😐A single person spends $1,646 per month in Mexico City vs $1,170 in Kanazawa, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,613 per month in Mexico City vs $1,850 in Kanazawa, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,580 per month in Mexico City vs $2,531 in Kanazawa, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 41% more than Kanazawa, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Mexico City sits 20% above the global median, while Kanazawa is 15% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.11MX$205
$5.15¥804
135.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.2MX$883
$31.28¥4,886
66.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.90MX$184
$4.89¥764
122.90%
Cappuccino
$4.05MX$68.5
$2.97¥463
36.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72MX$28.99
$1.42¥222
21.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38MX$23.28
$0.74¥115
86.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$58.6
$2.65¥413
30.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81MX$98.2
$3.72¥580
56.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.32
$1.44¥225
28.47%
White Bread(500g)
$3.22MX$54.5
$1.29¥202
149.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.09MX$35.24
$5.17¥807
-59.57%
Eggs
$2.91MX$49.16
$2.10¥329
38.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.49MX$211
$9.34¥1,459
33.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$171
$9.39¥1,467
7.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.89MX$269
$18.24¥2,850
-12.88%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31MX$56.0
$3.26¥509
1.53%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13MX$35.94
$1.99¥310
7.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.02
$2.00¥313
9.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.45MX$41.36
$3.93¥614
-37.66%
Potato(1kg)
$2.19MX$36.99
$1.47¥230
48.98%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.19
$1.12¥174
69.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62MX$27.30
$1.30¥204
24.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35MX$22.81
$0.76¥119
77.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.43MX$91.7
$3.94¥616
37.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.59MX$297
$9.53¥1,489
84.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$34.95
$1.92¥300
7.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75MX$80.2
$3.22¥503
47.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.74
$1.51¥235
-77.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.58MX$365
$54.9¥8,577
-60.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.04MX$34.48
$3.77¥590
-45.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.77
$3.09¥483
-81.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.97MX$101
$21.18¥3,309
-71.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62MX$27.30
$1.08¥168
50.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$385.5K
$21.7K¥3.4M
5.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KMX$450.6K
$14.8K¥2.3M
80.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,102
$136¥21.3K
-52.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.87MX$505
$24.23¥3,786
23.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.55MX$618
$30.87¥4,822
18.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0MX$1,031
$42.52¥6,643
43.46%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.70MX$451
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.85MX$116
$11.45¥1,789
-40.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$453MX$7,662
$507¥79.2K
-10.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KMX$226.0K
$13.1K¥2.0M
2.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.0MX$1,267
$43.28¥6,762
73.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3MX$934
$30.70¥4,796
80.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114MX$1,920
$72.3¥11.3K
57.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123MX$2,073
$89.3¥14.0K
37.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,134MX$19.2K
$401¥62.6K
182.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712MX$12.0K
$332¥51.9K
114.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,571MX$43.4K
$1,019¥159.2K
152.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,311MX$22.2K
$638¥99.7K
105.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,993MX$67.5K
$3,731¥582.8K
7.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,095MX$35.4K
$1,887¥294.7K
11.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Kanazawa
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,047MX$17.7K
$1,867¥291.7K
-43.93%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
2.21
411.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: August 29, 2026
Last update for Kanazawa: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,134 in Mexico City versus $401 in Kanazawa. 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 78% higher in Kanazawa, 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 $52.0 in Mexico City versus $31.00 in Kanazawa. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $345 vs $298 – making Kanazawa 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 Kanazawa: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Mexico City and in Kanazawa compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,646 in Mexico City, $1,170 in Kanazawa – roughly 41% apart. Mexico City costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Kanazawa?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,469 per month in Mexico City and $1,754 in Kanazawa. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Mexico City and Kanazawa?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kanazawa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Kanazawa?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,646 in Mexico City and $1,170 in Kanazawa. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and in Kanazawa?
Public transport costs about 154% less in Kanazawa. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Kanazawa, where all-in costs run around $1,170, than in Mexico City at $1,646. In Kanazawa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Kanazawa?
It depends on your priorities. Mexico City has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,170 in Kanazawa to $1,646 in Mexico City. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Mexico City and Kanazawa?
If budget matters most, go with Kanazawa. 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