Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Bahir Dar Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Bahir Dar

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,447 per month in Mexico City vs $377 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Mexico City vs $564 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,174 per month in Mexico City vs $751 in Bahir Dar, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 284% more than Bahir Dar, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Mexico City sits 8% above the global median, while Bahir Dar is 72% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.98 MX$223

$3.45 ETB 547

276.23%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.6 MX$903

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.43 MX$162

Cappuccino

$3.57 MX$61.3

$0.99 ETB 156

260.61%

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

$1.61 MX$27.55

$0.39 ETB 61.3

312.82%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.15 MX$19.81

$0.52 ETB 82.8

121.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.15 MX$54.0

$0.71 ETB 113

343.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.86 MX$83.4

$2.04 ETB 324

138.24%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.17

$1.01 ETB 161

68.32%

White Bread (500g)

$2.64 MX$45.23

$0.99 ETB 157

166.67%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.67

$0.98 ETB 155

93.88%

Eggs

$2.54 MX$43.62

$1.70 ETB 270

49.41%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.08 MX$173

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.29 MX$142

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.57 MX$199

$10.18 ETB 1,614

13.65%

Apples (1kg)

$3.03 MX$52.0

$2.91 ETB 461

4.12%

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 MX$29.35

$1.03 ETB 163

66.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.16

$2.06 ETB 326

-0.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.36

$0.78 ETB 123

164.10%

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.43

$0.62 ETB 98.9

232.26%

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 MX$37.25

$1.18 ETB 187

83.90%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 MX$24.08

$1.02 ETB 162

37.25%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 MX$19.26

$0.51 ETB 81.2

119.61%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.29 MX$73.7

Wine (Bottle)

$15.41 MX$265

$4.04 ETB 640

281.44%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 MX$28.74

$0.82 ETB 130

103.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 MX$63.3

$2.03 ETB 322

81.77%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 MX$6.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.06 MX$327

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 MX$23.70

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.74

$0.48 ETB 76.2

-41.67%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.42 MX$92.9

$2.06 ETB 326

163.11%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 MX$21.98

$0.97 ETB 154

31.96%

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

$19.0K MX$325.8K

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

$23.5K MX$402.7K

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

$41.02 MX$704

$102 ETB 16.1K

-59.68%

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

$26.92 MX$462

$10.04 ETB 1,591

168.13%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.69 MX$510

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.3 MX$898

$49.82 ETB 7,896

5.04%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.23 MX$450

$59.6 ETB 9,446

-55.99%

Cinema Ticket

$6.18 MX$106

$5.97 ETB 947

3.52%

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

$427 MX$7,331

$49.85 ETB 7,901

756.77%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K MX$183.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.8 MX$975

$49.55 ETB 7,853

14.67%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.83 MX$769

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 MX$1,794

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 MX$1,819

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$995 MX$17.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$621 MX$10.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,126 MX$36.5K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,254 MX$21.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,903 MX$67.0K

$1,989 ETB 315.3K

96.18%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,096 MX$36.0K

$1,514 ETB 240.0K

38.38%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,107 MX$19.0K

$201 ETB 31.8K

451.56%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

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

Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026

Last update for Bahir Dar: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 452% 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 Bahir Dar: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico City costs about 284% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,171 per month in Mexico City and $565 in Bahir Dar. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,447 in Mexico City and $377 in Bahir Dar. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 130% 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 $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $377, than in Mexico City at $1,447. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $377 versus $1,447 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Bahir Dar. 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.