Cost of Living Comparison Between Athens, TN and Mexico City Cost of Living Comparison Between Athens, TN and Mexico City

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $2,583 per month in Athens, TN vs $1,447 in Mexico City, rent included.

A couple spends around $3,630 per month in Athens, TN vs $2,310 in Mexico City, rent included.

A family of three spends $4,677 per month in Athens, TN vs $3,174 in Mexico City, rent included.

Athens, TN costs about 78% more than Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Athens, TN and Mexico City sit above the global median – Athens, TN by 92%, Mexico City by 8%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$21.64 $21.64

$12.98 MX$223

66.72%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.60 $34.60

$52.6 MX$903

-34.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.92 $8.92

$9.43 MX$162

-5.41%

Cappuccino

$3.03 $3.03

$3.57 MX$61.3

-15.13%

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

$1.95 $1.95

$1.61 MX$27.55

21.12%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.99 $1.99

$1.15 MX$19.81

73.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.35 $6.35

$3.15 MX$54.0

101.59%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$8.11 $8.11

$4.86 MX$83.4

66.87%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.04 $1.04

$1.70 MX$29.17

-38.82%

White Bread (500g)

$2.37 $2.37

$2.64 MX$45.23

-10.23%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$4.61 $4.61

$1.90 MX$32.67

142.63%

Eggs

$4.60 $4.60

$2.54 MX$43.62

81.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.61 $13.61

$10.08 MX$173

35.02%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.76 $6.76

$8.29 MX$142

-18.46%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.07 $11.07

$11.57 MX$199

-4.32%

Apples (1kg)

$4.30 $4.30

$3.03 MX$52.0

41.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.39 $1.39

$1.71 MX$29.35

-18.71%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.65 $4.65

$2.05 MX$35.16

126.83%

Tomato (1kg)

$4.03 $4.03

$2.06 MX$35.36

95.63%

Potato (1kg)

$3.72 $3.72

$2.06 MX$35.43

80.58%

Onion (1kg)

$3.47 $3.47

$2.17 MX$37.25

59.91%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.28 $2.28

$1.40 MX$24.08

62.86%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.86 $1.86

$1.12 MX$19.26

66.07%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$6.92 $6.92

$4.29 MX$73.7

61.31%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.73 $14.73

$15.41 MX$265

-4.41%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 $1.75

$1.67 MX$28.74

4.79%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.53 $1.53

$3.69 MX$63.3

-58.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.98 $1.98

$0.38 MX$6.55

421.05%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.06 MX$327

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.93 $2.93

$1.38 MX$23.70

112.32%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.52 $1.52

$0.28 MX$4.74

442.86%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$39.72 $39.72

$5.42 MX$92.9

632.84%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.87 $0.87

$1.28 MX$21.98

-32.03%

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

$32.2K $32.2K

$19.0K MX$325.8K

69.76%

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

$26.9K $26.9K

$23.5K MX$402.7K

14.79%

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

$239 $239

$41.02 MX$704

481.81%

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

$54.0 $54.0

$26.92 MX$462

100.67%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$56.4 $56.4

$29.69 MX$510

90.10%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.45 $43.45

$52.3 MX$898

-16.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.23 MX$450

Cinema Ticket

$8.22 $8.22

$6.18 MX$106

33.01%

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

$1,359 $1,359

$427 MX$7,331

218.28%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$29.8K $29.8K

$10.7K MX$183.6K

178.58%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$70.2 $70.2

$56.8 MX$975

23.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.02 $40.02

$44.83 MX$769

-10.73%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 $103

$105 MX$1,794

-1.83%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$129 $129

$106 MX$1,819

21.38%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,597 $1,597

$995 MX$17.1K

60.54%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,372 $1,372

$621 MX$10.7K

120.95%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,581 $2,581

$2,126 MX$36.5K

21.41%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,195 $2,195

$1,254 MX$21.5K

75.09%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,038 $2,038

$3,903 MX$67.0K

-47.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,041 $2,041

$2,096 MX$36.0K

-2.60%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$8,348 $8,348

$1,107 MX$19.0K

653.91%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.56

11.34

-42.15%

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

Last update for Athens, TN: June 6, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,597 in Athens, TN versus $995 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 654% higher in Athens, TN, 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 $35.00 in Athens, TN versus $53.0 in Mexico City. Groceries tell a different story – $338 in Athens, TN vs $288 in Mexico City – so Mexico City wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Athens, TN vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Athens, TN costs about 78% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,874 per month in Athens, TN and $2,171 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mexico City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Athens, TN and $53.0 in Mexico City. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Athens, TN, 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 Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,447, than in Athens, TN at $2,583. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Athens, TN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,447 versus $2,583 in Athens, TN. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Athens, TN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.