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Jalpa, Zacatecas

Mexico · Comprehensive city data and intelligence

76
Overall Score

Jalpa is a vibrant municipality and town located in the southern part of the state of Zacatecas, Mexico, nestled in the Juchipila River valley. Known for its rich colonial history, traditional architecture, and welcoming community spirit, it serves as an important commercial and cultural hub for the region. Many people are drawn to Jalpa for its scenic landscapes, pleasant year-round climate, and authentic Mexican pueblo charm.

About Zacatecas

Zacatecas, located in north-central Mexico, is known for its rich colonial history, stunning Baroque architecture, and significant mining heritage, particularly silver. The economy is primarily driven by mining, manufacturing, and agriculture, with Zacatecas being a major producer of silver, lead, and zinc. Living in Zacatecas generally offers a lower cost of living compared to the national average in Mexico, with affordable housing and utilities. The climate is varied, with warm, dry valley areas and temperate mountain regions, and the lifestyle is often described as slower-paced with a rich cultural scene.

25,000
Population
$7K
Avg Salary
38
Cost Index
76.0
Quality Score
How this 76/100 was calculated five components, with every reading behind them
Component Readings used Points Weight Contributes
Safety Safety score: 65 / 100 65.0 30% 19.5
Affordability Cost of living index (100 = national baseline): 38.0 100.0 25% 25.0
Economy & jobs Median household income: $9,500 Income needed to live here: $4,800 Unemployment rate: 3.5% 90.6 20% 18.1
Growth Population growth rate: 0.8% Job growth rate: 1.5% 47.5 15% 7.1
Business climate assessment Business climate assessment: 62 / 100 62.0 10% 6.2
Overall score 76.0

Provenance. These figures were produced by the research pass recorded as Tier 1 (fast) (q=52, partial — below threshold), last refreshed 15 October 2026. They are researched estimates drawn from public sources, not a licensed data feed.

Each component is scored against fixed published endpoints, so this number is comparable with any other city and does not move as the dataset grows. Scoring framework 2026.10 — full methodology, weights and accepted ranges.

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Quality Scores

Business
62
Livability
74
Affordability
85
Growth
65

Cost of Living

The cost of living in Jalpa is notably lower than major metropolitan areas in Mexico and significantly below US averages, making it an attractive destination for retirees and remote workers. Everyday expenses such as fresh local produce, dining out, and basic services remain very affordable, though imported goods can slightly increase grocery budgets. Housing costs, whether renting or purchasing local real estate, offer substantial value compared to larger Mexican cities.

Average Rent
$350/mo
Groceries
$220/mo
Transport
$60/mo
Utilities
$65/mo
Healthcare
$80/mo
Gym membership (monthly)
$25.00
Cinema ticket
$6.00
Restaurant meal (mid-range)
$12.00
Monthly groceries
$180.00
Doctor visit (without insurance)
$30.00

Salary Insights

Jalpa's economy is largely driven by agriculture, particularly the production of guavas, corn, and chili peppers, alongside local commerce, remittances from family members working abroad, and growing regional tourism. While corporate remote work infrastructure is expanding, local employment tends to concentrate in traditional trade, farming, education, and small-scale manufacturing. Entrepreneurial opportunities exist for those looking to tap into local agriculture value chains or services supporting the returning diaspora.

The average salary in Jalpa is $6,500 per year. You would need approximately $4,800 to live comfortably.

Top Industries

Construction +1.80% Agriculture +1.20% Tourism and Hospitality +2.50% Retail and Commerce +2.00% Education and Public Services +1.00%

Climate

🌡️
23°C
Avg Temp
☀️
30°C
Summer High
❄️
12°C
Winter Low
🌧️
23.30"
Annual Rain
💧
58.00%
Humidity
🌤️
288
Sunny Days

Transport

Getting around Jalpa is primarily done on foot within the compact downtown area, supplemented by local taxis and regional buses connecting to Zacatecas and Guadalajara. Car ownership is common for regional travel and accessing rural agricultural zones outside the immediate town center. Traffic congestion is generally minimal compared to major urban centers, though central market streets can get busy on weekends.

18 min
Avg Commute
45.00/10
Transit Score
68.00/10
Walkability
Medium
Car Dependency

Pros & Cons

Advantages
Significantly lower cost of living and housing expenses compared to major Mexican cities and the US
Favorable warm climate with high number of sunny days annually
Strong sense of community and rich cultural traditions centered around local festivals
Scenic valley location offering a peaceful environment and outdoor lifestyle
High affordability for fresh local produce and everyday dining
Drawbacks
Limited local job market outside of agriculture, commerce, and traditional services
Specialized healthcare requires travel to larger regional cities like Aguascalientes
Limited public transit infrastructure requiring reliance on personal vehicles or regional buses
Economic reliance on remittances and seasonal agricultural cycles
Higher speed internet availability can be inconsistent in outlying rural areas

Questions about Jalpa

What people ask about living in and moving to Jalpa, Zacatecas.

Gathering the most common questions about Jalpa…

Frequently Asked Questions

The consumer market basket tracks everyday necessities, including staple grocery items (such as milk, bread, eggs, and produce), residential energy bills (electricity, gas, and water), public and private transit costs, routine outpatient medical care, and standard consumer goods and services to ensure a representative monthly budget.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Even in close geographic proximity, local tax jurisdictions, municipal utility rates, zoning laws, and micro-housing markets can create wide cost discrepancies. For example, a city with strict land-use regulations or higher local sales taxes will typically exhibit elevated housing and consumer goods costs compared to an adjacent county with looser zoning and lower tax burdens.

Local tax climates significantly shift a city's affordability score by directly affecting disposable income. Urblytica factors in state income tax brackets, local municipal property tax millage rates, and combined sales taxes to measure the true tax drag on median household earnings.

Core economic indexes and consumer price metrics undergo a comprehensive quarterly recalibration. This update cycle integrates the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) releases, municipal utility rate adjustments, and regional housing data feeds to ensure all index comparisons reflect current economic conditions.

Housing is weighted as the single largest component in Urblytica's cost-of-living algorithm, typically accounting for roughly 30% to 35% of the composite score. It incorporates both median monthly gross rent and median single-family home purchase prices relative to local median income levels.

Normalization involves adjusting raw economic inputs against localized purchasing power parities (PPPs) and population-weighted density scales. This ensures fair, apples-to-apples comparisons between dense metropolitan hubs and smaller suburban or rural towns.

Utility indexing applies a rolling annual average that captures seasonal climate variations, such as increased summer air conditioning loads in southern climates or heavier winter heating demands in northern regions, providing a realistic year-round average utility expense.

Remote workers leverage the index to calculate real purchasing power parity when moving from a high-cost-of-living area to a lower-cost region. By comparing index differentials against their fixed salary, users can determine if their net savings and lifestyle quality will improve post-relocation.

While the raw Cost of Living Index measures pure expense levels, it is frequently paired with Urblytica’s local wage index and median household income benchmarks. This combined view highlights whether local salaries keep pace with local consumer goods and housing expenses.

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