🙂A single person spends $645 per month in An Najaf vs $1,677 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $976 per month in An Najaf vs $2,608 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,306 per month in An Najaf vs $3,540 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂An Najaf is about 62% cheaper than Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊An Najaf sits 53% below the global median, while Mexico City is 22% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.64IQD 6,078
$12.14MX$206
-61.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.62IQD 29.6K
$53.9MX$914
-58.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.85IQD 6,350
$11.09MX$188
-56.27%
Cappuccino
$2.48IQD 3,251
$4.10MX$69.5
-39.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37IQD 482
$1.68MX$28.53
-77.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26IQD 343
$1.39MX$23.55
-81.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.91IQD 5,120
$3.33MX$56.5
17.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97IQD 2,586
$5.88MX$99.7
-66.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.03IQD 1,346
$1.85MX$31.41
-44.32%
White Bread(500g)
$0.82IQD 1,077
$3.17MX$53.8
-74.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57IQD 2,052
$2.07MX$35.13
-24.15%
Eggs
$1.65IQD 2,160
$2.93MX$49.67
-43.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.71IQD 4,853
$12.59MX$214
-70.53%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.73IQD 6,201
$10.11MX$172
-53.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73IQD 14.1K
$16.09MX$273
-33.31%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18IQD 1,546
$3.39MX$57.5
-65.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.07IQD 1,399
$2.08MX$35.26
-48.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.01IQD 1,324
$2.12MX$35.97
-52.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.73IQD 963
$2.41MX$40.95
-69.71%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65IQD 850
$2.13MX$36.11
-69.48%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64IQD 835
$2.01MX$34.02
-68.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67IQD 875
$1.55MX$26.21
-56.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53IQD 696
$1.36MX$23.15
-61.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.69IQD 2,219
$5.77MX$97.8
-70.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.64IQD 17.9K
$17.74MX$301
-23.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.23IQD 2,924
$2.07MX$35.11
7.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25IQD 2,948
$4.61MX$78.3
-51.19%
🚌 Getting Around
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33IQD 428
$0.37MX$6.21
-10.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$21.18MX$359
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.54IQD 2,018
$2.05MX$34.84
-24.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.49IQD 1,951
$0.58MX$9.79
156.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.31IQD 6,958
$6.07MX$103
-12.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.45IQD 588
$1.55MX$26.34
-70.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.8KIQD 15.5M
$22.9KMX$388.1K
-48.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.0KIQD 23.6M
$27.2KMX$462.0K
-33.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$38.16IQD 50.0K
$67.4MX$1,144
-43.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.66IQD 21.8K
$30.62MX$520
-45.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.30IQD 48.8K
$37.24MX$632
0.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.91IQD 37.9K
$61.5MX$1,043
-52.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$27.12MX$460
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.36IQD 12.3K
$7.11MX$121
31.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$168IQD 219.9K
$456MX$7,739
-63.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$917IQD 1.2M
$13.7KMX$232.3K
-93.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.14IQD 21.1K
$74.2MX$1,259
-78.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.01IQD 35.4K
$57.0MX$967
-52.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.2IQD 93.2K
$115MX$1,958
-38.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.90IQD 62.7K
$122MX$2,061
-60.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$258IQD 337.8K
$1,148MX$19.5K
-77.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$140IQD 183.4K
$709MX$12.0K
-80.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$335IQD 438.1K
$2,577MX$43.7K
-87.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$204IQD 266.7K
$1,295MX$22.0K
-84.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,263IQD 1.7M
$4,005MX$67.9K
-68.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$488IQD 638.5K
$2,130MX$36.1K
-77.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$729IQD 954.1K
$1,082MX$18.4K
-32.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.12
11.3
-63.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for An Najaf: September 7, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $258 in An Najaf 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 49% higher in Mexico City, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in An Najaf versus $54.0 in Mexico City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $174 vs $345 – making An Najaf 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
An Najaf vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, An Najaf or Mexico City?
Mexico City costs about 160% more than An Najaf, 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 An Najaf and in Mexico City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $968 per month in An Najaf 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, An Najaf or Mexico City?
Rent is clearly cheaper in An Najaf, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in An Najaf compared to Mexico City?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $645 in An Najaf and $1,677 in Mexico City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in An Najaf and in Mexico City?
Kindergarten costs $168 per month in An Najaf and $456 in Mexico City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in An Najaf or in Mexico City?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in An Najaf, where all-in costs run around $645, than in Mexico City at $1,677. In An Najaf 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, An Najaf or Mexico City?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. An Najaf costs $645 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 An Najaf 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 An Najaf or to Mexico City?
If budget matters most, go with An Najaf. 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.