Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Bahia de Caraquez Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Bahia de Caraquez

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,447 per month in Mexico City vs $923 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Mexico City vs $1,428 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,174 per month in Mexico City vs $1,933 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 57% more than Bahia de Caraquez, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Mexico City sits 8% above the global median, while Bahia de Caraquez is 31% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.98 MX$223

$3.57 $3.57

263.59%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.6 MX$903

$47.74 $47.74

10.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.43 MX$162

$8.19 $8.19

15.14%

Cappuccino

$3.57 MX$61.3

$2.63 $2.63

35.74%

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

$1.61 MX$27.55

$0.91 $0.91

76.92%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.15 MX$19.81

$0.62 $0.62

85.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.15 MX$54.0

$2.93 $2.93

7.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.86 MX$83.4

$4.38 $4.38

10.96%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.17

$1.10 $1.10

54.55%

White Bread (500g)

$2.64 MX$45.23

$1.71 $1.71

54.39%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.67

$1.76 $1.76

7.95%

Eggs

$2.54 MX$43.62

$2.62 $2.62

-3.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.08 MX$173

$6.16 $6.16

63.64%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.29 MX$142

$5.34 $5.34

55.24%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.57 MX$199

$6.10 $6.10

89.67%

Apples (1kg)

$3.03 MX$52.0

$2.14 $2.14

41.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 MX$29.35

$1.08 $1.08

58.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.16

$1.09 $1.09

88.07%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.36

$1.08 $1.08

90.74%

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.43

$1.81 $1.81

13.81%

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 MX$37.25

$1.39 $1.39

56.12%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 MX$24.08

$0.74 $0.74

89.19%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 MX$19.26

$1.03 $1.03

8.74%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.29 MX$73.7

$6.07 $6.07

-29.32%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.41 MX$265

$11.80 $11.80

30.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 MX$28.74

$1.55 $1.55

7.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 MX$63.3

$2.19 $2.19

68.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 MX$6.55

$0.36 $0.36

5.56%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.06 MX$327

$24.21 $24.21

-21.27%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 MX$23.70

$2.72 $2.72

-49.26%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.74

$0.97 $0.97

-71.13%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.42 MX$92.9

$9.98 $9.98

-45.69%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 MX$21.98

$0.63 $0.63

103.17%

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

$19.0K MX$325.8K

$25.5K $25.5K

-25.55%

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

$23.5K MX$402.7K

$29.4K $29.4K

-20.10%

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

$41.02 MX$704

$37.83 $37.83

8.43%

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

$26.92 MX$462

$13.42 $13.42

100.60%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.69 MX$510

$31.52 $31.52

-5.81%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.3 MX$898

$30.12 $30.12

73.74%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.23 MX$450

$14.42 $14.42

81.90%

Cinema Ticket

$6.18 MX$106

$7.83 $7.83

-21.07%

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

$427 MX$7,331

$310 $310

37.64%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K MX$183.6K

$5,896 $5,896

81.44%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.8 MX$975

$52.2 $52.2

8.83%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.83 MX$769

$42.68 $42.68

5.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 MX$1,794

$105 $105

-0.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 MX$1,819

$110 $110

-4.07%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$995 MX$17.1K

$337 $337

195.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$621 MX$10.7K

$315 $315

97.12%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,126 MX$36.5K

$624 $624

240.78%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,254 MX$21.5K

$492 $492

154.91%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,903 MX$67.0K

$1,311 $1,311

197.75%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,096 MX$36.0K

$864 $864

142.56%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,107 MX$19.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

9.35

21.28%

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

Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026

Last update for Bahia de Caraquez: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $995 in Mexico City versus $337 in Bahia de Caraquez. 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 $53.0 in Mexico City versus $48.00 in Bahia de Caraquez. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $195 – making Bahia de Caraquez 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 Bahia de Caraquez: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City, $923 in Bahia de Caraquez – roughly 57% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,171 per month in Mexico City and $1,385 in Bahia de Caraquez. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Bahia de Caraquez, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $427 per month in Mexico City and $310 in Bahia de Caraquez. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 47% 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 Bahia de Caraquez, where all-in costs run around $923, than in Mexico City at $1,447. In Bahia de Caraquez it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Bahia de Caraquez has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $923 in Bahia de Caraquez to $1,447 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Bahia de Caraquez. 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.