πA single person spends $1,078 per month in Maltepe vs $1,484 in Mexico City, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,662 per month in Maltepe vs $2,381 in Mexico City, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,247 per month in Maltepe vs $3,278 in Mexico City, rent included.
πMaltepe is about 27% cheaper than Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πMaltepe sits 19% below the global median, while Mexico City is 11% above β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.34βΊ512
$12.98MX$227
-12.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$29.84βΊ1,347
$53.1MX$929
-43.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.16βΊ278
$9.72MX$170
-36.63%
Cappuccino
$2.38βΊ107
$3.75MX$65.6
-36.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02βΊ46.12
$1.57MX$27.46
-35.03%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37βΊ16.64
$1.13MX$19.76
-67.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.09βΊ94.4
$3.18MX$55.7
-34.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55βΊ115
$4.66MX$81.6
-45.28%
π Groceries & Markets
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00βΊ45.24
$1.62MX$28.37
-38.27%
White Bread(500g)
$0.68βΊ30.78
$2.71MX$47.36
-74.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.25βΊ102
$1.88MX$32.89
19.68%
Eggs
$2.25βΊ102
$2.51MX$43.90
-10.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.24βΊ417
$10.08MX$176
-8.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.98βΊ225
$8.29MX$145
-39.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.76βΊ892
$11.94MX$209
65.49%
Apples(1kg)
$1.51βΊ68.2
$2.86MX$50.1
-47.20%
Banana(1kg)
$2.17βΊ98.1
$1.75MX$30.62
24.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28βΊ57.9
$2.08MX$36.48
-38.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58βΊ71.3
$1.97MX$34.46
-19.80%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70βΊ31.48
$2.16MX$37.79
-67.59%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67βΊ30.28
$2.18MX$38.16
-69.27%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66βΊ29.68
$1.39MX$24.34
-52.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58βΊ25.97
$1.12MX$19.69
-48.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17βΊ98.0
$4.20MX$73.5
-48.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.27βΊ509
$14.25MX$249
-20.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.24βΊ101
$1.76MX$30.85
27.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07βΊ139
$3.68MX$64.5
-16.58%
π Getting Around
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62βΊ27.92
$0.39MX$6.74
58.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.06βΊ1,402
$18.66MX$327
66.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.06βΊ47.80
$1.39MX$24.26
-23.74%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59βΊ26.48
$0.30MX$5.32
96.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.69βΊ392
$5.42MX$94.9
60.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.15βΊ52.0
$1.35MX$23.63
-14.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$46.2KβΊ2.1M
$18.9KMX$330.5K
144.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.1KβΊ1.9M
$23.2KMX$405.2K
86.05%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.1βΊ2,802
$40.82MX$714
52.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.21βΊ506
$27.50MX$481
-59.24%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.71βΊ574
$30.38MX$532
-58.16%
π Sport & Entertainment
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.33βΊ1,956
$53.4MX$935
-18.90%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$26.30MX$460
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.48βΊ338
$6.27MX$110
19.30%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$940βΊ42.4K
$436MX$7,632
115.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,129βΊ276.7K
$10.5KMX$183.2K
-41.45%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.64βΊ1,834
$56.8MX$993
-28.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.12βΊ2,082
$44.79MX$784
2.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.2βΊ2,628
$103MX$1,799
-43.37%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107βΊ4,834
$108MX$1,888
-0.74%
π Accommodation & Living
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506βΊ22.8K
$1,000MX$17.5K
-49.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390βΊ17.6K
$620MX$10.9K
-37.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$891βΊ40.2K
$2,137MX$37.4K
-58.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712βΊ32.1K
$1,235MX$21.6K
-42.39%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,294βΊ58.4K
$3,865MX$67.6K
-66.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$924βΊ41.7K
$2,332MX$40.8K
-60.37%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Maltepe
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$1,067MX$18.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
32
11.34
182.19%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maltepe: April 27, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $506 in Maltepe versus $1,000 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.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Maltepe versus $53.0 in Mexico City. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $233 vs $286 β making Maltepe 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
Maltepe vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico City cheaper than Maltepe?
Yes β Mexico City is pricier by about 38%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,617 per month in Maltepe and $2,225 in Mexico City. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Maltepe, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Maltepe and Mexico City?
Groceries cost about 23% more in Mexico City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Maltepe or Mexico City?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Maltepe, where all-in costs run around $1,078, than in Mexico City at $1,484. In Maltepe it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Maltepe or Mexico City more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Maltepe β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Maltepe or Mexico City?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Maltepe. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Mexico City makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.