🙂A single person spends $673 per month in An Najaf vs $1,467 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $993 per month in An Najaf vs $2,371 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,313 per month in An Najaf vs $3,274 in Mexico City, rent included.
🙂An Najaf is about 54% cheaper than Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊An Najaf sits 50% below the global median, while Mexico City is 10% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.17IQD 5,458
$13.18MX$228
-68.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.52IQD 29.5K
$53.9MX$932
-58.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.87IQD 6,383
$9.42MX$163
-48.30%
Cappuccino
$2.72IQD 3,565
$3.55MX$61.4
-23.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37IQD 481
$1.62MX$27.98
-77.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18IQD 232
$1.11MX$19.27
-83.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48IQD 4,562
$3.12MX$54.0
11.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78IQD 3,646
$4.63MX$80.1
-39.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.33IQD 1,735
$1.70MX$29.43
-21.76%
White Bread(500g)
$0.79IQD 1,040
$2.72MX$47.02
-70.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61IQD 2,107
$1.91MX$33.07
-15.71%
Eggs
$1.80IQD 2,358
$2.54MX$43.86
-29.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.32IQD 3,042
$10.03MX$174
-76.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.91IQD 6,436
$8.09MX$140
-39.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.51IQD 13.8K
$11.62MX$201
-9.55%
Apples(1kg)
$1.24IQD 1,617
$2.97MX$51.3
-58.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.15IQD 1,511
$1.81MX$31.24
-36.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.06IQD 1,386
$2.01MX$34.82
-47.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75IQD 986
$2.03MX$35.20
-63.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.65IQD 849
$2.12MX$36.75
-69.34%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68IQD 890
$2.27MX$39.25
-70.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66IQD 862
$1.40MX$24.22
-52.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40IQD 521
$1.13MX$19.55
-64.60%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.50IQD 1,966
$4.27MX$73.9
-64.87%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.34IQD 17.5K
$15.56MX$269
-14.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84IQD 2,410
$1.76MX$30.39
4.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07IQD 2,708
$3.60MX$62.2
-42.50%
🚌 Getting Around
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36IQD 478
$0.38MX$6.62
-5.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.76IQD 44.2K
$19.18MX$332
76.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.94IQD 2,544
$1.38MX$23.79
40.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.54IQD 2,012
$0.28MX$4.78
450.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.02IQD 6,572
$5.45MX$94.2
-7.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.44IQD 579
$1.30MX$22.55
-66.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.6KIQD 15.2M
$18.7KMX$323.2K
-38.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.1KIQD 26.3M
$23.1KMX$400.1K
-13.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$59.9IQD 78.4K
$40.86MX$707
46.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.72IQD 29.7K
$26.81MX$464
-15.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.90IQD 45.7K
$29.96MX$518
16.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.23IQD 38.3K
$52.0MX$900
-43.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.76IQD 19.3K
$26.84MX$464
-45.01%
Cinema Ticket
$7.68IQD 10.1K
$6.30MX$109
21.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$164IQD 215.1K
$436MX$7,544
-62.33%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$923IQD 1.2M
$10.4KMX$180.2K
-91.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$16.28IQD 21.3K
$56.7MX$980
-71.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.86IQD 32.6K
$44.38MX$768
-43.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.8IQD 84.8K
$103MX$1,780
-37.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.67IQD 55.9K
$106MX$1,825
-59.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$240IQD 314.8K
$1,022MX$17.7K
-76.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$134IQD 175.4K
$631MX$10.9K
-78.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$386IQD 505.3K
$2,136MX$36.9K
-81.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150IQD 196.5K
$1,243MX$21.5K
-87.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,232IQD 1.6M
$3,903MX$67.5K
-68.43%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$481IQD 630.0K
$2,064MX$35.7K
-76.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
An Najaf
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$748IQD 978.9K
$1,115MX$19.3K
-32.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.67
11.34
-50.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for An Najaf: June 1, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $240 in An Najaf versus $1,022 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: $170 vs $288 – 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 118% 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 vs Mexico City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,009 per month in An Najaf and $2,201 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 $673 in An Najaf and $1,467 in Mexico City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in An Najaf vs Mexico City?
Public transport costs about 76% less in An Najaf. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in An Najaf or Mexico City?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in An Najaf, where all-in costs run around $673, than in Mexico City at $1,467. 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 $673 versus $1,467 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 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.