What does food cost?

Yes, it's cheaper to live in Mexico - but it's all relative.  The average teacher in 2005 only made about 8,150 pesos a month.  At today's exchange rate that's about $800 USD.  I've also heard of a lot of teachers who worked for free in order to "prove" themselves as they try to placed in schools.  

  Some other facts: the gross domestic product per capita in Mexico is $10,751 USD (Source: United Nations).   

     As a comparison, the USA GDP in 2007 was $45,800 (Source: CIA Fact Book).

    Basing a teacher's salary on a 10 month work-year, and assuming there was a slight raise in the average income (let's say 5% since 2005) the $8,400 USD earned would put 

Mexican teachers significantly below the GDP rate. 

    But what can you buy with $800 USD?  The 4 plants and 3 pots I bought last weekend for $4 USD.  The slew of veggies and fruit cost $7.80 USD.  Eating out will run you between $3.50 USD and $8, with a drink included.  Utilities are expensive.  For example, we pay  about 500 ($50 USD) pesos each month for a cable/internet combo, which is not much compared to the US but is 6% of your gross income if you are only making $800 a month.  That's a lot of money!   Compare that to a US individual who pays $100 a month for a cable/modem connection, but makes $3,000 a month: the cost is only 3% of his/her total income.