Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Chillan

For one person, living is cheaper in Chillan: $865 a month against $1,608 in Mexico City, rent and utilities included – about $8,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City, Mexico
Chillan, Chile
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Chillan
🇨🇱 Chile
$865
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,608 in Mexico City versus $865 in Chillan.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Chillan $865

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,549 in Mexico City versus $1,297 in Chillan.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Chillan $1,297

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,490 in Mexico City versus $1,730 in Chillan.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Chillan $1,730

Living in Mexico City is roughly 86% more expensive than in Chillan, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 18% above, Chillan is 36% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$200
$4.94 CLP 4,907
114.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$909
$44.97 CLP 44.7K
7.52%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$194
$5.89 CLP 5,847
75.72%
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.4
$3.76 CLP 3,732
-1.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.32
$0.91 CLP 904
83.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.78
$0.98 CLP 978
29.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$60.0
$3.67 CLP 3,642
-13.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.7
$4.45 CLP 4,421
19.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.41
$1.04 CLP 1,036
65.38%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$57.1
$1.58 CLP 1,571
92.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$1.74 CLP 1,725
11.49%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.3
$3.67 CLP 3,643
-21.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$206
$7.27 CLP 7,224
50.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$174
$2.50 CLP 2,487
270.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$284
$7.96 CLP 7,909
90.08%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.3
$1.47 CLP 1,461
107.48%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$1.69 CLP 1,677
14.79%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$38.06
$1.20 CLP 1,197
69.17%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.50
$0.98 CLP 978
135.71%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.25
$1.42 CLP 1,407
43.66%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.83
$1.19 CLP 1,184
51.26%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.80
$1.01 CLP 1,004
46.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.82
$1.23 CLP 1,223
3.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.7
$4.47 CLP 4,442
18.57%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$303
$3.32 CLP 3,293
384.94%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.27
$1.19 CLP 1,185
66.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.9
$1.98 CLP 1,965
114.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.73
$0.63 CLP 623
-50.79%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$371
$34.83 CLP 34.6K
-43.35%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.53
$0.64 CLP 634
187.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$10.03
$1.11 CLP 1,102
-52.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.5
$12.10 CLP 12.0K
-56.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.39
$1.32 CLP 1,308
14.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$408.8K
$11.8K CLP 11.8M
83.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$450.8K
$14.4K CLP 14.3M
66.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,184
$125 CLP 124.0K
-49.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$515
$10.26 CLP 10.2K
166.96%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$670
$23.04 CLP 22.9K
54.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,108
$15.35 CLP 15.2K
283.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$444
$15.84 CLP 15.7K
49.24%
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$10.94 CLP 10.9K
-41.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,111
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$214.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,282
$35.94 CLP 35.7K
89.82%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$999
$17.90 CLP 17.8K
196.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,026
$48.55 CLP 48.2K
122.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,204
$62.0 CLP 61.6K
89.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.9K
$308 CLP 306.0K
261.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.4K
$239 CLP 237.7K
196.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.6K
$444 CLP 441.0K
482.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.4K
$317 CLP 315.1K
343.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$68.2K
$2,362 CLP 2.3M
53.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$40.1K
$2,390 CLP 2.4M
-10.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Chillan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.8K
$650 CLP 645.7K
45.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
0
-

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Chillan: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Chillan
$239 66.3% $471
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Chillan
$175 45.1% $144
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Chillan
$137 31% $62
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Chillan
$74 52.5% $82
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Chillan
$158 25.5% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Chillan
$37 48.1% $35
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Chillan
$44 70.9% $18

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,113 in Mexico City and $308 in Chillan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mexico City pays 46% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $48 in Mexico City vs $45 in Chillan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $175 per month, with Chillan cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇨🇱 Chillan
🕒 Local time
21:04 9:04 PM
00:04 12:04 AM
3 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
164,270
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

CLP, 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 = 20.98 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

Chilean Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 993 CLP (1,000 CLP = 1.01 USD). 1 EUR = 1,109 CLP (10,000 CLP = 9.02 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Chillan 6,850 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Chillan

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 Chillan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Chillan?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $1,608 in Mexico City and $865 in Chillan, so Chillan is about 46% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Chillan?
Average pay runs 46% higher in Mexico City, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Chillan?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,113 in Mexico City versus $308 in Chillan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 82% higher in Mexico City. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Chillan?
All in, you’ll spend $1,608 per month in Mexico City versus $865 in Chillan – Chillan is about 46% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Which city is more doable on $1,200 per month?
At $865 in Chillan versus $1,608 in Mexico City, a $1,200 budget is realistic in Chillan but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Chillan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Chillan?
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.
How do I decide between Mexico City and Chillan?
It comes down to priorities – Chillan wins on affordability, Mexico City on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

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