✦ Cost of living
Mexico City
Mexico City, Mexico
US = 100
In plain terms: Mexico City is about 36% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom in the centre runs around $800/month.
▤ Category breakdown
Index vs the US average — the line marks 100. Lower is cheaper.
- Housing60−40%
- Food & groceries65−35%
- Transport50−50%
- Utilities80−20%
- Healthcare65−35%
- Goods & services70−30%
Is Mexico City expensive?
No — Mexico City indexes at 64 against a US average of 100, about 36% below it. Rent is the line that moves most, and a US or Western European salary stretches noticeably further here.
Of the 87 cities we track, Mexico City ranks #71 by overall cost — 16 of them are cheaper.
What a month in Mexico City costs
One person
$1,740/mo
A one-bedroom outside the centre, modest everyday spending.
Couple
$2,550/mo
A one-bedroom in the centre, two adults sharing the bills.
Family of four
$4,520/mo
A three-bedroom in the centre, two adults and two children.
| Monthly line | One person | Couple | Family of four |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent | $550 | $800 | $1,600 |
| Food & groceries | $300 | $440 | $730 |
| Transport | $300 | $440 | $740 |
| Utilities | $160 | $240 | $400 |
| Healthcare | $180 | $270 | $450 |
| Goods & services | $250 | $360 | $600 |
| Total per month | $1,740 | $2,550 | $4,520 |
Estimates, not quotes. Rent comes from this city's own figures; every other line is a US-average household basket (shaped by the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey) scaled by this city's category index. Your own total moves with the neighbourhood, your habits and whether you run a car. How we calculate these figures →
Good to know before you move to Mexico City
A vast, vibrant capital with a perfect spring-like climate — a top nomad pick, though air and traffic bite.
- Currency
- Mexican peso ($ MXN)
- Languages
- Spanish
- Time zone
- UTC-6
- Internet
- 80 Mbps
- English
- Rarely spoken
- Safety
- 40/100
- Climate
- ❄ 14°C · ☀ 17°C · 240 sunny days/yr
- Tap water
- Bottled recommended
- Power
- A/B · 127V
- Driving
- Right-hand side
- Popular areas
- Roma · Condesa · Polanco
About
“CDMX”
A vast, vibrant capital with a perfect spring-like climate — a top nomad pick, though air and traffic bite.
- Currency
- Mexican peso · MXN
- Languages
- Spanish
- Coordinates
- 19.43, -99.13
- Emergency
- 911
What things cost
Housing
Taxes
35%
Income tax
progressive
16%
VAT / sales
30%
Corporate
$700
Avg net salary
per month
Visas & residency
Temporary Resident visa via income/savings; popular with nomads.
✈ 180-day tourist entry for many passports.
Income or savings proof; up to 4 years.
Permanent residence after ~4 yrs. Citizenship after ~5 yrs.
Quality of life
Quality of life
56/100
Safety
40/100
Healthcare
68/100
Pollution
75/100
Internet
80 Mbps
Jan avg
+14 °C
Jul avg
+17 °C
Sunny days
240/yr
Walkability
68/100
Public transit
70/100
Family-friendly
60/100
Living there
- English spoken
- Low
- Expat community
- Large
- Coworking spaces
- 70
- Tap water
- Not recommended
- Private health insurance
- $80/mo
Popular areas
Relocation & documents
Where to look
Updated: · Sources: Cost/quality survey (placeholder) · Economy: World Bank Open Data (GDP per capita, life expectancy, inflation) · Minimum wage (EU + Türkiye): Eurostat earn_mw_cur, 2026-S2 · Taxes: national tax authority / OECD (headline figures)
Can you live in Mexico City without a car?
69/100
Car-free score
68/100
Walkability
70/100
Public transport
Mostly — at 69/100, Mexico City handles everyday trips on foot and by public transport, but a car still helps for weekend trips, bulk shopping and anything outside the built-up core.
Transport in Mexico City indexes at 50 against a US average of 100 — about 50% cheaper than a typical US city. That line covers fares, fuel and running a vehicle, so it is the one that moves most when you drop the car.
Mexico City ranks #57 of 87 cities we track for walkability. See the most walkable cities →
The car-free score is our own composite: 60% walkability, 40% public transport, both on a 0–100 scale. Like the rest of our quality-of-life figures, they are calibrated estimates, not official statistics.
Cost of living in Mexico City — in your currency
- 1-bed rent, city centre$800
- 1-bed rent, outside centre$550
- Inexpensive meal$5
- Monthly transit pass$20
- Utilities (monthly)$60
Converted from USD at approximate rates (2026-09).
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? Frequently asked questions
Is Mexico City, MX expensive to live in?
Mexico City, MX's cost-of-living index is 64 (US average = 100) — about 36% cheaper than a typical US city — and it ranks #71 of the 87 cities we track. On our estimates one person needs around $1,740 a month and a family of four around $4,520, rent included.
How much does it cost to live in Mexico City, MX?
Mexico City, MX's cost-of-living index is 64 (US average = 100) — about 36% cheaper than a typical US city. A one-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around $800 per month.
What are the average living costs in Mexico City, MX?
Living costs in Mexico City, MX are about 36% cheaper than the US average — its cost-of-living index is 64 (US = 100). Monthly living expenses scale with that, and housing is the biggest line: a one-bedroom in the centre runs around $800. See the category breakdown above for where the money goes.
What is the average rent in Mexico City, MX?
A one-bedroom in the city centre averages about $800 per month, and around $550 outside the centre.
What taxes would I pay in Mexico?
Mexico has a top income-tax rate of 35% and a VAT or sales tax of 16%. See the taxes section above for the full breakdown.
What is the weather like in Mexico City, MX?
Mexico City, MX averages around +14 °C in January and +17 °C in July, with roughly 240 sunny days a year.
Is Mexico City, MX safe?
Mexico City, MX scores 40 out of 100 on our safety index, where higher means safer.
Can you live in Mexico City, MX without a car?
Mexico City, MX scores 69/100 on our car-free score — 68/100 for walkability and 70/100 for public transport. The higher the score, the more of daily life you can cover on foot or by transit instead of paying to run a car.
❖ Compare Mexico City with…
★ Ranked in
Estimates use approximate cost-of-living indices (US average = 100) and are for general guidance only.