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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,668 per month in Mexico City vs $2,435 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,613 per month in Mexico City vs $3,414 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,557 per month in Mexico City vs $4,393 in Garland, TX, rent included.

Mexico City is about 32% cheaper than Garland, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Mexico City and Garland, TX sit above the global median – Mexico City by 24%, Garland, TX by 81%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.03 MX$213
$11.82 $11.82
1.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.8 MX$937
$35.54 $35.54
48.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.69 MX$207
$8.78 $8.78
33.14%
Cappuccino
$3.87 MX$68.7
$3.28 $3.28
17.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 MX$31.05
$1.80 $1.80
-2.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39 MX$24.74
$2.41 $2.41
-42.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.36 MX$59.6
$8.01 $8.01
-58.05%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.77 MX$102
$9.10 $9.10
-36.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 MX$32.04
$1.10 $1.10
64.55%
White Bread (500g)
$3.08 MX$54.7
$3.78 $3.78
-18.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.13 MX$37.78
$3.26 $3.26
-34.66%
Eggs
$2.98 MX$52.8
$4.23 $4.23
-29.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.53 MX$222
$7.63 $7.63
64.22%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.24 MX$182
$6.96 $6.96
47.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.92 MX$282
$9.97 $9.97
59.68%
Apples (1kg)
$3.39 MX$60.1
$4.32 $4.32
-21.53%
Banana (1kg)
$2.11 MX$37.37
$1.24 $1.24
70.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.13 MX$37.73
$4.65 $4.65
-54.19%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.47 MX$43.77
$4.20 $4.20
-41.19%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$36.16
$2.00 $2.00
2.00%
Onion (1kg)
$2.01 MX$35.72
$2.07 $2.07
-2.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.59 MX$28.25
$1.82 $1.82
-12.64%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33 MX$23.58
$1.39 $1.39
-4.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.49 MX$97.4
$9.95 $9.95
-44.82%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.52 MX$311
$11.08 $11.08
58.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.01 MX$35.74
$2.89 $2.89
-30.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74 MX$84.1
$3.33 $3.33
42.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$5.96
$3.03 $3.03
-88.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.07 MX$374
$94.3 $94.3
-77.65%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.05 MX$36.41
$2.73 $2.73
-24.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 MX$10.79
$1.60 $1.60
-61.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.70 MX$101
$34.97 $34.97
-83.70%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.59 MX$28.20
$0.79 $0.79
101.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9K MX$406.1K
$35.6K $35.6K
-35.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.4K MX$467.9K
$27.5K $27.5K
-4.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$64.2 MX$1,140
$177 $177
-63.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.42 MX$522
$55.5 $55.5
-47.01%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.83 MX$653
$68.3 $68.3
-46.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.7 MX$1,042
$38.64 $38.64
51.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.54 MX$471
$16.28 $16.28
63.02%
Cinema Ticket
$6.95 MX$123
$14.11 $14.11
-50.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$463 MX$8,210
$1,510 $1,510
-69.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.4K MX$237.1K
$21.2K $21.2K
-37.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.4 MX$1,338
$46.12 $46.12
63.55%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.2 MX$962
$29.96 $29.96
80.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 MX$1,972
$78.4 $78.4
41.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122 MX$2,167
$104 $104
17.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,133 MX$20.1K
$1,542 $1,542
-26.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 MX$12.4K
$1,277 $1,277
-45.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,442 MX$43.3K
$2,308 $2,308
5.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,303 MX$23.1K
$2,109 $2,109
-38.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,910 MX$69.4K
$3,256 $3,256
20.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,069 MX$36.7K
$1,925 $1,925
7.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,052 MX$18.7K
$3,732 $3,732
-71.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
6.47
74.65%

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

Last update for Mexico City: September 21, 2026

Last update for Garland, TX: September 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,133 in Mexico City versus $1,542 in Garland, 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 255% higher in Garland, 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 $53.0 in Mexico City versus $36.00 in Garland, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $343 vs $312 – making Garland, TX 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 Garland, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and in Garland, TX compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,668 in Mexico City, $2,435 in Garland, TX – roughly 46% apart. Garland, TX costs more across the board, with Getting Around showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Garland, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,502 per month in Mexico City and $3,653 in Garland, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mexico City and Garland, 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.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Garland, TX?
Kindergarten costs $463 per month in Mexico City and $1,510 in Garland, TX. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Interestingly, groceries are about 10% cheaper in Garland, TX – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,668, than in Garland, TX at $2,435. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Garland, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Garland, TX?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,668 in Mexico City to $2,435 in Garland, TX. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Mexico City and Garland, TX?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Garland, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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