🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,646 in Mexico City versus $2,207 in Crooked Island.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,613 in Mexico City versus $3,512 in Crooked Island.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,580 in Mexico City versus $4,818 in Crooked Island.
🌍Living in Mexico City costs roughly 25% less than in Crooked Island, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City20% above, Crooked Island61% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.11MX$206
$50.6BSD 50.6
-76.04%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.2MX$887
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.90MX$185
$13.20BSD 13.20
-17.42%
Cappuccino
$4.05MX$68.8
$4.10BSD 4.10
-1.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72MX$29.13
$3.89BSD 3.89
-55.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38MX$23.40
$2.01BSD 2.01
-31.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$58.9
$5.11BSD 5.11
-32.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81MX$98.7
$5.05BSD 5.05
15.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.48
$8.10BSD 8.10
-77.16%
White Bread(500g)
$3.22MX$54.7
$5.86BSD 5.86
-45.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.09MX$35.42
$3.53BSD 3.53
-40.79%
Eggs
$2.91MX$49.41
$11.26BSD 11.26
-74.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.49MX$212
$12.92BSD 12.92
-3.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$172
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.89MX$270
$8.11BSD 8.11
95.93%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31MX$56.3
$14.33BSD 14.33
-76.90%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13MX$36.12
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.20
$1.23BSD 1.23
78.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.45MX$41.57
$12.23BSD 12.23
-79.97%
Potato(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.18
$2.18BSD 2.18
0.46%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.35
$2.88BSD 2.88
-34.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62MX$27.44
$1.02BSD 1.02
58.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35MX$22.92
$1.97BSD 1.97
-31.47%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.43MX$92.1
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.59MX$299
$29.62BSD 29.62
-40.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$35.12
$5.09BSD 5.09
-59.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75MX$80.6
$4.89BSD 4.89
-2.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.77
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.58MX$366
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.04MX$34.65
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.82
$2.11BSD 2.11
-72.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.97MX$101
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62MX$27.44
-
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$387.4K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KMX$452.8K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,108
$221BSD 221
-70.52%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.87MX$507
$59.0BSD 59.0
-49.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.55MX$621
$70.2BSD 70.2
-47.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0MX$1,036
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.70MX$453
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.85MX$116
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$453MX$7,700
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KMX$227.1K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.0MX$1,273
$80.3BSD 80.3
-6.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3MX$939
$49.27BSD 49.27
12.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114MX$1,929
$254BSD 254
-55.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123MX$2,083
$99.2BSD 99.2
23.64%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,134MX$19.3K
$559BSD 559
102.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712MX$12.1K
$553BSD 553
28.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,571MX$43.7K
$1,610BSD 1,610
59.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,311MX$22.3K
$1,599BSD 1,599
-17.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,993MX$67.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,095MX$35.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Crooked Island
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,047MX$17.8K
$1,080BSD 1,080
-3.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: August 29, 2026
Last update for Crooked Island: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,134 in Mexico City and $559 in Crooked Island. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Crooked Island pays 3% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
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 Crooked Island: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Crooked Island?
Mexico City and Crooked Island differ by about 34% in total monthly costs ($1,646 vs $2,207 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 3% lower in Crooked Island. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Crooked Island?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,134 in Mexico City versus $559 in Crooked Island. 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 55% higher in Crooked Island. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Crooked Island?
All in, you'll spend $1,646 per month in Mexico City versus $2,207 in Crooked Island – a 34% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,646 in Mexico City versus $2,207 in Crooked Island, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Crooked Island. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Crooked Island?
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.
Is Mexico City or Crooked Island safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Crooked Island are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Crooked Island?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 34% less than in Crooked Island. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared