πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $1,447 in Mexico City.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,622 in Coquimbo versus $2,310 in Mexico City.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,176 in Coquimbo versus $3,174 in Mexico City.
πLiving in Coquimbo costs roughly 26% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Coquimbo is 20% below, Mexico City is 8% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66CLPΒ 7,783
$12.98MX$223
-33.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.66CLPΒ 40.1K
$52.6MX$903
-15.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.21CLPΒ 7,378
$9.43MX$162
-12.94%
Cappuccino
$2.72CLPΒ 2,441
$3.57MX$61.3
-23.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30CLPΒ 1,165
$1.61MX$27.55
-19.25%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02CLPΒ 915
$1.15MX$19.81
-11.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21CLPΒ 2,883
$3.15MX$54.0
1.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06CLPΒ 3,650
$4.86MX$83.4
-16.46%
π Groceries & Markets
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.06CLPΒ 950
$1.70MX$29.17
-37.65%
White Bread(500g)
$1.53CLPΒ 1,374
$2.64MX$45.23
-42.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.92CLPΒ 1,726
$1.90MX$32.67
1.05%
Eggs
$3.43CLPΒ 3,079
$2.54MX$43.62
35.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.34CLPΒ 9,295
$10.08MX$173
2.58%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.72CLPΒ 6,039
$8.29MX$142
-18.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79CLPΒ 9,695
$11.57MX$199
-6.74%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82CLPΒ 1,633
$3.03MX$52.0
-39.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.52CLPΒ 1,362
$1.71MX$29.35
-11.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55CLPΒ 1,391
$2.05MX$35.16
-24.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45CLPΒ 1,304
$2.06MX$35.36
-29.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,143
$2.06MX$35.43
-38.35%
Onion(1kg)
$1.42CLPΒ 1,277
$2.17MX$37.25
-34.56%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.27CLPΒ 1,141
$1.40MX$24.08
-9.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19CLPΒ 1,068
$1.12MX$19.26
6.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.51CLPΒ 4,950
$4.29MX$73.7
28.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.02CLPΒ 5,411
$15.41MX$265
-60.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.56CLPΒ 1,402
$1.67MX$28.74
-6.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21CLPΒ 1,988
$3.69MX$63.3
-40.11%
π Getting Around
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63CLPΒ 564
$0.38MX$6.55
65.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$19.06MX$327
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47CLPΒ 419
$1.38MX$23.70
-65.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.28MX$4.74
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.42MX$92.9
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37CLPΒ 1,235
$1.28MX$21.98
7.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6KCLPΒ 17.6M
$19.0KMX$325.8K
3.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.3KCLPΒ 19.1M
$23.5KMX$402.7K
-9.34%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$132CLPΒ 118.9K
$41.02MX$704
222.60%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.32CLPΒ 12.0K
$26.92MX$462
-50.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.78CLPΒ 19.6K
$29.69MX$510
-26.64%
π Sport & Entertainment
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$37.95CLPΒ 34.1K
$52.3MX$898
-27.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.29CLPΒ 19.1K
$26.23MX$450
-18.83%
Cinema Ticket
$5.81CLPΒ 5,222
$6.18MX$106
-5.99%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$438CLPΒ 394.0K
$427MX$7,331
2.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$10.7KMX$183.6K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6CLPΒ 46.4K
$56.8MX$975
-9.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.86CLPΒ 26.8K
$44.83MX$769
-33.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.1CLPΒ 55.8K
$105MX$1,794
-40.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.2CLPΒ 74.8K
$106MX$1,819
-21.47%
π Accommodation & Living
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$486CLPΒ 436.4K
$995MX$17.1K
-51.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$373CLPΒ 335.5K
$621MX$10.7K
-39.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$892CLPΒ 801.6K
$2,126MX$36.5K
-58.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$592CLPΒ 531.7K
$1,254MX$21.5K
-52.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,903MX$67.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,096MX$36.0K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Coquimbo
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$661CLPΒ 594.3K
$1,107MX$19.0K
-40.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.18
11.34
-54.32%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Coquimbo: June 7, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $486 in Coquimbo and $995 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Mexico City pays 67% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $45.00 in Coquimbo vs $53.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $288 per month, with Coquimbo 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
Coquimbo vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Coquimbo and Mexico City?
Coquimbo and Mexico City differ by about 35% in total monthly costs ($1,069 vs $1,447 including rent). Coquimbo is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Mexico City earns 67% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Coquimbo and Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $486 in Coquimbo versus $995 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Coquimbo and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $438 in Coquimbo versus $427 in Mexico City. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Coquimbo β a meal for two runs $45.00 versus $53.0 in Mexico City. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,069 in Coquimbo versus $1,447 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Coquimbo but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Coquimbo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Coquimbo and Mexico City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Coquimbo or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Coquimbo gentler on the wallet β expenses run 35% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.