😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,484 in Mexico City versus $680 in Hai Phong.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,381 in Mexico City versus $1,267 in Hai Phong.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,278 in Mexico City versus $1,855 in Hai Phong.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 118% more expensive than Hai Phong, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Hai Phong is 49% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$227
$1.55₫40.5K
737.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.1MX$929
$20.27₫531.9K
161.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72MX$170
$4.16₫109.2K
133.65%
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.6
$1.85₫48.4K
102.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.46
$0.45₫11.8K
248.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.76
$0.25₫6,518
352.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.7
$0.79₫20.8K
302.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66MX$81.6
$1.49₫39.0K
212.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MX$28.37
$1.41₫37.1K
14.89%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.36
$0.58₫15.1K
367.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88MX$32.89
$0.86₫22.5K
118.60%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.90
$1.51₫39.6K
66.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$176
$9.01₫236.5K
11.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
$3.79₫99.5K
118.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$209
$8.07₫211.6K
47.96%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$50.1
$3.38₫88.7K
-15.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75MX$30.62
$1.05₫27.6K
66.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.48
$1.62₫42.6K
28.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.46
$1.09₫28.5K
80.73%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.79
$1.08₫28.2K
100.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.16
$1.00₫26.3K
118.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.34
$0.57₫14.9K
143.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.69
$0.57₫14.9K
96.49%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$73.5
$1.21₫31.8K
247.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.25MX$249
$12.49₫327.7K
14.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.85
$0.79₫20.8K
122.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68MX$64.5
$1.82₫47.7K
102.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$0.38₫10.1K
2.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66MX$327
$5.85₫153.4K
218.97%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.26
$0.78₫20.6K
78.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.32
$0.60₫15.8K
-50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$94.9
$1.66₫43.6K
226.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35MX$23.63
$0.87₫22.8K
55.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$330.5K
$38.5K₫1.0B
-50.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$405.2K
$31.7K₫830.9M
-26.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.82MX$714
$37.86₫993.3K
7.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.50MX$481
$5.07₫132.9K
442.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$532
$8.69₫228.0K
249.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4MX$935
$22.84₫599.2K
133.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30MX$460
$7.65₫200.7K
243.79%
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$110
$3.88₫101.9K
61.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,632
$269₫7.1M
61.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$183.2K
$11.6K₫304.3M
-9.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$993
$44.80₫1.2M
26.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.79MX$784
$23.02₫604.0K
94.57%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,799
$89.4₫2.3M
14.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,888
$72.4₫1.9M
49.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.5K
$407₫10.7M
145.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620MX$10.9K
$240₫6.3M
158.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137MX$37.4K
$967₫25.4M
120.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,235MX$21.6K
$862₫22.6M
43.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,865MX$67.6K
$1,305₫34.2M
196.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,332MX$40.8K
$954₫25.0M
144.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Hai Phong
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,067MX$18.7K
$497₫13.0M
114.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
5.99
89.32%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Last update for Hai Phong: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,000 in Mexico City and $407 in Hai Phong. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 115% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $20.00 in Hai Phong for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $286 vs $182 per month, with Hai Phong cheaper across the board.
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 Hai Phong: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Hai Phong?
Mexico City and Hai Phong differ by about 118% in total monthly costs ($1,484 vs $680 including rent). Hai Phong is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Hai Phong?
Mexico City pays 115% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and Hai Phong?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,000 in Mexico City versus $407 in Hai Phong. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Hai Phong?
All in, you'll spend $1,484 per month in Mexico City versus $680 in Hai Phong – a 118% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and Hai Phong?
A monthly transit pass in Hai Phong runs roughly 219% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $680 in Hai Phong versus $1,484 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Hai Phong but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Hai Phong the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Hai Phong?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Mexico City or Hai Phong safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Hai Phong are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Hai Phong?
Expats usually find Hai Phong gentler on the wallet – expenses run 118% 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