😐A single person spends $2,856 per month in Garland, TX vs $1,448 in Mexico City, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,214 per month in Garland, TX vs $2,354 in Mexico City, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,572 per month in Garland, TX vs $3,260 in Mexico City, rent included.
😐Garland, TX costs about 97% more than Mexico City, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Garland, TX and Mexico City sit above the global median – Garland, TX by 114%, Mexico City by 9%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.96$17.96
$12.96MX$223
38.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.2$74.2
$52.3MX$900
41.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.97$9.97
$9.69MX$167
2.89%
Cappuccino
$4.95$4.95
$3.75MX$64.6
32.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49$2.49
$1.56MX$26.91
59.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98$1.98
$1.16MX$19.93
70.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.88$5.88
$3.24MX$55.8
81.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.21$8.21
$4.90MX$84.3
67.55%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00$1.00
$1.70MX$29.29
-41.18%
White Bread(500g)
$2.97$2.97
$2.67MX$45.90
11.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.47$3.47
$1.89MX$32.49
83.60%
Eggs
$4.91$4.91
$2.52MX$43.37
94.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.17$12.17
$10.02MX$172
21.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.51$10.51
$8.53MX$147
23.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.51$14.51
$11.94MX$205
21.52%
Apples(1kg)
$5.01$5.01
$2.97MX$51.1
68.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40$1.40
$1.79MX$30.88
-21.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.63$3.63
$2.00MX$34.40
81.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.94$3.94
$1.96MX$33.74
101.02%
Potato(1kg)
$2.71$2.71
$2.16MX$37.21
25.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.91$1.91
$2.27MX$39.04
-15.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.03$2.03
$1.40MX$24.14
45.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.15$2.15
$1.11MX$19.18
93.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.99$8.99
$4.20MX$72.2
114.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.96$10.96
$16.54MX$285
-33.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.31$2.31
$1.68MX$28.94
37.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58$3.58
$3.59MX$61.8
-0.28%
🚌 Getting Around
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.06$3.06
$0.39MX$6.65
684.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$96.0$96.0
$19.19MX$330
400.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.94$2.94
$1.38MX$23.77
113.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.23$1.23
$0.30MX$5.19
310.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.61$35.61
$5.39MX$92.7
560.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79$0.79
$1.29MX$22.13
-38.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K$25.0K
$18.9KMX$325.1K
32.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$23.8KMX$409.5K
9.84%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$173$173
$39.86MX$686
333.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$47.94$47.94
$27.83MX$479
72.26%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.8$66.8
$29.77MX$512
124.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.74$30.74
$52.0MX$894
-40.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.37$16.37
$26.22MX$451
-37.57%
Cinema Ticket
$14.89$14.89
$6.27MX$108
137.48%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,355$1,355
$433MX$7,443
213.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$22.4K$22.4K
$10.5KMX$181.3K
112.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.9$52.9
$57.0MX$981
-7.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.25$30.25
$45.33MX$780
-33.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.9$85.9
$102MX$1,753
-15.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119$119
$109MX$1,867
9.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,008$2,008
$994MX$17.1K
102.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,585$1,585
$617MX$10.6K
156.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,605$3,605
$2,086MX$35.9K
72.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,706$2,706
$1,256MX$21.6K
115.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,300$3,300
$3,936MX$67.7K
-16.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,973$1,973
$2,089MX$35.9K
-5.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Garland, TX
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,770$3,770
$1,131MX$19.5K
233.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.49
11.34
-42.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Garland, TX: June 16, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,008 in Garland, TX versus $994 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 233% higher in Garland, TX, 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 $74.0 in Garland, TX versus $52.0 in Mexico City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $360 vs $292 – making Mexico City 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
Garland, TX vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Garland, TX and Mexico City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,856 in Garland, TX, $1,448 in Mexico City – roughly 97% apart. Garland, TX costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Garland, TX compared to Mexico City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,283 per month in Garland, TX and $2,173 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Garland, TX and Mexico City?
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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Garland, TX and Mexico City?
Kindergarten costs $1,355 per month in Garland, TX and $433 in Mexico City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 23% more in Garland, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,448, than in Garland, TX at $2,856. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Garland, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Garland, TX and Mexico City?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,448 in Mexico City to $2,856 in Garland, TX. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Garland, TX and Mexico City?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Garland, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Garland, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared