Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Arica Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Arica

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,646 per month in Mexico City vs $116 in Arica, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,613 per month in Mexico City vs $188 in Arica, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,580 per month in Mexico City vs $261 in Arica, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 1322% more than Arica, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Mexico City sits 20% above the global median, while Arica is 92% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.11 MX$205

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.2 MX$883

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.90 MX$184

Cappuccino

$4.05 MX$68.5

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.72 MX$28.99

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.38 MX$23.28

$1.25 CLP 1,171

10.40%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.47 MX$58.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.81 MX$98.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.85 MX$31.32

$1.09 CLP 1,020

69.72%

White Bread (500g)

$3.22 MX$54.5

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.09 MX$35.24

Eggs

$2.91 MX$49.16

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.49 MX$211

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.11 MX$171

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.89 MX$269

Apples (1kg)

$3.31 MX$56.0

Banana (1kg)

$2.13 MX$35.94

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 MX$37.02

Tomato (1kg)

$2.45 MX$41.36

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 MX$36.99

Onion (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.19

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.62 MX$27.30

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.35 MX$22.81

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.43 MX$91.7

Wine (Bottle)

$17.59 MX$297

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.07 MX$34.95

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.75 MX$80.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MX$5.74

$0.77 CLP 715

-55.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$21.58 MX$365

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.04 MX$34.48

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.58 MX$9.77

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.97 MX$101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.62 MX$27.30

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.8K MX$385.5K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.7K MX$450.6K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$65.2 MX$1,102

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$29.87 MX$505

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.55 MX$618

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$61.0 MX$1,031

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.70 MX$451

Cinema Ticket

$6.85 MX$116

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$453 MX$7,662

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.4K MX$226.0K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.0 MX$1,267

$42.81 CLP 40.0K

75.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$55.3 MX$934

$21.15 CLP 19.7K

161.42%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$114 MX$1,920

$57.2 CLP 53.4K

98.79%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$123 MX$2,073

$97.8 CLP 91.4K

25.36%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,134 MX$19.2K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$712 MX$12.0K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,571 MX$43.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,311 MX$22.2K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,993 MX$67.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,095 MX$35.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,047 MX$17.7K

$538 CLP 502.2K

94.63%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.3

126.00%

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

Last update for Mexico City: August 29, 2026

Last update for Arica: September 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 95% higher in Mexico City, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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 Arica: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,646 in Mexico City, $116 in Arica – roughly 1322% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,469 per month in Mexico City and $174 in Arica. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,646 in Mexico City and $116 in Arica. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 3058% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Arica, where all-in costs run around $116, than in Mexico City at $1,646. In Arica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $116 in Arica to $1,646 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Arica. 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.