Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and El Paso, TX Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and El Paso, TX

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,660 per month in Mexico City vs $2,105 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,565 per month in Mexico City vs $3,148 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,470 per month in Mexico City vs $4,191 in El Paso, TX, rent included.

Mexico City is about 21% cheaper than El Paso, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mexico City and El Paso, TX sit above the global median – Mexico City by 21%, El Paso, TX by 54%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.92 MX$206

$18.75 $18.75

-36.43%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.6 MX$890

$77.7 $77.7

-33.58%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.41 MX$197

$12.13 $12.13

-5.94%

Cappuccino

$3.99 MX$68.9

$6.10 $6.10

-34.59%

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

$1.66 MX$28.61

$2.32 $2.32

-28.45%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 MX$22.87

$1.60 $1.60

-16.88%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.47 MX$59.9

$5.86 $5.86

-40.78%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.90 MX$102

$6.84 $6.84

-13.74%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 MX$32.36

$0.83 $0.83

126.51%

White Bread (500g)

$3.25 MX$56.1

$3.01 $3.01

7.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.16 MX$37.26

$2.40 $2.40

-10.00%

Eggs

$2.90 MX$49.94

$3.63 $3.63

-20.11%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.86 MX$222

$11.76 $11.76

9.35%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$10.05 MX$173

$11.61 $11.61

-13.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$15.86 MX$273

$12.80 $12.80

23.91%

Apples (1kg)

$3.29 MX$56.8

$3.61 $3.61

-8.86%

Banana (1kg)

$2.01 MX$34.60

$1.46 $1.46

37.67%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.20 MX$37.93

$2.55 $2.55

-13.73%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.36 MX$40.63

$3.61 $3.61

-34.63%

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.43

$2.15 $2.15

-4.65%

Onion (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.79

$2.80 $2.80

-32.14%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.61 MX$27.68

$1.78 $1.78

-9.55%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.40 MX$24.09

$1.58 $1.58

-11.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.46 MX$94.2

$9.39 $9.39

-41.85%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.65 MX$304

$9.61 $9.61

83.66%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.06 MX$35.44

$2.12 $2.12

-2.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.68 MX$80.8

$4.69 $4.69

-0.21%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.34 MX$5.84

$1.53 $1.53

-77.78%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.81 MX$359

$48.10 $48.10

-56.74%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.10 MX$36.15

$1.61 $1.61

30.43%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 MX$9.64

$1.44 $1.44

-61.11%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.81 MX$100

$26.62 $26.62

-78.17%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.61 MX$27.68

$0.86 $0.86

87.21%

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

$22.8K MX$393.8K

$35.5K $35.5K

-35.69%

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

$26.8K MX$461.2K

$25.0K $25.0K

7.20%

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

$65.2 MX$1,124

$160 $160

-59.20%

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

$30.09 MX$519

$70.5 $70.5

-57.34%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$37.18 MX$641

$68.8 $68.8

-45.92%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$59.8 MX$1,030

$18.14 $18.14

229.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.55 MX$458

$8.27 $8.27

221.04%

Cinema Ticket

$7.04 MX$121

$11.77 $11.77

-40.19%

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

$465 MX$8,012

$578 $578

-19.54%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.3K MX$228.9K

$7,034 $7,034

88.71%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.9 MX$1,308

$46.69 $46.69

62.52%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.0 MX$965

$36.28 $36.28

54.22%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$112 MX$1,929

$106 $106

5.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 MX$2,078

$177 $177

-32.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,103 MX$19.0K

$1,126 $1,126

-2.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$721 MX$12.4K

$895 $895

-19.48%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,530 MX$43.6K

$1,679 $1,679

50.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,293 MX$22.3K

$1,502 $1,502

-13.90%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,991 MX$68.8K

$1,771 $1,771

125.43%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,090 MX$36.0K

$1,814 $1,814

15.22%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,037 MX$17.9K

$3,279 $3,279

-68.36%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.3

6.13

84.34%

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

Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026

Last update for El Paso, TX: September 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,103 in Mexico City versus $1,126 in El Paso, 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 216% higher in El Paso, 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 $52.0 in Mexico City versus $78.0 in El Paso, TX. Groceries tell a different story – $345 in Mexico City vs $327 in El Paso, TX – so El Paso, TX wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 El Paso, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

El Paso, TX costs about 27% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,489 per month in Mexico City and $3,158 in El Paso, TX. 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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,660 in Mexico City and $2,105 in El Paso, TX. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 131% less in Mexico City. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,660, than in El Paso, TX at $2,105. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in El Paso, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,660 versus $2,105 in El Paso, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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