🙂A single person spends $1,046 per month in Abha vs $1,677 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,746 per month in Abha vs $2,608 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,446 per month in Abha vs $3,540 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂Abha is about 38% cheaper than Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Abha sits 24% below the global median, while Mexico City is 22% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.38SAR 20.20
$12.14MX$206
-55.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.2SAR 192
$53.9MX$914
-5.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.28SAR 27.33
$11.09MX$188
-34.36%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.62SAR 6.08
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29SAR 4.86
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.09SAR 11.62
$4.10MX$69.5
-24.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63SAR 2.36
$1.68MX$28.53
-62.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22SAR 0.82
$1.39MX$23.55
-84.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.33MX$56.5
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.88MX$99.7
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62SAR 6.07
$1.85MX$31.41
-12.43%
White Bread(500g)
$0.63SAR 2.38
$3.17MX$53.8
-80.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.99SAR 7.46
$2.07MX$35.13
-3.86%
Eggs
$3.19SAR 11.99
$2.93MX$49.67
8.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.47SAR 16.80
$12.59MX$214
-64.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.53SAR 28.26
$10.11MX$172
-25.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.60SAR 69.8
$16.09MX$273
15.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.08SAR 7.81
$3.39MX$57.5
-38.64%
Banana(1kg)
$1.99SAR 7.49
$2.08MX$35.26
-4.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55SAR 5.83
$2.12MX$35.97
-26.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.61SAR 6.06
$2.41MX$40.95
-33.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.17SAR 8.14
$2.13MX$36.11
1.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.26SAR 4.73
$2.01MX$34.02
-37.31%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.35SAR 1.30
$1.55MX$26.21
-77.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51SAR 1.93
$1.36MX$23.15
-62.50%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$4.37SAR 16.41
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23SAR 4.60
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49SAR 5.61
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.13SAR 34.28
$5.77MX$97.8
58.23%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$17.74MX$301
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.07MX$35.11
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.61MX$78.3
-
🚌 Getting Around
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.80SAR 3.00
$0.37MX$6.21
116.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.27SAR 132
$21.18MX$359
66.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.99SAR 11.23
$2.05MX$34.84
45.85%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.69SAR 10.12
$0.58MX$9.79
363.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.00SAR 48.82
$6.07MX$103
114.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.26
$1.55MX$26.34
-61.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.1KSAR 169.2K
$22.9KMX$388.1K
96.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.5KSAR 73.1K
$27.2KMX$462.0K
-28.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.1SAR 331
$67.4MX$1,144
30.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.07SAR 139
$30.62MX$520
21.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$78.0SAR 293
$37.24MX$632
109.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$90.3SAR 339
$61.5MX$1,043
46.86%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$44.44SAR 167
$27.12MX$460
63.86%
Cinema Ticket
$16.08SAR 60.4
$7.11MX$121
126.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$206SAR 774
$456MX$7,739
-54.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,231SAR 15.9K
$13.7KMX$232.3K
-69.10%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.71SAR 115
$74.2MX$1,259
-58.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$71.7SAR 269
$57.0MX$967
25.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$96.1SAR 361
$115MX$1,958
-16.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$66.9SAR 251
$122MX$2,061
-44.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$306SAR 1,150
$1,148MX$19.5K
-73.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$252SAR 945
$709MX$12.0K
-64.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$537SAR 2,016
$2,577MX$43.7K
-79.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$563SAR 2,113
$1,295MX$22.0K
-56.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$945SAR 3,549
$4,005MX$67.9K
-76.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,315SAR 4,940
$2,130MX$36.1K
-38.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abha
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,238SAR 8,405
$1,082MX$18.4K
106.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
11.3
-46.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abha: September 7, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $306 in Abha versus $1,148 in Mexico City. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 107% higher in Abha, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Abha versus $54.0 in Mexico City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $203 vs $345 – making Abha the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abha vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Abha or Mexico City?
Mexico City costs about 60% more than Abha, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Abha and in Mexico City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,570 per month in Abha and $2,515 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Abha or Mexico City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abha, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Abha or in Mexico City?
Groceries cost about 70% more in Mexico City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Abha and in Mexico City?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $51.0 in Abha and $54.0 in Mexico City. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Abha or in Mexico City?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Abha, where all-in costs run around $1,046, than in Mexico City at $1,677. In Abha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Abha or Mexico City?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Abha costs $1,046 versus $1,677 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Abha compared to Mexico City?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Abha or to Mexico City?
If budget matters most, go with Abha. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mexico City makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.