😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,660 in Mexico City versus $123 in Gulu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,565 in Mexico City versus $182 in Gulu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,470 in Mexico City versus $242 in Gulu.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 1248% more expensive than in Gulu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 21% above, Gulu is 91% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$206
$1.36UGX 5,310
776.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$890
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
$12.06UGX 47.1K
-5.39%
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.9
$2.60UGX 10.2K
53.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.61
$0.25UGX 967
564.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.87
$0.13UGX 527
923.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.9
$0.77UGX 3,029
350.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
$2.64UGX 10.3K
123.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.36
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.1
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.26
-
-
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.94
-
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$222
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
-
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.8
-
-
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.60
-
-
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.93
-
-
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.63
-
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.43
-
-
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.79
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.68
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.09
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.2
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.44
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.8
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.84
$1.07UGX 4,200
-68.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$359
$32.29UGX 126.2K
-35.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.15
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.64
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.68
$1.37UGX 5,369
17.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.8K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$461.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,124
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$519
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$641
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,030
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$458
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,012
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,308
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$965
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,929
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,078
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Gulu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Gulu: September 14, 2026
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 Gulu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulu cheaper than Mexico City?
Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 1248% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,489 in Mexico City and $185 in Gulu to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Gulu runs roughly 55% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What are total monthly expenses in Mexico City and in Gulu?
All in, you'll spend $1,660 per month in Mexico City versus $123 in Gulu – a 1248% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mexico City or in Gulu?
At $123 in Gulu versus $1,660 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gulu but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Gulu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mexico City or Gulu more family-friendly?
For families, Gulu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Mexico City, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1248% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared