😐A single person spends $1,660 per month in Mexico City vs $306 in Kaduna, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,565 per month in Mexico City vs $541 in Kaduna, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,470 per month in Mexico City vs $776 in Kaduna, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 442% more than Kaduna, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Mexico City sits 21% above the global median, while Kaduna is 78% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$205
$1.10₦1,461
983.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$889
$18.75₦24.9K
175.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
$1.85₦2,452
516.76%
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.8
$3.28₦4,364
21.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.57
$0.21₦275
690.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.84
$0.07₦96.7
1800.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.8
$0.47₦628
638.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
$0.78₦1,042
656.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.31
$1.50₦1,990
25.33%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.0
$0.46₦609
606.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.21
$0.69₦920
213.04%
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.87
$1.29₦1,712
124.81%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$221
$0.72₦955
1686.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$5.14₦6,833
95.53%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
$1.86₦2,472
752.69%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.7
$2.05₦2,719
60.49%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.55
$1.11₦1,470
81.08%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.88
$0.40₦526
450.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.57
$0.57₦764
314.04%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.38
$0.71₦948
188.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.75
$0.77₦1,026
146.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.64
$0.16₦210
906.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.05
$0.14₦189
900.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.1
$1.98₦2,625
175.76%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
$1.84₦2,448
859.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.39
$1.18₦1,572
74.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.7
$1.78₦2,361
162.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.83
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$358
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.11
$0.58₦766
262.07%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.63
$0.86₦1,146
-34.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
$1.87₦2,484
210.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.65
$0.55₦732
192.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.3K
$25.9K₦34.4M
-11.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$460.6K
$18.5K₦24.6M
44.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,122
$7.57₦10.1K
761.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$518
$3.68₦4,890
717.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$640
$18.53₦24.6K
100.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,029
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$457
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
$4.79₦6,367
46.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,001
$45.95₦61.0K
911.23%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.6K
$3,163₦4.2M
319.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,307
$5.89₦7,829
1188.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$963
$11.12₦14.8K
403.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,926
$11.21₦14.9K
897.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,075
$11.22₦14.9K
973.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
$130₦172.1K
751.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
$86.6₦115.1K
731.94%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
$437₦580.5K
478.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
$228₦302.6K
467.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.7K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Kaduna
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
22.5
-49.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Kaduna: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,103 in Mexico City versus $130 in Kaduna. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City versus $19.00 in Kaduna. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $345 vs $101 – making Kaduna 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 Kaduna: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Kaduna?
Mexico City costs about 442% more than Kaduna, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Kaduna?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,489 per month in Mexico City and $459 in Kaduna. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Kaduna?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kaduna, 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 Kaduna?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City and $19.00 in Kaduna. 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 Kaduna?
Groceries cost about 240% more in Mexico City, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Mexico City or in Kaduna?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kaduna, where all-in costs run around $306, than in Mexico City at $1,660. In Kaduna 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 Kaduna?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kaduna costs $306 versus $1,660 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Mexico City or to Kaduna?
If budget matters most, go with Kaduna. 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