Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Gongju

For one person, living is cheaper in Gongju: $1,522 a month against $1,674 in Mexico City, rent and utilities included – about $1,800 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Mexico City outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Mexico City, Mexico
Gongju, South Korea
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,674
/mo nomad
Gongju
🇰🇷 South Korea
$1,522
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Gongju

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mexico City and in Gongju actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,674 per month in Mexico City vs $1,522 in Gongju, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,674
  • Gongju $1,522

A couple spends around $2,606 per month in Mexico City vs $2,522 in Gongju, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,606
  • Gongju $2,522

A family of three spends $3,537 per month in Mexico City vs $3,522 in Gongju, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,537
  • Gongju $3,522

Mexico City costs about 10% more than Gongju, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Mexico City and Gongju sit above the global median – Mexico City by 24%, Gongju by 13%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.59 MX$197
$7.24 ₩9,708
46.27%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.0 MX$967
$47.72 ₩64.0K
8.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.73 MX$200
$6.68 ₩8,956
60.63%
Cappuccino
$3.80 MX$70.6
$3.70 ₩4,961
2.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61 MX$30.01
$1.80 ₩2,417
-10.56%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21 MX$22.55
$1.38 ₩1,850
-12.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.18 MX$59.1
$3.65 ₩4,898
-12.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.44 MX$101
$4.18 ₩5,606
30.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$31.96
$2.34 ₩3,132
-26.50%
White Bread (500g)
$2.97 MX$55.2
$3.22 ₩4,320
-7.76%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.93 MX$35.84
$3.03 ₩4,061
-36.30%
Eggs
$2.77 MX$51.6
$2.68 ₩3,590
3.36%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.67 MX$217
$10.83 ₩14.5K
7.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.48 MX$176
$10.45 ₩14.0K
-9.28%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.37 MX$286
$24.97 ₩33.5K
-38.45%
Apples (1kg)
$3.10 MX$57.8
$11.02 ₩14.8K
-71.87%
Banana (1kg)
$1.96 MX$36.49
$3.65 ₩4,895
-46.30%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.98 MX$36.88
$8.16 ₩10.9K
-75.74%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.34 MX$43.46
$6.03 ₩8,082
-61.19%
Potato (1kg)
$2.02 MX$37.66
$5.80 ₩7,773
-65.17%
Onion (1kg)
$1.82 MX$33.95
$3.25 ₩4,350
-44.00%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.54 MX$28.74
$2.86 ₩3,828
-46.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.31 MX$24.42
$1.27 ₩1,705
3.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.35 MX$99.6
$3.41 ₩4,575
56.89%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.19 MX$301
$18.26 ₩24.5K
-11.34%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96 MX$36.46
$2.38 ₩3,185
-17.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35 MX$81.0
$3.60 ₩4,827
20.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 MX$5.67
$1.20 ₩1,605
-75.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.49 MX$363
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.92 MX$35.68
$3.64 ₩4,875
-47.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 MX$8.80
$0.67 ₩895
-29.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 MX$101
$14.65 ₩19.6K
-63.07%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.48 MX$27.61
$1.39 ₩1,868
6.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K MX$397.7K
$39.8K ₩53.3M
-46.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8K MX$442.1K
$33.7K ₩45.1M
-29.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.0 MX$1,154
$200 ₩268.6K
-69.06%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.47 MX$530
$36.89 ₩49.5K
-22.82%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.11 MX$635
$26.87 ₩36.0K
26.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.4 MX$1,087
$58.3 ₩78.1K
0.21%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.50 MX$456
$15.41 ₩20.7K
58.99%
Cinema Ticket
$6.59 MX$123
$11.77 ₩15.8K
-44.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$434 MX$8,081
$636 ₩853.1K
-31.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.0K MX$261.2K
$21.6K ₩28.9M
-34.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.4 MX$1,272
$105 ₩140.8K
-34.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.8 MX$1,020
$64.5 ₩86.4K
-14.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 MX$2,063
$92.4 ₩123.9K
19.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 MX$2,158
$128 ₩171.6K
-9.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,179 MX$21.9K
$424 ₩567.9K
178.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$771 MX$14.3K
$343 ₩459.4K
124.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,570 MX$47.8K
$1,406 ₩1.9M
82.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,420 MX$26.4K
$936 ₩1.3M
51.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,586 MX$66.7K
$6,877 ₩9.2M
-47.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,064 MX$38.4K
$5,486 ₩7.4M
-62.37%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Gongju
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,003 MX$18.7K
$1,309 ₩1.8M
-23.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
4.22
168.96%

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

Last update for Mexico City: November 1, 2026

Last update for Gongju: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$771
Gongju
$343 55.5% $428
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$324
Gongju
$484 49.6% $161
Eating Out
Mexico City
$201
Gongju
$162 19.4% $39
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$158
Gongju
$175 11.4% $18
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$125
Gongju
$264 112% $140
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Gongju
$82 14.3% $10
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Gongju
$12 * 52.9% $13

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,179 in Mexico City versus $424 in Gongju. 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 30% higher in Gongju, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52 in Mexico City versus $48 in Gongju. Groceries tell a different story – $324 in Mexico City vs $484 in Gongju – so Mexico City wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇰🇷 Gongju
🕒 Local time
03:36 3:36 AM
18:36 6:36 PM
15 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
110,428
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

KRW, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 18.61 MXN (100 MXN = 5.37 USD). 1 EUR = 20.91 MXN (100 MXN = 4.78 EUR).

South Korean Won exchange rates as of November 5, 2026: 1 USD = 1,341 KRW (10,000 KRW = 7.46 USD). 1 EUR = 1,506 KRW (10,000 KRW = 6.64 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Gongju 12,130 km ≈ 16 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Gongju

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Gongju: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and in Gongju compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,674 in Mexico City, $1,522 in Gongju – Gongju comes out roughly 9% cheaper. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Gongju?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,510 per month in Mexico City and $2,283 in Gongju. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mexico City and Gongju?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gongju, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $424 there versus $1,179 in Mexico City.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Gongju?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,674 in Mexico City and $1,522 in Gongju. That makes Gongju about 9% cheaper.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Gongju?
Kindergarten costs $434 per month in Mexico City and $636 in Gongju. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How far does $2,000 go in Mexico City compared to Gongju?
$2,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,674 in Mexico City and $1,522 in Gongju, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Gongju?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,522 in Gongju to $1,674 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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