Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Austin, MN

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,674 a month against $2,529 in Austin, MN, rent and utilities included – about $10,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City, Mexico
Austin, MN, United States
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,674
/mo nomad
Austin, MN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,529
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Austin, MN

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 Austin, MN actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,674 per month in Mexico City vs $2,529 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,674
  • Austin, MN $2,529

A couple spends around $2,606 per month in Mexico City vs $3,726 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,606
  • Austin, MN $3,726

A family of three spends $3,537 per month in Mexico City vs $4,923 in Austin, MN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,537
  • Austin, MN $4,923

Mexico City is about 34% cheaper than Austin, MN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Mexico City and Austin, MN sit above the global median – Mexico City by 24%, Austin, MN by 87%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.59 MX$197
$19.85 $19.85
-46.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.0 MX$967
$99.2 $99.2
-47.59%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.73 MX$200
$12.06 $12.06
-11.03%
Cappuccino
$3.80 MX$70.7
$4.90 $4.90
-22.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61 MX$30.01
$2.98 $2.98
-45.97%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 MX$22.55
$2.03 $2.03
-40.39%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 MX$59.1
$4.85 $4.85
-34.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.44 MX$101
$5.68 $5.68
-4.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$31.96
$0.82 $0.82
109.76%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 MX$55.2
$2.87 $2.87
3.48%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 MX$35.84
$1.96 $1.96
-1.53%
Eggs
$2.77 MX$51.6
$2.55 $2.55
8.63%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.67 MX$217
$9.65 $9.65
20.93%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.48 MX$176
$6.65 $6.65
42.56%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.37 MX$286
$18.85 $18.85
-18.46%
Apples (1kg)
$3.10 MX$57.8
$5.45 $5.45
-43.12%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 MX$36.49
$1.18 $1.18
66.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.98 MX$36.88
$3.68 $3.68
-46.20%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.34 MX$43.46
$1.68 $1.68
39.29%
Potato (1kg)
$2.02 MX$37.66
$2.50 $2.50
-19.20%
Onion (1kg)
$1.82 MX$33.95
$2.22 $2.22
-18.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.54 MX$28.74
$1.46 $1.46
5.48%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 MX$24.42
$2.04 $2.04
-35.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.35 MX$99.6
$10.11 $10.11
-47.08%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.19 MX$301
$3.05 $3.05
430.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96 MX$36.46
$1.70 $1.70
15.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35 MX$81.0
$2.99 $2.99
45.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 MX$5.67
$1.83 $1.83
-83.61%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.49 MX$363
$53.7 $53.7
-63.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.92 MX$35.68
$2.05 $2.05
-6.34%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 MX$8.80
$1.20 $1.20
-60.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 MX$101
$20.10 $20.10
-73.08%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 MX$27.61
$1.01 $1.01
46.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K MX$397.7K
$26.4K $26.4K
-19.14%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K MX$442.1K
$25.3K $25.3K
-6.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.0 MX$1,154
$188 $188
-66.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.47 MX$530
$52.1 $52.1
-45.31%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.11 MX$635
$75.6 $75.6
-54.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.4 MX$1,087
$42.21 $42.21
38.33%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.50 MX$456
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.59 MX$123
$10.15 $10.15
-35.07%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$434 MX$8,081
$1,304 $1,304
-66.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.0K MX$261.2K
$14.9K $14.9K
-6.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.4 MX$1,272
$76.8 $76.8
-11.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.8 MX$1,020
$55.0 $55.0
-0.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 MX$2,063
$103 $103
7.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 MX$2,159
$164 $164
-29.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,179 MX$21.9K
$1,456 $1,456
-18.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$771 MX$14.3K
$1,299 $1,299
-40.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,570 MX$47.8K
$2,523 $2,523
1.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,420 MX$26.4K
$2,075 $2,075
-31.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,586 MX$66.7K
$2,441 $2,441
46.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,064 MX$38.4K
$2,247 $2,247
-8.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Austin, MN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,003 MX$18.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
6.57
72.75%

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

Last update for Mexico City: November 1, 2026

Last update for Austin, MN: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$771
Austin, MN
$1.3K 68.6% $529
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$324
Austin, MN
$294 9.1% $30
Eating Out
Mexico City
$201
Austin, MN
$310 54.3% $109
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$158
Austin, MN
$179 13.9% $22
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$125
Austin, MN
$315 153% $191
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Austin, MN
$63 12.7% $9.1
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Austin, MN
$69 176% $44

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,179 in Mexico City versus $1,456 in Austin, MN. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52 in Mexico City versus $99 in Austin, MN. Groceries tell a different story – $324 in Mexico City vs $294 in Austin, MN – so Austin, MN wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Austin, MN
🕒 Local time
12:16 12:16 PM
12:16 12:16 PM
Same time as Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
974,447
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 18.61 MXN (100 MXN = 5.37 USD). 1 EUR = 20.86 MXN (100 MXN = 4.79 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Austin, MN 2,760 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Austin, MN

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 Austin, MN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico City cheaper than Austin, MN?
Yes – Austin, MN is pricier by about 51%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,510 per month in Mexico City and $3,794 in Austin, MN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Mexico City, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,179 there versus $1,456 in Austin, MN.
Is eating out cheaper in Mexico City or in Austin, MN?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $52 in Mexico City and $99 in Austin, MN. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Mexico City and in Austin, MN?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,674 in Mexico City and $2,529 in Austin, MN. That makes Mexico City about 34% cheaper.
Is $3,000 enough for either Mexico City or Austin, MN?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,674 in Mexico City and $2,529 in Austin, MN, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Is Mexico City or Austin, MN more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mexico City – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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