😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,379 in Buchs versus $1,481 in Mexico City.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,057 in Buchs versus $2,352 in Mexico City.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,734 in Buchs versus $3,222 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Buchs is roughly 128% more expensive than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Buchs153% above, Mexico City11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.39CHF 23.93
$13.16MX$229
123.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$131CHF 106
$53.6MX$932
143.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.89CHF 9.68
$9.55MX$166
24.50%
Cappuccino
$3.57CHF 2.91
$3.72MX$64.8
-4.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52CHF 2.05
$1.57MX$27.28
60.51%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09CHF 1.70
$1.16MX$20.12
80.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.50CHF 3.66
$3.18MX$55.4
41.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.23CHF 4.26
$4.63MX$80.6
12.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75CHF 1.42
$1.71MX$29.67
2.34%
White Bread(500g)
$3.03CHF 2.47
$2.62MX$45.54
15.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.22CHF 3.43
$1.89MX$32.87
123.28%
Eggs
$5.07CHF 4.12
$2.60MX$45.17
95.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$30.56CHF 24.88
$9.91MX$172
208.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.87CHF 12.11
$8.22MX$143
80.90%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$50.6CHF 41.17
$11.78MX$205
329.20%
Apples(1kg)
$3.80CHF 3.10
$3.00MX$52.1
26.67%
Banana(1kg)
$2.04CHF 1.66
$1.80MX$31.32
13.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.85CHF 2.32
$2.07MX$36.08
37.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.46CHF 5.26
$1.97MX$34.23
227.92%
Potato(1kg)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$2.07MX$36.05
15.46%
Onion(1kg)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$2.17MX$37.84
10.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.68CHF 2.18
$1.40MX$24.41
91.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28CHF 1.04
$1.07MX$18.70
19.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.24CHF 9.15
$4.12MX$71.7
172.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.88CHF 10.48
$17.42MX$303
-26.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39CHF 1.94
$1.68MX$29.16
42.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30CHF 2.69
$3.65MX$63.5
-9.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.50CHF 2.04
$0.38MX$6.62
557.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$87.1CHF 70.9
$18.71MX$326
365.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.93CHF 6.46
$1.33MX$23.13
496.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.55CHF 2.89
$0.30MX$5.27
1083.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$89.5CHF 72.8
$5.51MX$95.9
1523.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.12CHF 1.73
$1.31MX$22.72
61.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.3KCHF 25.5K
$19.2KMX$333.5K
63.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KCHF 35.0K
$23.7KMX$413.3K
80.77%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$183CHF 149
$41.14MX$716
344.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.01CHF 35.02
$27.74MX$483
55.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.7CHF 45.32
$30.13MX$524
84.73%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$146CHF 119
$53.7MX$935
171.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.33CHF 14.11
$25.98MX$452
-33.29%
Cinema Ticket
$14.75CHF 12.01
$6.49MX$113
127.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,961CHF 2,411
$437MX$7,598
578.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$32.9KCHF 26.8K
$10.5KMX$182.0K
214.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$141CHF 115
$58.3MX$1,015
141.93%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$77.1CHF 62.7
$45.86MX$798
68.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133CHF 109
$101MX$1,765
31.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$159CHF 129
$107MX$1,854
48.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,850CHF 1,506
$1,005MX$17.5K
84.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,588CHF 1,293
$634MX$11.0K
150.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,744CHF 2,234
$2,148MX$37.4K
27.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,496CHF 2,032
$1,247MX$21.7K
100.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,859MX$67.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,085MX$36.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Buchs
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$8,815CHF 7,177
$1,072MX$18.7K
722.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2
11.34
-82.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Buchs: July 21, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: July 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,850 in Buchs and $1,005 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Buchs pays 722% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $131 in Buchs vs $54.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $560 vs $291 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.
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
Buchs vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Buchs and in Mexico City?
Buchs and Mexico City differ by about 128% in total monthly costs ($3,379 vs $1,481 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Buchs or Mexico City?
Average pay runs 722% higher in Buchs, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Buchs and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,850 in Buchs versus $1,005 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mexico City – a meal for two runs $54.0 versus $131 in Buchs. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Buchs or Mexico City?
All in, you'll spend $3,379 per month in Buchs versus $1,481 in Mexico City – a 128% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,481 in Mexico City versus $3,379 in Buchs, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Buchs. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Buchs and Mexico City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Buchs or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Buchs and Mexico City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Buchs or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 128% less than in Buchs. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.