🙂A single person spends $1,467 per month in Mexico City vs $3,543 in Burbank, CA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,371 per month in Mexico City vs $4,401 in Burbank, CA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,274 per month in Mexico City vs $5,258 in Burbank, CA, rent included.
🙂Mexico City is about 59% cheaper than Burbank, CA, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Mexico City and Burbank, CA sit above the global median – Mexico City by 10%, Burbank, CA by 164%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.18MX$228
$20.24$20.24
-34.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9MX$932
$86.0$86.0
-37.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42MX$163
$11.96$11.96
-21.24%
Cappuccino
$3.55MX$61.4
$5.09$5.09
-30.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$27.98
$2.84$2.84
-42.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11MX$19.27
$2.32$2.32
-52.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12MX$54.0
$8.53$8.53
-63.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63MX$80.1
$9.97$9.97
-53.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.43
$1.17$1.17
45.30%
White Bread(500g)
$2.72MX$47.02
$4.48$4.48
-39.29%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.07
$4.11$4.11
-53.53%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.86
$7.13$7.13
-64.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03MX$174
$12.92$12.92
-22.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.09MX$140
$17.05$17.05
-52.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.62MX$201
$14.40$14.40
-19.31%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97MX$51.3
$5.99$5.99
-50.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81MX$31.24
$1.88$1.88
-3.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.82
$3.98$3.98
-49.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03MX$35.20
$4.83$4.83
-57.97%
Potato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.75
$3.08$3.08
-31.17%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.25
$3.16$3.16
-28.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.22
$1.89$1.89
-25.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.55
$2.22$2.22
-49.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MX$73.9
$10.86$10.86
-60.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.56MX$269
$14.85$14.85
4.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.39
$2.49$2.49
-29.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60MX$62.2
$3.13$3.13
15.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.62
$1.79$1.79
-78.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.18MX$332
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.79
$3.05$3.05
-54.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.78
$1.66$1.66
-83.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.45MX$94.2
$29.16$29.16
-81.31%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30MX$22.55
$1.29$1.29
0.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7KMX$323.2K
$24.2K$24.2K
-22.91%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KMX$400.1K
$24.1K$24.1K
-3.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.86MX$707
$183$183
-77.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.81MX$464
$46.71$46.71
-42.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.96MX$518
$67.3$67.3
-55.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$900
$131$131
-60.14%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.84MX$464
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.30MX$109
$18.33$18.33
-65.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,544
$1,778$1,778
-75.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.4KMX$180.2K
$23.5K$23.5K
-55.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7MX$980
$57.4$57.4
-1.31%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.38MX$768
$34.51$34.51
28.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,780
$86.8$86.8
18.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,825
$83.6$83.6
26.27%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,022MX$17.7K
$3,229$3,229
-68.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$631MX$10.9K
$2,116$2,116
-70.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,136MX$36.9K
$2,607$2,607
-18.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,243MX$21.5K
$2,224$2,224
-44.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,064MX$35.7K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Burbank, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,115MX$19.3K
$5,437$5,437
-79.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
6.49
74.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026
Last update for Burbank, CA: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,022 in Mexico City versus $3,229 in Burbank, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 388% higher in Burbank, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City versus $86.0 in Burbank, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $448 – making Mexico City 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 Burbank, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Burbank, CA?
Burbank, CA costs about 141% 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.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mexico City vs Burbank, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,201 per month in Mexico City and $5,315 in Burbank, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Burbank, CA?
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.
How much does it cost to live in Mexico City compared to Burbank, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,467 in Mexico City and $3,543 in Burbank, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Mexico City and Burbank, CA?
Kindergarten costs $436 per month in Mexico City and $1,778 in Burbank, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Mexico City or Burbank, CA?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,467, than in Burbank, CA at $3,543. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Burbank, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Burbank, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,467 versus $3,543 in Burbank, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mexico City compared to Burbank, CA?
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.
Should I move to Mexico City or Burbank, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Burbank, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared