Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Highlands Ranch, CO and Mexico City

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $3,365 in Highlands Ranch, CO, rent and utilities included – about $21,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Highlands Ranch, CO
🇺🇸 United States
$3,365
/mo nomad
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Highlands Ranch, CO and in Mexico City

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Highlands Ranch, CO and in Mexico City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $3,365 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $1,548 in Mexico City, rent included.

  • Highlands Ranch, CO $3,365
  • Mexico City $1,548

A couple spends around $2,987 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $2,436 in Mexico City, rent included.

  • Highlands Ranch, CO $2,987
  • Mexico City $2,436

A family of three spends $2,609 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO vs $3,323 in Mexico City, rent included.

  • Highlands Ranch, CO $2,609
  • Mexico City $3,323

Highlands Ranch, CO costs about 117% more than Mexico City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Highlands Ranch, CO and Mexico City sit above the global median – Highlands Ranch, CO by 148%, Mexico City by 14%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.27 $15.27
$11.02 MX$204
38.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.5 $79.5
$48.68 MX$900
63.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.20 $10.20
$10.90 MX$201
-6.42%
Cappuccino
$6.26 $6.26
$3.68 MX$68.1
70.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 $2.48
$1.63 MX$30.18
52.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 $2.13
$1.25 MX$23.07
70.40%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.06 $5.06
$3.25 MX$60.1
55.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.15 $6.15
$5.53 MX$102
11.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 $1.04
$1.70 MX$31.50
-38.82%
White Bread (500g)
$2.89 $2.89
$3.02 MX$55.8
-4.30%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.80 $2.80
$1.92 MX$35.53
45.83%
Eggs
$4.28 $4.28
$2.73 MX$50.5
56.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.81 $10.81
$11.77 MX$218
-8.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.20 $7.20
$9.53 MX$176
-24.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$19.01 $19.01
$14.41 MX$266
31.92%
Apples (1kg)
$4.04 $4.04
$3.02 MX$55.8
33.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 $1.50
$1.89 MX$35.01
-20.63%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.86 $4.86
$1.99 MX$36.70
144.22%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.26 $5.26
$2.19 MX$40.38
140.18%
Potato (1kg)
$3.61 $3.61
$1.92 MX$35.43
88.02%
Onion (1kg)
$4.58 $4.58
$1.87 MX$34.49
144.92%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.22 $2.22
$1.44 MX$26.62
54.17%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 $1.71
$1.27 MX$23.39
34.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.41 $10.41
$5.22 MX$96.4
99.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.42 $16.42
$16.17 MX$299
1.55%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.50 $2.50
$1.90 MX$35.03
31.58%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 $2.61
$4.22 MX$78.0
-38.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.34 MX$6.30
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$19.65 MX$363
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.48 $2.48
$2.00 MX$36.90
24.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.89 $1.89
$0.52 MX$9.67
263.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.39 $25.39
$5.34 MX$98.7
375.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.52 MX$28.13
-32.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.0K $28.0K
$22.1K MX$408.0K
26.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K $25.9K
$24.5K MX$452.9K
5.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$215 $215
$61.1 MX$1,129
251.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$56.8 $56.8
$28.58 MX$528
98.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.8 $68.8
$34.47 MX$637
99.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$56.4 MX$1,042
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$24.88 MX$460
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.99 $11.99
$6.66 MX$123
80.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,306 $1,306
$427 MX$7,891
205.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.3K $12.3K
$11.6K MX$215.0K
5.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.1 $60.1
$67.8 MX$1,253
-11.31%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.4 $68.4
$52.0 MX$960
31.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.5 $78.5
$106 MX$1,959
-25.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$118 $118
$113 MX$2,080
4.95%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,864 $2,864
$1,025 MX$18.9K
179.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,190 $2,190
$654 MX$12.1K
234.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$2,308 MX$42.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,242 MX$22.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,613 MX$66.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,936 MX$35.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Highlands Ranch, CO
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$7,275 $7,275
$964 MX$17.8K
654.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.7
11.3
-40.71%

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

Last update for Highlands Ranch, CO: October 19, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Highlands Ranch, CO
$2.2K
Mexico City
$654 70.1% $1.5K
Groceries & Markets
Highlands Ranch, CO
$368
Mexico City
$318 13.6% $50
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Highlands Ranch, CO
$340
Mexico City
$124 63.5% $216
Eating Out
Highlands Ranch, CO
$284
Mexico City
$204 28.2% $80
Clothing & Footwear
Highlands Ranch, CO
$146
Mexico City
$152 4.1% $5.9
Sport & Entertainment
Highlands Ranch, CO
$24 *
Mexico City
$70 191% $46
Getting Around
Highlands Ranch, CO
$12 *
Mexico City
$26 115% $14

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,864 in Highlands Ranch, CO versus $1,025 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 655% higher in Highlands Ranch, CO, 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 $80.0 in Highlands Ranch, CO versus $49.00 in Mexico City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $368 vs $318 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Highlands Ranch, CO
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🕒 Local time
18:26 6:26 PM
18:26 6:26 PM
Same time as Highlands Ranch, CO
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Highlands Ranch, CO Mexico City 2,310 km ≈ 3 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Highlands Ranch, CO
  • Mexico City

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Highlands Ranch, CO vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Highlands Ranch, CO and in Mexico City compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,365 in Highlands Ranch, CO, $1,548 in Mexico City – roughly 117% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Highlands Ranch, CO compared to Mexico City?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,047 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO and $2,322 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Highlands Ranch, CO 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.
Which city is more expensive overall: Highlands Ranch, CO or Mexico City?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $3,365 in Highlands Ranch, CO and $1,548 in Mexico City. That's a gap of about 117%.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Highlands Ranch, CO and Mexico City?
Kindergarten costs $1,306 per month in Highlands Ranch, CO and $427 in Mexico City. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 $1,548, than in Highlands Ranch, CO at $3,365. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Highlands Ranch, CO it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Highlands Ranch, CO and Mexico City?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,548 in Mexico City to $3,365 in Highlands Ranch, CO. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Highlands Ranch, CO or Mexico City safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Highlands Ranch, CO and Mexico City?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Highlands Ranch, CO makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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