😐A single person spends $1,677 per month in Mexico City vs $1,406 in Iksan, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,608 per month in Mexico City vs $2,148 in Iksan, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,540 per month in Mexico City vs $2,890 in Iksan, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 19% more than Iksan, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Mexico City and Iksan sit above the global median – Mexico City by 22%, Iksan by 2%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.14MX$206
$5.95₩7,978
104.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9MX$914
$33.96₩45.5K
58.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.09MX$188
$6.49₩8,703
70.88%
Cappuccino
$4.10MX$69.5
$3.57₩4,794
14.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$28.53
$1.52₩2,036
10.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39MX$23.55
$0.61₩823
127.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.33MX$56.5
$3.39₩4,543
-1.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88MX$99.7
$4.59₩6,154
28.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.41
$2.25₩3,017
-17.78%
White Bread(500g)
$3.17MX$53.8
$3.01₩4,036
5.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07MX$35.13
$2.24₩3,002
-7.59%
Eggs
$2.93MX$49.67
$3.26₩4,369
-10.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.59MX$214
$15.44₩20.7K
-18.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$172
$7.67₩10.3K
31.81%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09MX$273
$10.99₩14.7K
46.41%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39MX$57.5
$7.49₩10.0K
-54.74%
Banana(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.26
$3.24₩4,344
-35.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12MX$35.97
$7.48₩10.0K
-71.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.41MX$40.95
$6.75₩9,046
-64.30%
Potato(1kg)
$2.13MX$36.11
$3.42₩4,587
-37.72%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.02
$2.40₩3,215
-16.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55MX$26.21
$2.08₩2,785
-25.48%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.36MX$23.15
$1.27₩1,704
7.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.77MX$97.8
$3.40₩4,562
69.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.74MX$301
$18.75₩25.1K
-5.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$35.11
$2.29₩3,069
-9.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61MX$78.3
$3.66₩4,905
25.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37MX$6.21
$1.24₩1,659
-70.16%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.18MX$359
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.05MX$34.84
$3.69₩4,954
-44.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.79
$0.66₩886
-12.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.07MX$103
$14.88₩20.0K
-59.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.55MX$26.34
$1.33₩1,783
16.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9KMX$388.1K
$29.8K₩40.0M
-23.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KMX$462.0K
$35.5K₩47.6M
-23.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.4MX$1,144
$206₩275.9K
-67.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.62MX$520
$43.05₩57.7K
-28.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.24MX$632
$21.00₩28.2K
77.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5MX$1,043
$57.4₩77.0K
7.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.12MX$460
$12.32₩16.5K
120.13%
Cinema Ticket
$7.11MX$121
$11.34₩15.2K
-37.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$456MX$7,739
$297₩398.2K
53.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.7KMX$232.3K
$17.8K₩23.8M
-22.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.2MX$1,259
$65.2₩87.5K
13.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.0MX$967
$64.0₩85.9K
-10.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115MX$1,958
$72.6₩97.4K
58.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122MX$2,061
$99.6₩133.6K
22.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,148MX$19.5K
$459₩615.2K
150.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709MX$12.0K
$344₩461.9K
105.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,577MX$43.7K
$1,107₩1.5M
132.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,295MX$22.0K
$811₩1.1M
59.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,005MX$67.9K
$6,583₩8.8M
-39.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,130MX$36.1K
$5,663₩7.6M
-62.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Iksan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,082MX$18.4K
$1,683₩2.3M
-35.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
4.1
175.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 6, 2026
Last update for Iksan: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,148 in Mexico City versus $459 in Iksan. 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 56% higher in Iksan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City versus $34.00 in Iksan. Groceries tell a different story – $345 in Mexico City vs $408 in Iksan – so Mexico City 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 Iksan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Iksan?
Mexico City costs about 19% more than Iksan, with the gap driven mainly by 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 Iksan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,515 per month in Mexico City and $2,108 in Iksan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Iksan?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Iksan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Iksan?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City and $34.00 in Iksan. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or in Iksan?
Interestingly, groceries are about 18% cheaper in Mexico City – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Mexico City or in Iksan?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Iksan, where all-in costs run around $1,406, than in Mexico City at $1,677. In Iksan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Iksan?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Iksan costs $1,406 versus $1,677 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mexico City compared to Iksan?
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.
Should I move to Mexico City or to Iksan?
If budget matters most, go with Iksan. 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