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 $1,447 per month in Mexico City vs $2,835 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Mexico City vs $4,215 in Garland, TX, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,174 per month in Mexico City vs $5,596 in Garland, TX, rent included.

Mexico City is about 49% cheaper than Garland, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.

Both Mexico City and Garland, TX sit above the global median – Mexico City by 8%, Garland, TX by 111%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98 MX$223
$17.75 $17.75
-26.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6 MX$903
$75.8 $75.8
-30.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.43 MX$162
$9.90 $9.90
-4.75%
Cappuccino
$3.57 MX$61.3
$4.96 $4.96
-28.02%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61 MX$27.55
$2.56 $2.56
-37.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15 MX$19.81
$2.00 $2.00
-42.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.15 MX$54.0
$5.91 $5.91
-46.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86 MX$83.4
$7.86 $7.86
-38.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$29.17
$0.95 $0.95
78.95%
White Bread (500g)
$2.64 MX$45.23
$2.99 $2.99
-11.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.90 MX$32.67
$3.38 $3.38
-43.79%
Eggs
$2.54 MX$43.62
$4.86 $4.86
-47.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.08 MX$173
$11.96 $11.96
-15.72%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.29 MX$142
$10.68 $10.68
-22.38%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.57 MX$199
$14.45 $14.45
-19.93%
Apples (1kg)
$3.03 MX$52.0
$4.96 $4.96
-38.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.71 MX$29.35
$1.45 $1.45
17.93%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.05 MX$35.16
$3.72 $3.72
-44.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.06 MX$35.36
$3.97 $3.97
-48.11%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 MX$35.43
$2.76 $2.76
-25.36%
Onion (1kg)
$2.17 MX$37.25
$1.88 $1.88
15.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.40 MX$24.08
$1.94 $1.94
-27.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12 MX$19.26
$2.19 $2.19
-48.86%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29 MX$73.7
$9.26 $9.26
-53.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.41 MX$265
$10.79 $10.79
42.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$28.74
$2.38 $2.38
-29.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69 MX$63.3
$3.46 $3.46
6.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.38 MX$6.55
$3.06 $3.06
-87.58%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.06 MX$327
$95.2 $95.2
-79.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.38 MX$23.70
$2.98 $2.98
-53.69%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.28 MX$4.74
$1.23 $1.23
-77.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.42 MX$92.9
$35.23 $35.23
-84.62%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.28 MX$21.98
$0.80 $0.80
60.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0K MX$325.8K
$25.9K $25.9K
-26.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5K MX$402.7K
$26.4K $26.4K
-11.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$41.02 MX$704
$175 $175
-76.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92 MX$462
$48.29 $48.29
-44.25%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69 MX$510
$66.2 $66.2
-55.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.3 MX$898
$30.84 $30.84
69.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23 MX$450
$16.21 $16.21
61.81%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18 MX$106
$15.19 $15.19
-59.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 MX$7,331
$1,359 $1,359
-68.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.7K MX$183.6K
$22.5K $22.5K
-52.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8 MX$975
$53.1 $53.1
6.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83 MX$769
$29.45 $29.45
52.22%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$105 MX$1,794
$87.4 $87.4
19.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106 MX$1,819
$116 $116
-8.47%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$995 MX$17.1K
$1,999 $1,999
-50.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$621 MX$10.7K
$1,564 $1,564
-60.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,126 MX$36.5K
$3,572 $3,572
-40.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,254 MX$21.5K
$2,711 $2,711
-53.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,903 MX$67.0K
$3,221 $3,221
21.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,096 MX$36.0K
$1,948 $1,948
7.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Garland, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,107 MX$19.0K
$3,775 $3,775
-70.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.34
6.49
74.73%

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

Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026

Last update for Garland, TX: June 8, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $995 in Mexico City versus $1,999 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 241% 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 $76.0 in Garland, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $360 – 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 Garland, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and Garland, TX compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City, $2,835 in Garland, TX – roughly 96% 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 $2,171 per month in Mexico City and $4,253 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 $427 per month in Mexico City and $1,359 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?
Groceries cost about 25% more in Garland, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,447, than in Garland, TX at $2,835. 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 $1,447 in Mexico City to $2,835 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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