😐A single person spends $1,660 per month in Mexico City vs $281 in Kollam, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,565 per month in Mexico City vs $456 in Kollam, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,470 per month in Mexico City vs $630 in Kollam, rent included.
😐Mexico City costs about 490% more than Kollam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Mexico City sits 21% above the global median, while Kollam is 79% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$206
$1.02₹98.0
1068.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$890
$6.14₹589
740.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
$3.59₹345
217.83%
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.9
$1.40₹134
185.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.61
$0.41₹39.29
304.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.87
$0.15₹14.58
786.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.9
$1.12₹107
209.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
$2.68₹257
120.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.36
$0.57₹54.8
229.82%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.1
$0.40₹38.54
712.50%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.26
$0.47₹45.22
359.57%
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.94
$0.75₹71.5
286.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$222
$5.27₹506
144.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$2.04₹196
392.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.8
$1.64₹158
100.61%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.60
$0.58₹56.0
246.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.93
$0.68₹64.8
223.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.63
$0.39₹37.50
505.13%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.43
$0.43₹41.44
376.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.79
$0.35₹33.89
442.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.68
$0.36₹34.46
347.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.09
$0.30₹29.07
366.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.2
$5.09₹488
7.27%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
$2.64₹254
568.56%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.44
$1.67₹160
23.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.8
$2.75₹264
70.18%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.16₹399
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.84
$0.15₹14.47
126.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$359
$7.16₹687
190.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.15
$1.02₹98.1
105.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.64
$0.26₹24.91
115.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
$1.60₹154
263.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.68
$1.06₹102
51.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.8K
$10.4K₹999.3K
119.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$461.2K
$16.4K₹1.6M
62.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,124
$32.97₹3,163
97.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$519
$2.93₹281
926.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$641
$5.23₹502
610.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,030
$13.31₹1,277
348.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$458
$12.75₹1,223
108.24%
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
$1.53₹147
360.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,012
$20.74₹1,990
2140.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.9K
$1,328₹127.4K
899.54%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,308
$16.33₹1,567
364.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$965
$21.68₹2,080
158.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,929
$24.98₹2,396
347.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,078
$24.08₹2,310
400.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
$82.3₹7,892
1240.32%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
$46.28₹4,441
1457.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
$182₹17.5K
1290.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
$114₹10.9K
1033.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.8K
$828₹79.4K
382.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
$443₹42.5K
371.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Kollam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
$530₹50.9K
95.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
9.13
23.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Kollam: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,103 in Mexico City versus $82.3 in Kollam. 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 96% higher in Mexico City, 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 $52.0 in Mexico City versus $6.00 in Kollam. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $345 vs $83.0 – making Kollam 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 Kollam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Mexico City or Kollam?
Mexico City costs about 490% more than Kollam, 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 Kollam?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,489 per month in Mexico City and $422 in Kollam. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Mexico City or Kollam?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kollam, 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 in Kollam?
Groceries cost about 315% 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.
How do dining costs compare in Mexico City and in Kollam?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City and $6.00 in Kollam. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Mexico City or in Kollam?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kollam, where all-in costs run around $281, than in Mexico City at $1,660. In Kollam 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 Kollam?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kollam costs $281 versus $1,660 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 Kollam?
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 Kollam?
If budget matters most, go with Kollam. 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