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Cost of Living in Mexico City

Mexico City, Ciudad de México, Mexico · Population 21,804,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs Mexico average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$12,286 ($664)
Couple, monthly$22,069 ($1,193)
Family of four, monthly$28,795 ($1,556)

Estimated Prices in Mexico City

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$123 ($6.63)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$491 ($26.52)per meal
Cappuccino$36.80 ($1.99)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$2,780 ($150)per month
Monthly public transport pass$450 ($24.31)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$1,186 ($64.09)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$343 ($18.56)per month
Fitness club membership$343 ($18.56)per month
Cinema ticket$89.95 ($4.86)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$5,906 ($319)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$4,109 ($222)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$12,327 ($666)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Mexico City is $18,038 ($975) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $12,286 ($664) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $15,972 ($863) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($4,109 ($222)) represents about 33% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Mexico City

Mexico City vs GuadalajaraMexico City vs MonterreyMexico City vs San Luis PotosíMexico City vs TolucaMexico City vs TijuanaMexico City vs Ecatepec

Nearby Cities

Ciudad Nezahualcóyotl

14 km away · México

Nezahualcóyotl

15 km away · México

Naucalpan de Juárez

17 km away · México

La Peña

20 km away · México

La Magdalena Chichicaspa

21 km away · México

Chimalhuacán

21 km away · México

Tlalnepantla

21 km away · México

Xico

22 km away · México

Other Major Cities in Mexico

Guadalajara

Jalisco · pop. 5,525,000

$12,081 ($653) / mo

Monterrey

Nuevo León · pop. 5,324,281

$12,081 ($653) / mo

San Luis Potosí

San Luis Potosí · pop. 2,822,255

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Toluca

México · pop. 2,476,689

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Tijuana

Baja California · pop. 2,002,000

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Ecatepec

México · pop. 1,655,015

$10,657 ($576) / mo

León de los Aldama

Guanajuato · pop. 1,579,803

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Puebla

Puebla · pop. 1,576,259

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Living in Mexico City

Mexico City is the capital and one of the key cities in Mexico. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $12,286 ($664), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $4,109 ($222) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $28,795 ($1,556) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $22,069 ($1,193) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Mexico City is $18,038 ($975). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $15,972 ($863) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mexico City expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $12,286 ($664) per month in Mexico City including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for Mexico.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Mexico City?
A net salary of around $15,972 ($863) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Mexico City with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Mexico City is $18,038 ($975).
How much is rent in Mexico City?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $5,906 ($319) per month in the city centre and $4,109 ($222) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $12,327 ($666).
Is Mexico City cheaper than Mexico on average?
No — Mexico City is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the Mexico average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in Mexico City?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $2,780 ($150) in Mexico City. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $123 ($7) and a cappuccino runs around $37 ($2).
How do transport costs in Mexico City compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Mexico City is estimated at $450 ($24). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Mexico City are estimates based on Mexico national averages adjusted for city size (population 21,804,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.