Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Derna Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Derna

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,456 per month in Mexico City vs $170 in Derna, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,361 per month in Mexico City vs $341 in Derna, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,266 per month in Mexico City vs $513 in Derna, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 758% more than Derna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Mexico City sits 9% above the global median, while Derna is 87% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.07 MX$229

$4.72 LYD 30.05

176.91%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.8 MX$943

$9.41 LYD 59.9

471.20%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.68 MX$170

$3.71 LYD 23.64

160.92%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.58 LYD 3.67

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 LYD 4.45

Cappuccino

$3.74 MX$65.6

$0.57 LYD 3.62

556.14%

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

$1.62 MX$28.34

$0.38 LYD 2.44

326.32%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.16 MX$20.37

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.23 MX$56.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.74 MX$83.1

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 MX$28.89

$0.70 LYD 4.48

135.71%

White Bread (500g)

$2.75 MX$48.30

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.87 MX$32.87

Eggs

$2.50 MX$43.86

$0.76 LYD 4.81

228.95%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.20 MX$179

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.25 MX$145

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.82 MX$207

Apples (1kg)

$3.01 MX$52.8

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 MX$31.77

$0.90 LYD 5.71

101.11%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.00 MX$35.07

Tomato (1kg)

$2.00 MX$35.00

Potato (1kg)

$2.08 MX$36.56

Onion (1kg)

$2.27 MX$39.85

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.46 MX$25.55

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 MX$18.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.35 MX$76.3

Wine (Bottle)

$16.99 MX$298

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.73 MX$30.40

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.58 MX$62.7

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.39 MX$6.79

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$18.69 MX$328

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.33 MX$23.25

$0.95 LYD 6.03

40.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.91

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.25 MX$92.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.34 MX$23.44

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

$19.4K MX$340.5K

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

$23.8K MX$418.0K

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

$40.69 MX$714

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

$26.87 MX$471

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.51 MX$535

$16.36 LYD 104

86.49%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.8 MX$926

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.65 MX$467

Cinema Ticket

$6.51 MX$114

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

$428 MX$7,508

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.5K MX$184.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.3 MX$1,004

$37.41 LYD 238

53.03%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.50 MX$798

$44.96 LYD 286

1.20%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$104 MX$1,825

$45.60 LYD 290

128.18%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$108 MX$1,891

$46.11 LYD 294

133.83%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,003 MX$17.6K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$623 MX$10.9K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,109 MX$37.0K

$184 LYD 1,172

1046.39%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,218 MX$21.4K

$108 LYD 689

1025.25%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,885 MX$68.1K

$194 LYD 1,236

1902.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,033 MX$35.7K

$78.5 LYD 500

2490.57%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,038 MX$18.2K

$173 LYD 1,105

498.43%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

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

Last update for Mexico City: July 13, 2026

Last update for Derna: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 498% higher in Mexico City, 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 $9.00 in Derna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $292 vs $15.00 – making Derna 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 Derna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico City costs about 758% more than Derna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,185 per month in Mexico City and $255 in Derna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,456 in Mexico City and $170 in Derna. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 1794% more in Mexico City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Derna, where all-in costs run around $170, than in Mexico City at $1,456. In Derna it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Derna costs $170 versus $1,456 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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