Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Lansing, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Lansing, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,682 per month in Mexico City vs $2,555 in Lansing, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,599 per month in Mexico City vs $3,740 in Lansing, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,516 per month in Mexico City vs $4,926 in Lansing, IL, rent included.

Mexico City is about 34% cheaper than Lansing, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mexico City and Lansing, IL sit above the global median – Mexico City by 23%, Lansing, IL by 86%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.83 MX$200

$20.24 $20.24

-41.55%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.2 MX$884

$74.8 $74.8

-30.24%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.87 MX$184

$11.31 $11.31

-3.89%

Cappuccino

$4.03 MX$68.2

$5.31 $5.31

-24.11%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.71 MX$28.99

$2.69 $2.69

-36.43%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.34 MX$22.70

$1.96 $1.96

-31.63%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.39 MX$57.5

$6.04 $6.04

-43.87%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.74 MX$97.3

$6.99 $6.99

-17.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.89 MX$31.99

$1.05 $1.05

80.00%

White Bread (500g)

$3.17 MX$53.8

$3.46 $3.46

-8.38%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.05 MX$34.74

$4.27 $4.27

-51.99%

Eggs

$3.01 MX$51.1

$4.35 $4.35

-30.80%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.61 MX$214

$12.19 $12.19

3.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.94 MX$169

$11.45 $11.45

-13.19%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$16.00 MX$271

$16.38 $16.38

-2.32%

Apples (1kg)

$3.28 MX$55.6

$5.09 $5.09

-35.56%

Banana (1kg)

$2.06 MX$34.87

$1.68 $1.68

22.62%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.09 MX$35.36

$4.49 $4.49

-53.45%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.50 MX$42.44

$4.70 $4.70

-46.81%

Potato (1kg)

$2.05 MX$34.76

$2.88 $2.88

-28.82%

Onion (1kg)

$1.87 MX$31.70

$2.97 $2.97

-37.04%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.57 MX$26.66

$2.08 $2.08

-24.52%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.39 MX$23.64

$2.32 $2.32

-40.09%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.38 MX$91.2

$9.82 $9.82

-45.21%

Wine (Bottle)

$17.95 MX$304

$14.89 $14.89

20.55%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.02 MX$34.31

$1.92 $1.92

5.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.76 MX$80.7

$3.49 $3.49

36.39%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.36 MX$6.13

$1.96 $1.96

-81.63%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$20.80 MX$353

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.06 MX$34.92

$2.97 $2.97

-30.64%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.56 MX$9.55

$1.79 $1.79

-68.72%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.82 MX$98.6

$28.48 $28.48

-79.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.54 MX$26.05

$1.04 $1.04

48.08%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.5K MX$380.6K

$36.0K $36.0K

-37.66%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.5K MX$448.7K

$25.3K $25.3K

4.76%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$66.0 MX$1,118

$200 $200

-67.08%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$30.98 MX$525

$59.2 $59.2

-47.64%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$36.20 MX$613

$69.7 $69.7

-48.03%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$57.5 MX$975

$40.50 $40.50

42.05%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.75 MX$453

Cinema Ticket

$7.13 MX$121

$13.59 $13.59

-47.53%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$457 MX$7,738

$1,440 $1,440

-68.28%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$13.2K MX$224.5K

$23.2K $23.2K

-42.81%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$75.8 MX$1,285

$52.0 $52.0

45.74%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.1 MX$917

$40.89 $40.89

32.33%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$116 MX$1,974

$88.7 $88.7

31.34%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$122 MX$2,063

$118 $118

3.13%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,147 MX$19.4K

$1,567 $1,567

-26.76%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$726 MX$12.3K

$1,266 $1,266

-42.68%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,503 MX$42.4K

$2,537 $2,537

-1.35%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,331 MX$22.6K

$2,097 $2,097

-36.53%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,895 MX$66.0K

$2,762 $2,762

41.01%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,149 MX$36.4K

$2,413 $2,413

-10.95%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,069 MX$18.1K

$3,105 $3,105

-65.57%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.35

6.12

85.46%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mexico City: August 17, 2026

Last update for Lansing, IL: August 16, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,147 in Mexico City versus $1,567 in Lansing, IL. 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 190% higher in Lansing, IL, 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 $75.0 in Lansing, IL. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $344 vs $397 – 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 Lansing, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Lansing, IL is pricier by about 52%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,523 per month in Mexico City and $3,832 in Lansing, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,682 in Mexico City and $2,555 in Lansing, IL. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $457 per month in Mexico City and $1,440 in Lansing, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,682, than in Lansing, IL at $2,555. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lansing, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Mexico City – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Mexico City. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lansing, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.