Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Dallas, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Dallas, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,467 per month in Mexico City vs $2,899 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,371 per month in Mexico City vs $4,404 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,274 per month in Mexico City vs $5,910 in Dallas, TX, rent included.

Mexico City is about 49% cheaper than Dallas, TX, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Mexico City and Dallas, TX sit above the global median – Mexico City by 10%, Dallas, TX by 116%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.18 MX$228
$19.80 $19.80
-33.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9 MX$931
$79.8 $79.8
-32.49%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.42 MX$163
$11.99 $11.99
-21.43%
Cappuccino
$3.55 MX$61.3
$5.54 $5.54
-35.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62 MX$27.95
$2.63 $2.63
-38.40%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11 MX$19.25
$2.19 $2.19
-49.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.12 MX$53.9
$6.44 $6.44
-51.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63 MX$80.0
$7.15 $7.15
-35.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$29.40
$0.99 $0.99
71.72%
White Bread (500g)
$2.72 MX$46.97
$3.74 $3.74
-27.27%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.91 MX$33.04
$4.78 $4.78
-60.04%
Eggs
$2.54 MX$43.82
$4.13 $4.13
-38.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.03 MX$173
$13.29 $13.29
-24.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.09 MX$140
$14.20 $14.20
-43.03%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.62 MX$201
$17.76 $17.76
-34.57%
Apples (1kg)
$2.97 MX$51.3
$4.90 $4.90
-39.39%
Banana (1kg)
$1.81 MX$31.21
$1.48 $1.48
22.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.01 MX$34.79
$4.29 $4.29
-53.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.03 MX$35.16
$3.93 $3.93
-48.35%
Potato (1kg)
$2.12 MX$36.71
$2.26 $2.26
-6.19%
Onion (1kg)
$2.27 MX$39.21
$3.06 $3.06
-25.82%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.40 MX$24.20
$1.91 $1.91
-26.70%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 MX$19.53
$2.31 $2.31
-51.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27 MX$73.8
$9.81 $9.81
-56.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.56 MX$269
$15.25 $15.25
2.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 MX$30.36
$2.10 $2.10
-16.19%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60 MX$62.1
$5.00 $5.00
-28.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.38 MX$6.62
$2.96 $2.96
-87.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.18 MX$331
$92.2 $92.2
-79.20%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.38 MX$23.77
$2.92 $2.92
-52.74%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 MX$4.78
$1.72 $1.72
-83.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.45 MX$94.1
$23.90 $23.90
-77.20%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.30 MX$22.53
$0.77 $0.77
68.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7K MX$322.9K
$35.7K $35.7K
-47.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1K MX$399.7K
$27.6K $27.6K
-16.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$40.86 MX$706
$213 $213
-80.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.81 MX$463
$76.9 $76.9
-65.12%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.96 MX$518
$73.4 $73.4
-59.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.0 MX$899
$42.24 $42.24
23.15%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.84 MX$464
$17.99 $17.99
49.19%
Cinema Ticket
$6.30 MX$109
$12.83 $12.83
-50.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$436 MX$7,536
$1,171 $1,171
-62.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.4K MX$180.0K
$27.0K $27.0K
-61.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7 MX$979
$54.9 $54.9
3.19%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.38 MX$767
$51.4 $51.4
-13.72%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$103 MX$1,779
$110 $110
-6.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 MX$1,823
$127 $127
-16.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,022 MX$17.7K
$1,692 $1,692
-39.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$631 MX$10.9K
$1,439 $1,439
-56.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,136 MX$36.9K
$3,493 $3,493
-38.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,243 MX$21.5K
$2,570 $2,570
-51.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,903 MX$67.4K
$8,903 $8,903
-56.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,064 MX$35.7K
$3,124 $3,124
-33.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Dallas, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,115 MX$19.3K
$4,627 $4,627
-75.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.34
6.36
78.30%

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

Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026

Last update for Dallas, TX: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,022 in Mexico City versus $1,692 in Dallas, TX. 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 315% higher in Dallas, TX, 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 $80.0 in Dallas, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $417 – 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 Dallas, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX costs about 98% 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 Dallas, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,201 per month in Mexico City and $4,348 in Dallas, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Dallas, TX?
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 childcare costs compare in Mexico City and Dallas, TX?
Kindergarten costs $436 per month in Mexico City and $1,171 in Dallas, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or Dallas, TX?
Groceries cost about 44% more in Dallas, TX, 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 Dallas, TX?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,467, than in Dallas, TX at $2,899. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dallas, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Dallas, TX?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,467 versus $2,899 in Dallas, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Mexico City or Dallas, TX?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dallas, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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