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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,467 per month in Mexico City vs $1,558 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,371 per month in Mexico City vs $2,483 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,274 per month in Mexico City vs $3,409 in Hot Springs, AR, rent included.

Mexico City is about 6% cheaper than Hot Springs, AR, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mexico City and Hot Springs, AR sit above the global median – Mexico City by 10%, Hot Springs, AR by 16%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.18 MX$228

$19.36 $19.36

-31.92%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$53.9 MX$934

$64.0 $64.0

-15.81%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.42 MX$163

$9.37 $9.37

0.53%

Cappuccino

$3.55 MX$61.5

$5.02 $5.02

-29.28%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.62 MX$28.03

$2.38 $2.38

-31.93%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 MX$19.31

$1.76 $1.76

-36.93%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.12 MX$54.1

$5.10 $5.10

-38.82%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.63 MX$80.2

$6.35 $6.35

-27.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.48

$0.96 $0.96

77.08%

White Bread (500g)

$2.72 MX$47.10

$2.72 $2.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 MX$33.13

$2.75 $2.75

-30.55%

Eggs

$2.54 MX$43.94

$2.33 $2.33

9.01%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.03 MX$174

$7.95 $7.95

26.16%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.09 MX$140

$10.84 $10.84

-25.37%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.62 MX$201

$15.59 $15.59

-25.47%

Apples (1kg)

$2.97 MX$51.4

$3.74 $3.74

-20.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.81 MX$31.30

$1.62 $1.62

11.73%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.01 MX$34.88

$4.62 $4.62

-56.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.03 MX$35.26

$3.52 $3.52

-42.33%

Potato (1kg)

$2.12 MX$36.82

$3.13 $3.13

-32.27%

Onion (1kg)

$2.27 MX$39.32

$3.05 $3.05

-25.57%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 MX$24.26

$1.93 $1.93

-27.46%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 MX$19.59

$1.56 $1.56

-27.56%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.27 MX$74.0

$8.13 $8.13

-47.48%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.56 MX$270

$19.22 $19.22

-19.04%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.76 MX$30.44

$1.68 $1.68

4.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.60 MX$62.3

$1.86 $1.86

93.55%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 MX$6.64

$1.26 $1.26

-69.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.18 MX$332

$27.98 $27.98

-31.45%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 MX$23.84

$1.94 $1.94

-28.87%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.79

$1.33 $1.33

-78.95%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.45 MX$94.4

$19.89 $19.89

-72.60%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.30 MX$22.60

$0.74 $0.74

75.68%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$18.7K MX$323.8K

$17.0K $17.0K

9.81%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.1K MX$400.8K

$22.6K $22.6K

2.22%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$40.86 MX$708

$213 $213

-80.80%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.81 MX$465

$58.6 $58.6

-54.25%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.96 MX$519

$40.05 $40.05

-25.19%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.0 MX$901

$35.20 $35.20

47.78%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.84 MX$465

$9.99 $9.99

168.67%

Cinema Ticket

$6.30 MX$109

$12.70 $12.70

-50.39%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$436 MX$7,558

$597 $597

-26.99%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.4K MX$180.5K

$27.0K $27.0K

-61.46%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.7 MX$982

$39.82 $39.82

42.27%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.38 MX$769

$32.12 $32.12

38.17%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 MX$1,784

$74.8 $74.8

37.67%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 MX$1,829

$81.1 $81.1

30.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,022 MX$17.7K

$607 $607

68.50%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$631 MX$10.9K

$405 $405

55.88%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,136 MX$37.0K

$1,005 $1,005

112.46%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,243 MX$21.5K

$824 $824

50.75%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,903 MX$67.6K

$1,917 $1,917

103.56%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,064 MX$35.8K

$1,948 $1,948

5.97%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,115 MX$19.3K

$3,531 $3,531

-68.42%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

6.36

78.30%

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

Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026

Last update for Hot Springs, AR: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,022 in Mexico City versus $607 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 run about 217% higher in Hot Springs, AR, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City versus $64.0 in Hot Springs, AR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $339 – making Mexico City the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Hot Springs, AR costs about 6% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,201 per month in Mexico City and $2,337 in Hot Springs, AR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mexico City, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $436 per month in Mexico City and $597 in Hot Springs, AR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 17% more in Hot Springs, AR, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,467, than in Hot Springs, AR at $1,558. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hot Springs, AR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,467 versus $1,558 in Hot Springs, AR. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hot Springs, AR makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.