😐A single person spends $1,646 per month in Mexico City vs $1,598 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,613 per month in Mexico City vs $2,348 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,580 per month in Mexico City vs $3,098 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 3% more than Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Mexico City and Gran Canaria, Canary Islands sit above the global median – Mexico City by 20%, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands by 16%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.11MX$204
$14.95€12.86
-19.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.2MX$881
$57.7€49.64
-9.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.90MX$184
$10.36€8.92
5.21%
Cappuccino
$4.05MX$68.4
$2.16€1.86
87.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72MX$28.95
$2.41€2.07
-28.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38MX$23.25
$1.76€1.51
-21.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$58.5
$3.41€2.93
1.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81MX$98.1
$3.51€3.02
65.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.28
$1.15€0.99
60.87%
White Bread(500g)
$3.22MX$54.4
$1.42€1.22
126.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.09MX$35.20
$1.65€1.42
26.67%
Eggs
$2.91MX$49.10
$2.89€2.49
0.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.49MX$211
$13.70€11.79
-8.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$171
$8.15€7.01
24.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.89MX$268
$15.01€12.92
5.86%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31MX$56.0
$2.45€2.11
35.10%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13MX$35.90
$2.00€1.72
6.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19MX$36.97
$2.00€1.72
9.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.45MX$41.31
$2.68€2.31
-8.58%
Potato(1kg)
$2.19MX$36.95
$1.76€1.52
24.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.15
$2.01€1.73
-5.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62MX$27.26
$1.33€1.15
21.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35MX$22.78
$0.75€0.65
80.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.43MX$91.6
$6.45€5.55
-15.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.59MX$297
$5.78€4.97
204.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$34.90
$1.25€1.07
65.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75MX$80.1
$2.13€1.83
123.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.74
$1.67€1.44
-79.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.58MX$364
$34.30€29.52
-37.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.04MX$34.44
$3.96€3.41
-48.48%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.75
$1.21€1.04
-52.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.97MX$101
$24.90€21.43
-76.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62MX$27.27
$1.79€1.54
-9.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$385.0K
$38.2K€32.9K
-40.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KMX$450.0K
$30.4K€26.1K
-12.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,101
$135€116
-51.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.87MX$504
$20.91€18.00
42.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.55MX$617
$31.41€27.03
16.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0MX$1,030
$47.42€40.80
28.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.70MX$451
$15.10€12.99
76.82%
Cinema Ticket
$6.85MX$116
$9.20€7.92
-25.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$453MX$7,652
$399€344
13.50%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KMX$225.7K
$8,086€6,958
65.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.0MX$1,265
$85.9€73.9
-12.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3MX$933
$34.61€29.78
59.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114MX$1,917
$89.5€77.0
27.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123MX$2,070
$110€94.7
11.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,134MX$19.1K
$842€724
34.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712MX$12.0K
$702€604
1.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,571MX$43.4K
$1,307€1,125
96.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,311MX$22.1K
$1,013€871
29.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,993MX$67.4K
$3,284€2,826
21.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,095MX$35.4K
$2,306€1,984
-9.13%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,047MX$17.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
3.5
222.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: August 29, 2026
Last update for Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,134 in Mexico City versus $842 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City versus $58.0 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Groceries tell a different story – $345 in Mexico City vs $262 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – so Gran Canaria, Canary Islands 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 Gran Canaria, Canary Islands: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gran Canaria, Canary Islands cheaper than Mexico City?
Yes – Mexico City is pricier by about 3%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,469 per month in Mexico City and $2,397 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $453 per month in Mexico City and $399 in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Mexico City and in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands?
Groceries cost about 32% 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.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mexico City or in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, where all-in costs run around $1,598, than in Mexico City at $1,646. In Gran Canaria, Canary Islands it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Mexico City or Gran Canaria, Canary Islands more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Gran Canaria, Canary Islands – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Mexico City or Gran Canaria, Canary Islands?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. 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.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared