😐A single person spends $1,447 per month in Mexico City vs $1,113 in Adama, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Mexico City vs $1,782 in Adama, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,174 per month in Mexico City vs $2,451 in Adama, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 30% more than Adama, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Mexico City sits 8% above the global median, while Adama is 17% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$223
$3.03ETB 480
328.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6MX$903
$34.50ETB 5,468
52.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43MX$162
$5.10ETB 808
84.90%
Cappuccino
$3.57MX$61.3
$1.27ETB 202
181.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61MX$27.55
$0.69ETB 109
133.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.81
$0.31ETB 49.29
270.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15MX$54.0
$0.99ETB 156
218.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86MX$83.4
$3.02ETB 478
60.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.17
$1.45ETB 231
17.24%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64MX$45.23
$1.35ETB 214
95.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.67
$2.12ETB 336
-10.38%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.62
$2.41ETB 382
5.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$173
$7.22ETB 1,145
39.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$142
$14.10ETB 2,235
-41.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.57MX$199
$13.43ETB 2,129
-13.85%
Apples(1kg)
$3.03MX$52.0
$6.75ETB 1,070
-55.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.35
$0.96ETB 152
78.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.16
$2.19ETB 347
-6.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.36
$0.98ETB 156
110.20%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.43
$0.67ETB 107
207.46%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.25
$1.89ETB 300
14.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.08
$0.69ETB 109
102.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.26
$0.63ETB 99.8
77.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29MX$73.7
$3.93ETB 623
9.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.41MX$265
$5.53ETB 876
178.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.74
$1.04ETB 165
60.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69MX$63.3
$1.89ETB 300
95.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.55
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.06MX$327
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.70
$1.44ETB 228
-4.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.74
$0.29ETB 46.09
-3.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$92.9
$2.05ETB 324
164.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28MX$21.98
$1.29ETB 205
-0.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KMX$325.8K
$54.7KETB 8.7M
-65.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KMX$402.7K
$54.7KETB 8.7M
-57.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.02MX$704
$162ETB 25.6K
-74.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92MX$462
$11.84ETB 1,877
127.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69MX$510
$129ETB 20.4K
-76.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3MX$898
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23MX$450
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$106
$5.63ETB 893
9.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427MX$7,331
$80.5ETB 12.8K
430.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$183.6K
$40.5KETB 6.4M
-73.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$975
$46.44ETB 7,361
22.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83MX$769
$75.1ETB 11.9K
-40.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105MX$1,794
$92.3ETB 14.6K
13.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,819
$112ETB 17.8K
-5.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995MX$17.1K
$509ETB 80.6K
95.53%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$621MX$10.7K
$302ETB 47.9K
105.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126MX$36.5K
$1,005ETB 159.3K
111.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254MX$21.5K
$791ETB 125.4K
58.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,096MX$36.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Adama
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,107MX$19.0K
$101ETB 15.9K
1001.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
17
-33.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Last update for Adama: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $995 in Mexico City versus $509 in Adama. 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 1002% higher in Mexico City, 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 $53.0 in Mexico City versus $34.00 in Adama. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $268 – making Adama 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
Mexico City vs Adama: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and Adama compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City, $1,113 in Adama – roughly 30% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Adama?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,171 per month in Mexico City and $1,670 in Adama. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mexico City and Adama?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Adama, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $53.0 in Mexico City and $34.00 in Adama. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 7% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Adama, where all-in costs run around $1,113, than in Mexico City at $1,447. In Adama it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Adama?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,113 in Adama to $1,447 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Mexico City and Adama?
If budget matters most, go with Adama. 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.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared