😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,472 in Mexico City versus $1,155 in Kastamonu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Mexico City versus $1,796 in Kastamonu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,245 in Mexico City versus $2,437 in Kastamonu.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 27% more expensive than in Kastamonu, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Kastamonu is 13% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14MX$228
$9.44₺449
39.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5MX$927
$38.66₺1,838
38.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33MX$162
$8.85₺420
5.42%
Cappuccino
$3.70MX$64.1
$3.23₺154
14.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.80
$1.22₺58.1
31.15%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.37
$0.38₺18.18
194.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14MX$54.4
$3.39₺161
-7.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85MX$84.0
$3.92₺186
23.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.65
$0.96₺45.42
71.88%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.02
$0.70₺33.20
287.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.07
$2.30₺109
-16.96%
Eggs
$2.59MX$44.87
$2.28₺108
13.60%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81MX$170
$9.74₺463
0.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$146
$5.86₺279
43.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MX$207
$19.15₺910
-37.70%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95MX$51.2
$1.52₺72.1
94.08%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MX$30.15
$2.35₺112
-25.96%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04MX$35.43
$1.26₺59.8
61.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.69
$1.47₺69.9
40.14%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.25
$0.74₺35.26
190.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26MX$39.08
$0.57₺27.29
296.49%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.01
$1.13₺53.7
23.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.34
$0.39₺18.56
187.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22MX$73.1
$2.22₺106
90.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51MX$303
$9.66₺459
81.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.62
$2.05₺97.3
-16.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63MX$62.9
$3.11₺148
16.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35MX$6.11
$0.63₺29.96
-44.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.32MX$335
$30.44₺1,447
-36.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.84
$0.90₺42.96
53.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.78
$0.65₺30.90
-56.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.28MX$91.4
$6.50₺309
-18.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MX$23.53
$1.17₺55.8
16.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KMX$331.0K
$42.4K₺2.0M
-54.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KMX$409.0K
$43.4K₺2.1M
-45.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.53MX$702
$85.9₺4,083
-52.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.38MX$474
$11.04₺525
148.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$526
$14.03₺667
116.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.2MX$905
$43.05₺2,046
21.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.48MX$459
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MX$107
$6.26₺297
-1.12%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425MX$7,365
$608₺28.9K
-30.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$186.0K
$13.9K₺659.1K
-22.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,010
$57.7₺2,740
1.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.57MX$772
$44.18₺2,100
0.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,793
$106₺5,026
-2.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,884
$95.9₺4,559
13.38%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,014MX$17.6K
$509₺24.2K
99.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
$395₺18.8K
57.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,119MX$36.7K
$900₺42.8K
135.37%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.2K
$704₺33.5K
73.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,792MX$65.7K
$1,281₺60.9K
195.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,110MX$36.6K
$918₺43.6K
129.93%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Kastamonu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,052MX$18.2K
$1,305₺62.0K
-19.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
40
-71.65%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 25, 2026
Last update for Kastamonu: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,014 in Mexico City and $509 in Kastamonu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Kastamonu pays 24% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $39.00 in Kastamonu for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $233 per month, with Kastamonu cheaper across the board.
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 Kastamonu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Kastamonu?
Mexico City and Kastamonu differ by about 27% in total monthly costs ($1,472 vs $1,155 including rent). Kastamonu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 24% lower in Kastamonu. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Kastamonu?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,014 in Mexico City versus $509 in Kastamonu. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Kastamonu?
All in, you'll spend $1,472 per month in Mexico City versus $1,155 in Kastamonu – a 27% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and in Kastamonu?
A monthly transit pass in Kastamonu runs roughly 58% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,155 in Kastamonu versus $1,472 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kastamonu but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Kastamonu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Kastamonu?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Mexico City or Kastamonu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Kastamonu are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Kastamonu?
Expats usually find Kastamonu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 27% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared