Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Brookings, SD Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Brookings, SD

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,466 per month in Mexico City vs $2,602 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,325 per month in Mexico City vs $3,666 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,184 per month in Mexico City vs $4,731 in Brookings, SD, rent included.

Mexico City is about 44% cheaper than Brookings, SD, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Mexico City and Brookings, SD sit above the global median – Mexico City by 9%, Brookings, SD by 94%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.30 MX$231

$17.71 $17.71

-24.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 MX$932

$40.76 $40.76

31.97%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 MX$163

$11.60 $11.60

-18.79%

Cappuccino

$3.59 MX$62.3

$4.56 $4.56

-21.27%

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

$1.62 MX$28.13

$2.56 $2.56

-36.72%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 MX$19.49

$1.97 $1.97

-43.15%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.25 MX$56.3

$6.01 $6.01

-45.92%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.65 MX$80.6

$7.20 $7.20

-35.42%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.64 MX$28.37

$0.93 $0.93

76.34%

White Bread (500g)

$2.65 MX$46.00

$3.64 $3.64

-27.20%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.96 MX$33.99

$5.32 $5.32

-63.16%

Eggs

$2.54 MX$44.08

$4.09 $4.09

-37.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.97 MX$173

$11.24 $11.24

-11.30%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.39 MX$145

$14.47 $14.47

-42.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.83 MX$205

$11.67 $11.67

1.37%

Apples (1kg)

$2.86 MX$49.62

$6.19 $6.19

-53.80%

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 MX$30.05

$1.55 $1.55

11.61%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.99 MX$34.50

$6.73 $6.73

-70.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.51

$5.56 $5.56

-63.13%

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.64

$3.14 $3.14

-34.39%

Onion (1kg)

$2.28 MX$39.54

$3.63 $3.63

-37.19%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 MX$25.05

$2.45 $2.45

-40.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 MX$18.83

$1.78 $1.78

-38.76%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 MX$73.9

$11.95 $11.95

-64.27%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.67 MX$254

$11.98 $11.98

22.45%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 MX$30.58

$2.17 $2.17

-18.89%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.57 MX$61.8

$4.86 $4.86

-26.54%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 MX$6.67

$1.98 $1.98

-80.81%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.73 MX$325

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.39 MX$24.09

$4.65 $4.65

-70.11%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.30 MX$5.26

$1.74 $1.74

-82.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.41 MX$93.8

$23.99 $23.99

-77.45%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 MX$23.22

$0.86 $0.86

55.81%

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

$18.9K MX$326.7K

$29.7K $29.7K

-36.46%

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

$23.2K MX$402.0K

$26.3K $26.3K

-11.90%

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

$40.30 MX$698

$164 $164

-75.42%

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

$27.15 MX$471

$50.8 $50.8

-46.54%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.46 MX$510

$68.6 $68.6

-57.04%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.7 MX$914

$42.89 $42.89

22.97%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.17 MX$454

Cinema Ticket

$6.18 MX$107

$12.11 $12.11

-48.97%

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

$441 MX$7,637

$1,622 $1,622

-72.83%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K MX$185.4K

$26.1K $26.1K

-59.08%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.2 MX$992

$41.62 $41.62

37.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.04 MX$781

$34.94 $34.94

28.91%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 MX$1,793

$88.4 $88.4

17.05%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 MX$1,884

$119 $119

-8.48%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,000 MX$17.3K

$1,595 $1,595

-37.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$632 MX$11.0K

$1,361 $1,361

-53.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,141 MX$37.1K

$2,659 $2,659

-19.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,253 MX$21.7K

$2,258 $2,258

-44.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,745 MX$64.9K

$2,806 $2,806

33.47%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,381 MX$41.3K

$3,125 $3,125

-23.82%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,079 MX$18.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

5.5

106.18%

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

Last update for Mexico City: April 20, 2026

Last update for Brookings, SD: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,000 in Mexico City versus $1,595 in Brookings, SD. 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 $54 in Mexico City versus $41 in Brookings, SD. Groceries tell a different story – $286 in Mexico City vs $412 in Brookings, SD – so Mexico City wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Brookings, SD: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Brookings, SD costs about 78% more than Mexico City, 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 $2,199 per month in Mexico City and $3,903 in Brookings, SD. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City and $41.00 in Brookings, SD. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 44% more in Brookings, SD, 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 Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,466, than in Brookings, SD at $2,602. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Brookings, SD it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,466 versus $2,602 in Brookings, SD. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Brookings, SD makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.