😐A single person spends $1,467 per month in Mexico City vs $969 in AL Kharj, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,371 per month in Mexico City vs $1,519 in AL Kharj, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,274 per month in Mexico City vs $2,068 in AL Kharj, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 51% more than AL Kharj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Mexico City sits 10% above the global median, while AL Kharj is 28% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.18MX$228
$6.47SAR 24.27
103.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9MX$932
$26.35SAR 98.9
104.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42MX$163
$7.97SAR 29.91
18.19%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.77SAR 6.64
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.37SAR 5.13
-
Cappuccino
$3.55MX$61.4
$2.48SAR 9.31
43.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$27.98
$0.75SAR 2.83
116.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11MX$19.27
$0.13SAR 0.47
753.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12MX$54.0
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63MX$80.1
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.43
$1.63SAR 6.10
4.29%
White Bread(500g)
$2.72MX$47.02
$0.28SAR 1.06
871.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.07
$2.37SAR 8.89
-19.41%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.86
$2.03SAR 7.62
25.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03MX$174
$8.31SAR 31.20
20.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.09MX$140
$4.92SAR 18.46
64.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.62MX$201
$13.46SAR 50.5
-13.67%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97MX$51.3
$1.98SAR 7.43
50.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81MX$31.24
$1.23SAR 4.60
47.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.82
$0.89SAR 3.33
125.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03MX$35.20
$1.37SAR 5.13
48.18%
Potato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.75
$0.96SAR 3.60
120.83%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.25
$0.88SAR 3.32
157.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.22
$0.82SAR 3.10
70.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.55
$0.56SAR 2.10
101.79%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.19SAR 8.22
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.37SAR 5.14
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.38SAR 8.93
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MX$73.9
$6.42SAR 24.09
-33.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.56MX$269
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.39
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60MX$62.2
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.62
$1.06SAR 3.96
-64.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.18MX$332
$40.41SAR 152
-52.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.79
$2.69SAR 10.11
-48.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.78
$0.55SAR 2.08
-49.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.45MX$94.2
$13.39SAR 50.3
-59.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30MX$22.55
$0.59SAR 2.20
120.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7KMX$323.2K
$33.9KSAR 127.4K
-44.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KMX$400.1K
$23.2KSAR 87.2K
-0.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.86MX$707
$106SAR 398
-61.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.81MX$464
$26.15SAR 98.2
2.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.96MX$518
$51.2SAR 192
-41.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$900
$65.7SAR 247
-20.83%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.84MX$464
$40.52SAR 152
-33.76%
Cinema Ticket
$6.30MX$109
$15.68SAR 58.9
-59.82%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,544
$178SAR 668
144.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.4KMX$180.2K
$3,778SAR 14.2K
175.74%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7MX$980
$59.6SAR 224
-4.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.38MX$768
$53.7SAR 202
-17.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,780
$53.3SAR 200
92.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,825
$78.6SAR 295
34.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,022MX$17.7K
$637SAR 2,391
60.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$631MX$10.9K
$229SAR 861
175.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,136MX$36.9K
$488SAR 1,833
337.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,243MX$21.5K
$501SAR 1,879
148.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,064MX$35.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
AL Kharj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,115MX$19.3K
$2,845SAR 10.7K
-60.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
5.31
113.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026
Last update for AL Kharj: May 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,022 in Mexico City versus $637 in AL Kharj. 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 155% higher in AL Kharj, 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 $54.0 in Mexico City versus $26.00 in AL Kharj. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $169 – making AL Kharj 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 AL Kharj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and AL Kharj compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,467 in Mexico City, $969 in AL Kharj – roughly 51% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to AL Kharj?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,201 per month in Mexico City and $1,454 in AL Kharj. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mexico City and AL Kharj?
Rent is clearly cheaper in AL Kharj, 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 Mexico City and AL Kharj?
Kindergarten costs $436 per month in Mexico City and $178 in AL Kharj. 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 71% 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 AL Kharj, where all-in costs run around $969, than in Mexico City at $1,467. In AL Kharj 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 AL Kharj?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $969 in AL Kharj to $1,467 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Mexico City or AL Kharj 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 Mexico City and AL Kharj?
If budget matters most, go with AL Kharj. 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