Cost of Living Comparison Between Arica and Mexico City Cost of Living Comparison Between Arica and Mexico City

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $118 per month in Arica vs $1,677 in Mexico City, rent included.

A couple spends around $187 per month in Arica vs $2,608 in Mexico City, rent included.

A family of three spends $256 per month in Arica vs $3,540 in Mexico City, rent included.

Arica is about 93% cheaper than Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Arica sits 91% below the global median, while Mexico City is 22% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.14 MX$206

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.9 MX$916

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.09 MX$188

Cappuccino

$4.10 MX$69.6

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 MX$28.57

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.25 CLP 1,179

$1.39 MX$23.58

-10.07%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.33 MX$56.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.88 MX$99.9

Milk (1 liter)

$1.08 CLP 1,019

$1.85 MX$31.45

-41.62%

White Bread (500g)

$3.17 MX$53.9

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.07 MX$35.18

Eggs

$2.93 MX$49.74

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.59 MX$214

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.11 MX$172

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.09 MX$273

Apples (1kg)

$3.39 MX$57.6

Banana (1kg)

$2.08 MX$35.31

Oranges (1kg)

$2.12 MX$36.02

Tomato (1kg)

$2.41 MX$41.01

Potato (1kg)

$2.13 MX$36.17

Onion (1kg)

$2.01 MX$34.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.55 MX$26.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.36 MX$23.19

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.77 MX$98.0

Wine (Bottle)

$17.74 MX$301

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 MX$35.16

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.61 MX$78.4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.78 CLP 732

$0.37 MX$6.21

110.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.18 MX$360

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.05 MX$34.89

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 MX$9.80

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.07 MX$103

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 MX$26.38

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.9K MX$388.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$27.2K MX$462.7K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$67.4 MX$1,145

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$30.62 MX$520

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.24 MX$633

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.5 MX$1,044

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.12 MX$461

Cinema Ticket

$7.11 MX$121

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$456 MX$7,750

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.7K MX$232.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$42.31 CLP 39.8K

$74.2 MX$1,260

-42.97%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$21.01 CLP 19.8K

$57.0 MX$969

-63.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.4 CLP 53.1K

$115 MX$1,961

-51.10%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$96.9 CLP 91.2K

$122 MX$2,064

-20.25%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,148 MX$19.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$709 MX$12.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,577 MX$43.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,295 MX$22.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,005 MX$68.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,130 MX$36.2K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$539 CLP 507.4K

$1,082 MX$18.4K

-50.18%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.3

-55.75%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Arica: September 7, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 101% higher in Mexico City, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Arica vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $118 in Arica, $1,677 in Mexico City – roughly 1316% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $178 per month in Arica and $2,515 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $118 in Arica and $1,677 in Mexico City. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 3083% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $118, than in Mexico City at $1,677. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $118 in Arica to $1,677 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. 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.