Service from Telcel, includes calls to US and Canada. Includes data package.
InternetMXN 399From TelMex, cheaper if you get package with phone.
Cable TVMXN 329From MegaCable, 91 channels TV with 50 channels music.
Household HelpMXN 0If a full-time maid is required, add MXN 248 per day, minimum (not live-in).
EntertainmentMXN 6,686Gym, 2 movies, 2 theatre visits, 8 dinners out, and 8 coffee shop visits.
GroceriesMXN 5,000
Gym MembershipMXN 250
Medical AppointmentMXN 500
TOTALMXN 18,557

Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
RentMXN 10,000Three bedroom, unfurnished house in Jardines, 217 square meters.
TransportationMXN 2,100This is for normal travel about town, rather than a worker’s commute.
GasMXN 322When used for cooking and hot water.
ElectricityMXN 505Without AC.
WaterMXN 93Rate for 2021
Cell PhoneMXN 200Service from Telcel, includes calls to US and Canada. Includes data package.
InternetMXN 399From TelMex, cheaper if you get package with phone.
Cable TVMXN 329From MegaCable, 91 channels TV with 50 channels music.
Household HelpMXN 0If a full-time maid is required, add MXN 248 per day, minimum (not live-in).
EntertainmentMXN 6,680Gym, 2 movies, 2 theatre visits, 8 dinners out, and 2 coffee shop visits.
GroceriesMXN 5,000
Gym MembershipMXN 250
Medical AppointmentMXN 500
TOTALMXN 26,378

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Penny-Pincher’s Budget (Bare Minimum Costs, For A Couple)

ExpenseMonthly CostsNotes
RentMXN 5,500One-bedroom apartment.
TransportationMXN 1,500This is for normal travel about town, rather than a worker’s commute.
GasMXN 322
ElectricityMXN 505Including electric heating but not air conditioning, clothes dryer, or dishwasher use.
WaterMXN 93Including washing machine use.
Cell PhoneMXN 150From Telcel, limited data plan.
InternetMXN 399
Cable TVMXN 329
EntertainmentMXN 4,618Gym, 1 movie, 2 theater visits, 4 dinners out, and 8 coffee shop visits.
GroceriesMXN 3,500All local-brand items only, shopping at markets and grocery stores.
TOTALMXN 16,916

Using A U.S. or Canadian Car In Mexico (Monthly Costs)

Registration in MexicoAssuming a U.S. or Canadian Vehicle
Insurance in MexicoMXN 2,004.00Based on six-month policy for a foreign vehicle
Registration in home countryMXN 688.33Using U.S. national average
Insurance in home countryMXN 2,409.17Using U.S. national verage
MaintenanceMXN 500.00
FuelMXN 331.60Includes 20 gallons of gas per month
Car Total, MonthlyMXN 5,933.10Price based on non-communing use

Owning a Mexican Car (Monthly Costs)

Car registrationMXN 791.67For 455,000 peso (US$22,000) vehicle registered in Sinaloa
InsuranceMXN 795.58Based on one-year policy for Sinaloa vehicle
MaintenanceMXN 500.00
FuelMXN 331.60Includes 20 gallons of gas per month
Car Total, MonthlyMXN 2,388.85Price based on non-communing use

Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.

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