Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Hot Springs, AR

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,608 a month against $1,720 in Hot Springs, AR, rent and utilities included – about $1,300 less a year. The total is higher in Hot Springs, AR despite lower rent and utilities.

Mexico City, Mexico
Hot Springs, AR, United States
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Hot Springs, AR
🇺🇸 United States
$1,720
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Hot Springs, AR

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 Hot Springs, AR actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,608 per month in Mexico City vs $1,720 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Hot Springs, AR $1,720

A couple spends around $2,549 per month in Mexico City vs $2,576 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Hot Springs, AR $2,576

A family of three spends $3,490 per month in Mexico City vs $3,432 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Hot Springs, AR $3,432

Mexico City is about 7% cheaper than Hot Springs, AR, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Mexico City and Hot Springs, AR sit above the global median – Mexico City by 18%, Hot Springs, AR by 26%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$200
$16.83 $16.83
-36.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$909
$69.6 $69.6
-30.56%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$194
$9.35 $9.35
10.70%
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.4
$5.09 $5.09
-27.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.32
$2.86 $2.86
-41.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.78
$1.46 $1.46
-13.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$60.0
$5.10 $5.10
-37.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.7
$6.14 $6.14
-13.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.41
$0.94 $0.94
82.98%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$57.1
$3.05 $3.05
-0.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$1.98 $1.98
-2.02%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.3
$2.27 $2.27
27.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$206
$11.23 $11.23
-2.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$174
$12.46 $12.46
-25.76%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$284
$19.35 $19.35
-21.81%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.3
$3.53 $3.53
-13.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$1.33 $1.33
45.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$38.06
$3.60 $3.60
-43.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.50
$3.78 $3.78
-38.89%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.25
$1.80 $1.80
13.33%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.83
$2.67 $2.67
-32.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.80
$2.31 $2.31
-35.93%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.82
$1.07 $1.07
18.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.7
$9.03 $9.03
-41.31%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$303
$18.83 $18.83
-14.50%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.27
$2.51 $2.51
-21.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.9
$4.48 $4.48
-5.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.73
$1.17 $1.17
-73.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$371
$28.06 $28.06
-29.69%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.53
$2.82 $2.82
-34.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$10.03
$2.23 $2.23
-76.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.5
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.39
$0.86 $0.86
75.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$408.8K
$17.2K $17.2K
26.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$450.8K
$22.5K $22.5K
6.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,184
$174 $174
-63.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$515
$56.1 $56.1
-51.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$670
$39.93 $39.93
-10.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,108
$34.54 $34.54
70.64%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$444
$9.86 $9.86
139.76%
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$9.87 $9.87
-35.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,111
$609 $609
-29.15%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$214.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,282
$40.08 $40.08
70.21%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$999
$40.48 $40.48
31.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,026
$98.9 $98.9
8.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,204
$79.9 $79.9
46.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.9K
$717 $717
55.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.4K
$591 $591
20.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.6K
$1,068 $1,068
142.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.4K
$897 $897
56.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$68.2K
$1,947 $1,947
86.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$40.1K
$2,001 $2,001
6.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Hot Springs, AR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.8K
$3,558 $3,558
-73.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
6.49
74.88%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Hot Springs, AR: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Hot Springs, AR
$591 16.8% $119
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Hot Springs, AR
$362 13.3% $42
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Hot Springs, AR
$279 40.4% $80
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Hot Springs, AR
$117 25.1% $39
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Hot Springs, AR
$270 115% $144
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Hot Springs, AR
$54 24.3% $17
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Hot Springs, AR
$47 83.5% $21

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,113 in Mexico City versus $717 in Hot Springs, AR. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Hot Springs, AR are about 3.8 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $48 in Mexico City versus $70 in Hot Springs, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $320 vs $362 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Hot Springs, AR
🕒 Local time
06:34 6:34 AM
06:34 6:34 AM
Same time as Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
37,930
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.79 MXN (100 MXN = 5.32 USD). 1 EUR = 20.97 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Hot Springs, AR 1,780 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Hot Springs, AR

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 Hot Springs, AR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Hot Springs, AR?
Hot Springs, AR costs about 7% more than Mexico City, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Mexico City and in Hot Springs, AR?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,412 per month in Mexico City and $2,580 in Hot Springs, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Hot Springs, AR?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hot Springs, AR, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $717 there versus $1,113 in Mexico City.
How do childcare costs compare in Mexico City and in Hot Springs, AR?
Kindergarten costs $432 per month in Mexico City and $609 in Hot Springs, AR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or in Hot Springs, AR?
Groceries cost about 13% more in Hot Springs, AR, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Mexico City or in Hot Springs, AR?
$3,000 covers both cities comfortably – all-in costs are $1,608 in Mexico City and $1,720 in Hot Springs, AR, leaving budget for savings and extras in both cases.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Mexico City or Hot Springs, AR?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,608 in Mexico City to $1,720 in Hot Springs, AR. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Should I move to Mexico City or to Hot Springs, AR?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hot Springs, AR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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