🙂A single person spends $1,466 per month in Mexico City vs $2,707 in Katy, TX, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,325 per month in Mexico City vs $3,566 in Katy, TX, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,184 per month in Mexico City vs $4,425 in Katy, TX, rent included.
🙂Mexico City is about 46% cheaper than Katy, TX, driven mainly by Getting Around.
📊Both Mexico City and Katy, TX sit above the global median – Mexico City by 9%, Katy, TX by 102%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.30MX$231
$13.58$13.58
-2.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.8MX$932
$60.9$60.9
-11.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42MX$163
$9.20$9.20
2.39%
Cappuccino
$3.59MX$62.3
$4.51$4.51
-20.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$28.13
$2.28$2.28
-28.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.49
$1.98$1.98
-43.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25MX$56.3
$3.91$3.91
-16.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65MX$80.6
$5.87$5.87
-20.78%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64MX$28.37
$0.96$0.96
70.83%
White Bread(500g)
$2.65MX$46.00
$2.96$2.96
-10.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.99
$4.67$4.67
-58.03%
Eggs
$2.54MX$44.08
$3.08$3.08
-17.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.97MX$173
$10.62$10.62
-6.12%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.39MX$145
$10.20$10.20
-17.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.83MX$205
$14.76$14.76
-19.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$49.62
$3.79$3.79
-24.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73MX$30.05
$1.18$1.18
46.61%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.50
$3.09$3.09
-35.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.51
$3.18$3.18
-35.53%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.64
$1.88$1.88
9.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28MX$39.54
$2.48$2.48
-8.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45MX$25.05
$1.70$1.70
-14.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09MX$18.83
$1.28$1.28
-14.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MX$73.9
$8.90$8.90
-52.02%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.67MX$254
$12.32$12.32
19.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.58
$1.75$1.75
0.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57MX$61.8
$1.86$1.86
91.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.67
$3.16$3.16
-87.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.73MX$325
$90.6$90.6
-79.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.09
$3.42$3.42
-59.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.26
$1.84$1.84
-83.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.41MX$93.8
$45.39$45.39
-88.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.34MX$23.22
$0.78$0.78
71.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$326.7K
$29.3K$29.3K
-35.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$402.0K
$23.9K$23.9K
-2.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.30MX$698
$202$202
-80.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.15MX$471
$59.4$59.4
-54.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.46MX$510
$75.3$75.3
-60.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.7MX$914
$31.30$31.30
68.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.17MX$454
$25.39$25.39
3.07%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$107
$13.60$13.60
-54.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$441MX$7,637
$1,001$1,001
-55.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$185.4K
$16.1K$16.1K
-33.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.2MX$992
$45.03$45.03
27.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.04MX$781
$41.83$41.83
7.67%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,793
$90.6$90.6
14.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,884
$113$113
-4.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.3K
$1,672$1,672
-40.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$632MX$11.0K
$1,547$1,547
-59.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,141MX$37.1K
$2,329$2,329
-8.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,253MX$21.7K
$1,884$1,884
-33.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,745MX$64.9K
$2,070$2,070
80.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,381MX$41.3K
$1,742$1,742
36.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Katy, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,079MX$18.7K
$5,989$5,989
-81.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
6.29
80.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 20, 2026
Last update for Katy, TX: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,000 in Mexico City versus $1,672 in Katy, TX. 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 455% higher in Katy, TX, 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 in Mexico City versus $61 in Katy, TX. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $286 vs $322 – 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 Katy, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Katy, TX?
Katy, TX costs about 85% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Getting Around. 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 vs Katy, TX?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,199 per month in Mexico City and $4,061 in Katy, TX. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Katy, TX?
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.
Are groceries more expensive in Mexico City or Katy, TX?
Groceries cost about 12% more in Katy, TX, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City vs Katy, TX?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $54.0 in Mexico City and $61.0 in Katy, TX. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Mexico City or Katy, TX?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,466, than in Katy, TX at $2,707. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Katy, TX it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Mexico City or Katy, TX?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,466 versus $2,707 in Katy, TX. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Mexico City compared to Katy, TX?
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 Katy, TX?
If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Katy, TX makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared