Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Cookeville, TN

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $2,393 in Cookeville, TN, rent and utilities included – about $10,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Cookeville, TN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,393
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Cookeville, TN

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

A single person spends $1,548 per month in Mexico City vs $2,393 in Cookeville, TN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,548
  • Cookeville, TN $2,393

A couple spends around $2,436 per month in Mexico City vs $3,623 in Cookeville, TN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,436
  • Cookeville, TN $3,623

A family of three spends $3,323 per month in Mexico City vs $4,853 in Cookeville, TN, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,323
  • Cookeville, TN $4,853

Mexico City is about 35% cheaper than Cookeville, TN, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Mexico City and Cookeville, TN sit above the global median – Mexico City by 14%, Cookeville, TN by 77%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.02 MX$204
$21.38 $21.38
-48.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.68 MX$900
$50.8 $50.8
-4.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.90 MX$201
$8.01 $8.01
36.08%
Cappuccino
$3.68 MX$68.1
$3.94 $3.94
-6.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 MX$30.18
$2.66 $2.66
-38.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 MX$23.07
$1.77 $1.77
-29.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 MX$60.1
$5.05 $5.05
-35.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53 MX$102
$4.57 $4.57
21.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$31.50
$0.80 $0.80
112.50%
White Bread (500g)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$2.74 $2.74
10.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.53
$7.68 $7.68
-75.00%
Eggs
$2.73 MX$50.5
$3.36 $3.36
-18.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.77 MX$218
$19.40 $19.40
-39.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.53 MX$176
$9.05 $9.05
5.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 MX$266
$17.68 $17.68
-18.50%
Apples (1kg)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$9.70 $9.70
-68.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.89 MX$35.01
$2.17 $2.17
-12.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 MX$36.70
$2.14 $2.14
-7.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.38
$2.21 $2.21
-0.90%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.43
$2.24 $2.24
-14.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 MX$34.49
$2.15 $2.15
-13.02%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 MX$26.62
$2.88 $2.88
-50.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.39
$2.93 $2.93
-56.66%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.22 MX$96.4
$9.08 $9.08
-42.51%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.17 MX$299
$12.38 $12.38
30.61%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 MX$35.03
$1.77 $1.77
7.34%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 MX$78.0
$7.95 $7.95
-46.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.30
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.65 MX$363
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MX$36.90
$5.84 $5.84
-65.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 MX$9.67
$0.64 $0.64
-18.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.34 MX$98.7
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.13
$0.80 $0.80
90.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K MX$408.0K
$27.6K $27.6K
-20.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K MX$452.9K
$27.3K $27.3K
-10.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.1 MX$1,129
$322 $322
-81.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.58 MX$528
$45.81 $45.81
-37.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.47 MX$637
$85.7 $85.7
-59.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.4 MX$1,042
$35.21 $35.21
60.07%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.88 MX$460
$37.96 $37.96
-34.46%
Cinema Ticket
$6.66 MX$123
$14.15 $14.15
-52.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 MX$7,891
$827 $827
-48.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K MX$215.0K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.8 MX$1,253
$44.50 $44.50
52.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 MX$960
$45.06 $45.06
15.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 MX$1,959
$133 $133
-20.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 MX$2,080
$140 $140
-19.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,025 MX$18.9K
$1,115 $1,115
-8.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$654 MX$12.1K
$986 $986
-33.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 MX$42.7K
$2,520 $2,520
-8.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,242 MX$22.9K
$1,987 $1,987
-37.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,613 MX$66.8K
$2,242 $2,242
61.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,936 MX$35.8K
$2,254 $2,254
-14.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Cookeville, TN
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$964 MX$17.8K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
6.62
70.69%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Cookeville, TN: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$654
Cookeville, TN
$986 50.7% $332
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$318
Cookeville, TN
$424 33.4% $106
Eating Out
Mexico City
$204
Cookeville, TN
$294 44.4% $91
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$152
Cookeville, TN
$163 6.9% $11
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$124
Cookeville, TN
$453 265% $329
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$70
Cookeville, TN
$64 8.9% $6.2
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Cookeville, TN
$9 * 64.8% $17

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,025 in Mexico City versus $1,115 in Cookeville, TN. 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 $49.00 in Mexico City versus $51.0 in Cookeville, TN. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $318 vs $424 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Cookeville, TN
🕒 Local time
06:26 6:26 AM
07:26 7:26 AM
1 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
28,340
💱 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 Cookeville, TN 2,290 km ≈ 3 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Cookeville, TN

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 Cookeville, TN: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Cookeville, TN?
Cookeville, TN costs about 55% more than Mexico City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 and in Cookeville, TN?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,322 per month in Mexico City and $3,590 in Cookeville, TN. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Cookeville, TN?
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 do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Cookeville, TN?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $49.00 in Mexico City and $51.0 in Cookeville, TN. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or in Cookeville, TN?
Groceries cost about 33% more in Cookeville, TN, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Mexico City or in Cookeville, TN?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,548, than in Cookeville, TN at $2,393. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cookeville, TN it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Cookeville, TN?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,548 versus $2,393 in Cookeville, TN. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mexico City compared to Cookeville, TN?
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 to Cookeville, TN?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cookeville, TN makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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