Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Brookhaven, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $2,722 in Brookhaven, NY, rent and utilities included – about $14,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Brookhaven, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$2,722
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Brookhaven, NY

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 Brookhaven, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,722 in Brookhaven, NY.

  • Mexico City $1,548
  • Brookhaven, NY $2,722

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,436 in Mexico City versus $4,065 in Brookhaven, NY.

  • Mexico City $2,436
  • Brookhaven, NY $4,065

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,323 in Mexico City versus $5,408 in Brookhaven, NY.

  • Mexico City $3,323
  • Brookhaven, NY $5,408

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 43% less than in Brookhaven, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 14% above, Brookhaven, NY 101% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.02 MX$204
$24.74 $24.74
-55.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.68 MX$900
$98.9 $98.9
-50.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.90 MX$201
$11.20 $11.20
-2.68%
Cappuccino
$3.68 MX$68.1
$5.35 $5.35
-31.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 MX$30.18
$2.24 $2.24
-27.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 MX$23.07
$1.54 $1.54
-18.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 MX$60.1
$8.01 $8.01
-59.43%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53 MX$102
$8.20 $8.20
-32.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$31.50
$1.26 $1.26
34.92%
White Bread (500g)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$4.31 $4.31
-29.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.53
$7.76 $7.76
-75.26%
Eggs
$2.73 MX$50.5
$5.75 $5.75
-52.52%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.77 MX$218
$12.61 $12.61
-6.66%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.53 MX$176
$11.62 $11.62
-17.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 MX$266
$17.07 $17.07
-15.58%
Apples (1kg)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$5.54 $5.54
-45.49%
Banana (1kg)
$1.89 MX$35.01
$1.73 $1.73
9.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 MX$36.70
$6.16 $6.16
-67.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.38
$6.14 $6.14
-64.33%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.43
$5.47 $5.47
-64.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 MX$34.49
$3.77 $3.77
-50.40%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 MX$26.62
$2.79 $2.79
-48.39%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.39
$2.94 $2.94
-56.80%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.22 MX$96.4
$11.50 $11.50
-54.61%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.17 MX$299
$24.08 $24.08
-32.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 MX$35.03
$1.71 $1.71
11.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 MX$78.0
$5.49 $5.49
-23.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.30
$1.86 $1.86
-81.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.65 MX$363
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MX$36.90
$2.93 $2.93
-31.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 MX$9.67
$2.03 $2.03
-74.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.34 MX$98.7
$23.54 $23.54
-77.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.13
$1.10 $1.10
38.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K MX$408.0K
$27.6K $27.6K
-19.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K MX$452.9K
$26.7K $26.7K
-8.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.1 MX$1,129
$211 $211
-71.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.58 MX$528
$75.6 $75.6
-62.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.47 MX$637
$64.3 $64.3
-46.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.4 MX$1,042
$40.96 $40.96
37.60%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.88 MX$460
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.66 MX$123
$14.76 $14.76
-54.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 MX$7,891
$2,237 $2,237
-80.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K MX$215.0K
$23.6K $23.6K
-50.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.8 MX$1,253
$41.13 $41.13
64.84%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 MX$960
$56.5 $56.5
-8.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 MX$1,959
$76.1 $76.1
39.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 MX$2,080
$158 $158
-28.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,025 MX$18.9K
$1,587 $1,587
-35.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$654 MX$12.1K
$1,275 $1,275
-48.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 MX$42.7K
$2,527 $2,527
-8.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,242 MX$22.9K
$2,118 $2,118
-41.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,613 MX$66.8K
$3,099 $3,099
16.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,936 MX$35.8K
$2,127 $2,127
-8.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Brookhaven, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$964 MX$17.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
6.75
67.41%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Brookhaven, NY: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$654
Brookhaven, NY
$1.3K 94.9% $621
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$318
Brookhaven, NY
$489 53.6% $170
Eating Out
Mexico City
$204
Brookhaven, NY
$367 80.2% $163
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$152
Brookhaven, NY
$149 1.9% $2.9
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$124
Brookhaven, NY
$351 183% $227
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$70
Brookhaven, NY
$70 1.1% $0.8
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Brookhaven, NY
$21 * 20% $5.1

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 $1,587 in Brookhaven, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $49.00 in Mexico City vs $99.0 in Brookhaven, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $489 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Brookhaven, NY
🕒 Local time
08:54 8:54 AM
10:54 10:54 AM
2 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
11,674
💱 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 Brookhaven, NY 3,440 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Brookhaven, NY

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 Brookhaven, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brookhaven, NY cheaper than Mexico City?
Mexico City is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and leisure. The 76% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,322 in Mexico City and $4,083 in Brookhaven, NY 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.
What is the rent difference between Mexico City and Brookhaven, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,025 in Mexico City versus $1,587 in Brookhaven, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Mexico City and in Brookhaven, NY?
Supermarket bills run roughly 54% higher in Brookhaven, NY. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Mexico City and in Brookhaven, NY?
All in, you'll spend $1,548 per month in Mexico City versus $2,722 in Brookhaven, NY – a 76% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Mexico City or in Brookhaven, NY?
At $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,722 in Brookhaven, NY, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Brookhaven, NY. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mexico City or Brookhaven, NY more family-friendly?
For families, Mexico City is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Brookhaven, NY, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mexico City or Brookhaven, NY?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Brookhaven, NY are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 76% less than in Brookhaven, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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