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 $1,660 per month in Mexico City vs $812 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,565 per month in Mexico City vs $1,389 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,470 per month in Mexico City vs $1,966 in Bahia de Caraquez, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 104% more than Bahia de Caraquez, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Mexico City sits 21% above the global median, while Bahia de Caraquez is 41% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.92 MX$206

$4.11 $4.11

190.02%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.6 MX$890

$49.59 $49.59

4.05%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.41 MX$197

$9.68 $9.68

17.87%

Cappuccino

$3.99 MX$68.9

$2.83 $2.83

40.99%

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

$1.66 MX$28.61

$0.84 $0.84

97.62%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 MX$22.87

$0.68 $0.68

95.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.47 MX$59.9

$3.06 $3.06

13.40%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.90 MX$102

$4.34 $4.34

35.94%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 MX$32.36

$1.16 $1.16

62.07%

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 MX$56.1

$1.95 $1.95

66.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 MX$37.26

$1.43 $1.43

51.05%

Eggs

$2.90 MX$49.94

$2.04 $2.04

42.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.86 MX$222

$6.89 $6.89

86.65%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.05 MX$173

$5.19 $5.19

93.64%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.86 MX$273

$9.36 $9.36

69.44%

Apples (1kg)

$3.29 MX$56.8

$1.52 $1.52

116.45%

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 MX$34.60

$1.14 $1.14

76.32%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.20 MX$37.93

$1.03 $1.03

113.59%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.36 MX$40.63

$0.97 $0.97

143.30%

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.43

$1.23 $1.23

66.67%

Onion (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.79

$0.96 $0.96

97.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.61 MX$27.68

$0.81 $0.81

98.77%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 MX$24.09

$0.94 $0.94

48.94%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.46 MX$94.2

$5.85 $5.85

-6.67%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.65 MX$304

$12.10 $12.10

45.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 MX$35.44

$1.50 $1.50

37.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.68 MX$80.8

$2.11 $2.11

121.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MX$5.84

$0.38 $0.38

-10.53%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.81 MX$359

$18.62 $18.62

11.76%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.10 MX$36.15

$1.36 $1.36

54.41%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 MX$9.64

$1.71 $1.71

-67.25%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.81 MX$100

$12.08 $12.08

-51.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.61 MX$27.68

$0.83 $0.83

93.98%

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

$22.8K MX$393.8K

$20.8K $20.8K

9.60%

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

$26.8K MX$461.2K

$31.8K $31.8K

-15.89%

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

$65.2 MX$1,124

$36.55 $36.55

78.33%

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

$30.09 MX$519

$15.14 $15.14

98.75%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.18 MX$641

$25.75 $25.75

44.39%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$59.8 MX$1,030

$28.52 $28.52

109.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.55 MX$458

$17.16 $17.16

54.72%

Cinema Ticket

$7.04 MX$121

$7.42 $7.42

-5.12%

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

$465 MX$8,012

$407 $407

14.06%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K MX$228.9K

$6,019 $6,019

120.53%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.9 MX$1,308

$66.4 $66.4

14.23%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.0 MX$965

$39.80 $39.80

40.58%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 MX$1,929

$127 $127

-12.09%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MX$2,078

$94.1 $94.1

28.10%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,103 MX$19.0K

$259 $259

325.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$721 MX$12.4K

$190 $190

280.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,530 MX$43.6K

$610 $610

314.93%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,293 MX$22.3K

$411 $411

214.96%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,991 MX$68.8K

$1,276 $1,276

212.81%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,090 MX$36.0K

$705 $705

196.28%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,037 MX$17.9K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.3

10.05

12.44%

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

Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026

Last update for Bahia de Caraquez: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,103 in Mexico City versus $259 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 $52.0 in Mexico City versus $50.0 in Bahia de Caraquez. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $345 vs $199 – 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: $1,660 in Mexico City, $812 in Bahia de Caraquez – roughly 104% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,489 per month in Mexico City and $1,218 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 $465 per month in Mexico City and $407 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 73% 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 $812, than in Mexico City at $1,660. 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 $812 in Bahia de Caraquez to $1,660 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.