Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Bradley, IL

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $2,340 in Bradley, IL, rent and utilities included – about $9,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Bradley, IL
🇺🇸 United States
$2,340
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Bradley, IL

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 Bradley, IL actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,340 in Bradley, IL.

  • Mexico City $1,548
  • Bradley, IL $2,340

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,436 in Mexico City versus $3,428 in Bradley, IL.

  • Mexico City $2,436
  • Bradley, IL $3,428

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,323 in Mexico City versus $4,517 in Bradley, IL.

  • Mexico City $3,323
  • Bradley, IL $4,517

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 34% less than in Bradley, IL, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 14% above, Bradley, IL 73% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.02 MX$204
$14.80 $14.80
-25.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.68 MX$900
$62.6 $62.6
-22.17%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.90 MX$201
$7.84 $7.84
39.03%
Cappuccino
$3.68 MX$68.1
$5.61 $5.61
-34.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 MX$30.18
$2.16 $2.16
-24.54%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 MX$23.07
$1.13 $1.13
10.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 MX$60.1
$5.37 $5.37
-39.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53 MX$102
$4.93 $4.93
12.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$31.50
$0.98 $0.98
73.47%
White Bread (500g)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$2.38 $2.38
26.89%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.53
$4.08 $4.08
-52.94%
Eggs
$2.73 MX$50.5
$3.94 $3.94
-30.71%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.77 MX$218
$12.33 $12.33
-4.54%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.53 MX$176
$15.71 $15.71
-39.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 MX$266
$16.47 $16.47
-12.51%
Apples (1kg)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$5.91 $5.91
-48.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.89 MX$35.01
$2.41 $2.41
-21.58%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 MX$36.70
$3.99 $3.99
-50.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.38
$5.32 $5.32
-58.83%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.43
$3.24 $3.24
-40.74%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 MX$34.49
$2.73 $2.73
-31.50%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 MX$26.62
$2.02 $2.02
-28.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.39
$1.99 $1.99
-36.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.22 MX$96.4
$12.16 $12.16
-57.07%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.17 MX$299
$14.67 $14.67
10.22%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 MX$35.03
$2.15 $2.15
-11.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 MX$78.0
$4.06 $4.06
3.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.30
$1.83 $1.83
-81.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.65 MX$363
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MX$36.90
$5.57 $5.57
-64.09%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 MX$9.67
$2.90 $2.90
-82.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.34 MX$98.7
$17.19 $17.19
-68.94%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.13
$1.12 $1.12
35.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K MX$408.0K
$27.6K $27.6K
-19.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K MX$452.9K
$26.4K $26.4K
-7.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.1 MX$1,129
$219 $219
-72.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.58 MX$528
$51.7 $51.7
-44.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.47 MX$637
$64.9 $64.9
-46.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.4 MX$1,042
$44.30 $44.30
27.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.88 MX$460
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.66 MX$123
$9.56 $9.56
-30.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 MX$7,891
$1,228 $1,228
-65.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K MX$215.0K
$12.4K $12.4K
-6.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.8 MX$1,253
$46.39 $46.39
46.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 MX$960
$24.79 $24.79
109.60%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 MX$1,959
$58.5 $58.5
81.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 MX$2,080
$50.2 $50.2
124.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,025 MX$18.9K
$1,476 $1,476
-30.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$654 MX$12.1K
$1,161 $1,161
-43.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 MX$42.7K
$2,202 $2,202
4.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,242 MX$22.9K
$1,977 $1,977
-37.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,613 MX$66.8K
$2,548 $2,548
41.80%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,936 MX$35.8K
$2,217 $2,217
-12.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Bradley, IL
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$964 MX$17.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
6.82
65.69%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Bradley, IL: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$654
Bradley, IL
$1.2K 77.4% $506
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$318
Bradley, IL
$413 29.7% $94
Eating Out
Mexico City
$204
Bradley, IL
$259 27.1% $55
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$152
Bradley, IL
$81 46.8% $71
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$124
Bradley, IL
$336 171% $212
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$70
Bradley, IL
$63 9% $6.3
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Bradley, IL
$27 * 6.9% $1.8

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,025 in Mexico City and $1,476 in Bradley, IL. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $49.00 in Mexico City vs $63.0 in Bradley, IL for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $413 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Bradley, IL
🕒 Local time
21:56 9:56 PM
22:56 10:56 PM
1 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
15,419
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Bradley, IL 2,640 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Bradley, IL

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 Bradley, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Bradley, IL?
Mexico City and Bradley, IL differ by about 51% in total monthly costs ($1,548 vs $2,340 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Bradley, IL?
You'd need roughly $2,322 in Mexico City and $3,510 in Bradley, IL to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Bradley, IL?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,025 in Mexico City versus $1,476 in Bradley, IL. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Bradley, IL?
Childcare runs $427 in Mexico City versus $1,228 in Bradley, IL. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mexico City – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $63.0 in Bradley, IL. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,340 in Bradley, IL, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Bradley, IL. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Bradley, IL?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Bradley, IL?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 51% less than in Bradley, IL. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?