Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Decatur, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Decatur, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,484 per month in Mexico City vs $1,690 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,342 per month in Mexico City vs $2,503 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,199 per month in Mexico City vs $3,315 in Decatur, IL, rent included.

Mexico City is about 12% cheaper than Decatur, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mexico City and Decatur, IL sit above the global median – Mexico City by 10%, Decatur, IL by 25%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.29 MX$231

$19.13 $19.13

-30.53%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 MX$933

$68.2 $68.2

-21.22%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.29 MX$161

$8.97 $8.97

3.57%

Cappuccino

$3.61 MX$62.6

$4.94 $4.94

-26.92%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.56 MX$27.03

$2.16 $2.16

-27.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 MX$19.46

$1.68 $1.68

-33.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.13 MX$54.3

$5.04 $5.04

-37.90%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.71 MX$81.7

$6.05 $6.05

-22.15%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.54

$0.77 $0.77

120.78%

White Bread (500g)

$2.77 MX$48.03

$2.52 $2.52

9.92%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.96 MX$34.05

$1.99 $1.99

-1.51%

Eggs

$2.60 MX$45.21

$3.65 $3.65

-28.77%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.94 MX$173

$8.76 $8.76

13.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.10 MX$141

$7.83 $7.83

3.45%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.50 MX$200

$13.36 $13.36

-13.92%

Apples (1kg)

$2.87 MX$49.84

$4.32 $4.32

-33.56%

Banana (1kg)

$1.73 MX$30.07

$2.14 $2.14

-19.16%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.00 MX$34.73

$4.45 $4.45

-55.06%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.04 MX$35.38

$3.38 $3.38

-39.64%

Potato (1kg)

$2.08 MX$36.14

$0.89 $0.89

133.71%

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 MX$38.12

$1.13 $1.13

94.69%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.45 MX$25.24

$1.52 $1.52

-4.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 MX$18.63

$2.59 $2.59

-58.69%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 MX$74.2

$6.94 $6.94

-38.47%

Wine (Bottle)

$14.32 MX$249

$15.06 $15.06

-4.91%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 MX$30.62

$1.82 $1.82

-3.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.70 MX$64.2

$2.05 $2.05

80.49%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.35 MX$6.12

$2.05 $2.05

-82.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.19 MX$333

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.34 MX$23.18

$2.95 $2.95

-54.58%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.83

$1.38 $1.38

-79.71%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.33 MX$92.6

$29.41 $29.41

-81.88%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 MX$23.27

$0.82 $0.82

63.41%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$19.1K MX$332.0K

$29.9K $29.9K

-35.97%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.9K MX$414.5K

$25.8K $25.8K

-7.37%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$39.86 MX$692

$84.4 $84.4

-52.77%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.78 MX$465

$60.8 $60.8

-55.92%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.36 MX$510

$62.1 $62.1

-52.74%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$53.4 MX$927

$75.5 $75.5

-29.20%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.09 MX$453

Cinema Ticket

$6.40 MX$111

$11.93 $11.93

-46.35%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$440 MX$7,647

$1,322 $1,322

-66.68%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.8K MX$186.6K

$23.5K $23.5K

-54.28%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.6 MX$1,000

$57.7 $57.7

-0.09%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.02 MX$781

$42.63 $42.63

5.61%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 MX$1,801

$75.6 $75.6

37.23%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 MX$1,874

$189 $189

-42.96%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,013 MX$17.6K

$886 $886

14.28%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$630 MX$10.9K

$559 $559

12.59%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,162 MX$37.5K

$1,020 $1,020

111.98%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,222 MX$21.2K

$824 $824

48.32%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,793 MX$65.8K

$934 $934

305.88%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,332 MX$40.5K

$932 $932

150.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,075 MX$18.7K

$4,466 $4,466

-75.93%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

6.56

72.87%

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

Last update for Mexico City: April 11, 2026

Last update for Decatur, IL: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,013 in Mexico City versus $886 in Decatur, IL. 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 Decatur, IL, 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 in Mexico City versus $68 in Decatur, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $285 vs $316 – 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 Decatur, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Decatur, IL is pricier by about 14%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,226 per month in Mexico City and $2,535 in Decatur, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City and $68.0 in Decatur, IL. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 11% more in Decatur, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,484, than in Decatur, IL at $1,690. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Decatur, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Mexico City – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Decatur, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.