Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Abha

For one person, living is cheaper in Abha: $1,062 a month against $1,608 in Mexico City, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City, Mexico
Abha, Saudi Arabia
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Abha
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia
$1,062
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Abha

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

A single person spends $1,608 per month in Mexico City vs $1,062 in Abha, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Abha $1,062

A couple spends around $2,549 per month in Mexico City vs $1,754 in Abha, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Abha $1,754

A family of three spends $3,490 per month in Mexico City vs $2,445 in Abha, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Abha $2,445

Mexico City costs about 51% more than Abha, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Mexico City sits 18% above the global median, while Abha is 22% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$199
$5.36 SAR 20.12
98.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$904
$50.4 SAR 189
-4.09%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$193
$7.61 SAR 28.58
36.01%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.63 SAR 6.13
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.35 SAR 5.07
-
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.0
$3.21 SAR 12.05
14.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.14
$0.58 SAR 2.18
187.93%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.65
$0.22 SAR 0.82
477.27%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$59.7
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.2
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.23
$1.63 SAR 6.11
5.52%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$56.8
$0.59 SAR 2.22
415.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.27
$2.01 SAR 7.53
-3.48%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.0
$3.08 SAR 11.57
-6.17%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$205
$4.36 SAR 16.35
151.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$173
$7.46 SAR 27.99
23.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$283
$18.35 SAR 68.8
-17.55%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.0
$2.00 SAR 7.49
52.50%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.27
$1.91 SAR 7.17
1.57%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$37.85
$1.58 SAR 5.94
28.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.25
$1.65 SAR 6.18
40.00%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.03
$2.21 SAR 8.28
-7.69%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.63
$1.27 SAR 4.75
41.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.64
$0.37 SAR 1.41
300.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.69
$0.47 SAR 1.78
170.21%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$4.34 SAR 16.28
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.17 SAR 4.37
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.51 SAR 5.67
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.1
$9.39 SAR 35.22
-43.56%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$301
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.06
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.5
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.70
$0.80 SAR 3.00
-61.25%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$369
$37.99 SAR 143
-48.07%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.34
$3.01 SAR 11.31
-38.87%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$9.97
$2.73 SAR 10.24
-80.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.0
$13.48 SAR 50.6
-60.68%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.23
$0.64 SAR 2.39
135.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$406.5K
$29.2K SAR 109.4K
-25.39%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$448.2K
$19.7K SAR 74.0K
21.58%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,177
$87.8 SAR 329
-28.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$512
$37.47 SAR 141
-26.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$666
$76.2 SAR 286
-53.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,101
$93.4 SAR 351
-36.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$442
$44.58 SAR 167
-46.97%
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$16.19 SAR 60.8
-60.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,065
$213 SAR 798
103.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$213.5K
$4,133 SAR 15.5K
176.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,275
$31.20 SAR 117
118.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$993
$70.1 SAR 263
-24.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,014
$96.0 SAR 360
12.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,191
$65.8 SAR 247
78.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.8K
$317 SAR 1,189
251.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.3K
$251 SAR 942
182.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.4K
$539 SAR 2,023
380.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.3K
$560 SAR 2,101
151.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$67.8K
$934 SAR 3,504
288.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$39.9K
$1,313 SAR 4,929
62.55%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Abha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.7K
$2,204 SAR 8,272
-57.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
6
89.17%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Abha: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Abha
$251 64.7% $459
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Abha
$200 37.3% $119
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Abha
$107 45.9% $91
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Abha
$118 24.1% $38
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Abha
$201 59.8% $75
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Abha
$126 75.3% $54
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Abha
$58 127% $32

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,113 in Mexico City versus $317 in Abha. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Abha are about 2.3 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Mexico City versus $50 in Abha. Groceries tell a different story – $320 in Mexico City vs $200 in Abha – so Abha wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇸🇦 Abha
🕒 Local time
11:46 11:46 AM
20:46 8:46 PM
9 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
236,157
💱 Currency
Saudi Riyal SAR ر.س
Exchange rates and currency converter

SAR, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 18.69 MXN (100 MXN = 5.35 USD). 1 EUR = 20.8 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

Saudi Riyal exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 3.75 SAR (1 SAR = 0.266 USD). 1 EUR = 4.18 SAR (1 SAR = 0.239 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Abha 14,090 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Abha

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
Mexico City vs Abha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Abha?
Mexico City costs about 51% more than Abha, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mexico City and in Abha?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,412 per month in Mexico City and $1,593 in Abha. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Abha?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abha, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $317 there versus $1,113 in Mexico City.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or in Abha?
Groceries cost about 60% 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.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Abha?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Mexico City and $50 in Abha. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Mexico City or in Abha?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,608 in Mexico City and $1,062 in Abha. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Abha – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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