Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Caguas

For one person, living costs are similar in Mexico City and in Caguas: $1,608 and $1,621 a month, rent and utilities included.

Mexico City, Mexico
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Caguas
🇵🇷 Puerto Rico
$1,621
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Caguas

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

A single person spends $1,608 per month in Mexico City vs $1,621 in Caguas, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Caguas $1,621

A couple spends around $2,549 per month in Mexico City vs $2,589 in Caguas, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Caguas $2,589

A family of three spends $3,490 per month in Mexico City vs $3,557 in Caguas, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Caguas $3,557

Mexico City and Caguas have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.

Both Mexico City and Caguas sit above the global median – Mexico City by 18%, Caguas by 19%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$200
$14.71 $14.71
-27.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$909
$82.9 $82.9
-41.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$194
$8.51 $8.51
21.62%
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.4
$2.31 $2.31
59.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.32
$1.15 $1.15
45.22%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.78
$1.22 $1.22
4.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$60.0
$1.51 $1.51
111.26%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.7
$4.05 $4.05
31.11%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.41
$2.21 $2.21
-22.17%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$57.1
$2.88 $2.88
5.56%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$2.31 $2.31
-16.02%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.3
$5.07 $5.07
-43.00%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$206
$6.73 $6.73
63.00%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$174
$9.42 $9.42
-1.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$284
$11.75 $11.75
28.77%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.3
$5.13 $5.13
-40.55%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$2.58 $2.58
-24.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$38.06
$2.47 $2.47
-17.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.50
$4.47 $4.47
-48.32%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.25
$2.44 $2.44
-16.39%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.83
$2.81 $2.81
-35.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.80
$2.34 $2.34
-36.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.82
$1.67 $1.67
-23.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.7
$10.57 $10.57
-49.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$303
$13.94 $13.94
15.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.27
$1.44 $1.44
37.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.9
$2.19 $2.19
94.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.73
$1.95 $1.95
-84.10%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$371
$68.4 $68.4
-71.15%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.53
$2.56 $2.56
-28.13%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$10.03
$1.54 $1.54
-65.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.5
$42.25 $42.25
-87.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.39
$0.92 $0.92
64.13%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$408.8K
$29.6K $29.6K
-26.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$450.8K
$25.9K $25.9K
-7.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,184
$190 $190
-66.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$515
$59.9 $59.9
-54.24%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$670
$56.1 $56.1
-36.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,108
$34.24 $34.24
72.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$444
$51.0 $51.0
-53.64%
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$9.96 $9.96
-35.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,111
$297 $297
45.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$214.7K
$12.6K $12.6K
-9.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,282
$26.42 $26.42
158.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$999
$36.18 $36.18
46.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,026
$81.3 $81.3
32.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,204
$113 $113
3.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.9K
$748 $748
48.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.4K
$524 $524
35.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.6K
$1,101 $1,101
135.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.4K
$993 $993
41.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$68.2K
$2,340 $2,340
55.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$40.1K
$858 $858
148.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Caguas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.8K
$3,088 $3,088
-69.36%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
4.85
134.02%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Caguas: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Caguas
$524 26.2% $186
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Caguas
$338 5.8% $19
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Caguas
$196 1.3% $2.5
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Caguas
$116 25.8% $40
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Caguas
$306 143% $180
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Caguas
$54 24.5% $18
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Caguas
$86 240% $61

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,113 in Mexico City versus $748 in Caguas. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Caguas are about 3.3 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Mexico City versus $83 in Caguas. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $320 vs $338 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇵🇷 Caguas
🕒 Local time
03:23 3:23 AM
05:23 5:23 AM
2 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
70,318
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.79 MXN (100 MXN = 5.32 USD). 1 EUR = 20.97 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Caguas 3,480 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Caguas

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 Caguas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mexico City and in Caguas?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,412 per month in Mexico City and $2,431 in Caguas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Caguas?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Caguas, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $748 there versus $1,113 in Mexico City.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Caguas?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Mexico City and $83 in Caguas. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How expensive is transport in Mexico City compared to Caguas?
Public transport costs about 71% less in Mexico City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Mexico City or in Caguas?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,608 in Mexico City and $1,621 in Caguas, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Mexico City or Caguas?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,608 in Mexico City to $1,621 in Caguas. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Mexico City or to Caguas?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Caguas makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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