Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Los Gatos, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Los Gatos, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,448 per month in Mexico City vs $2,771 in Los Gatos, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,354 per month in Mexico City vs $4,195 in Los Gatos, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,260 per month in Mexico City vs $5,620 in Los Gatos, CA, rent included.

Mexico City is about 48% cheaper than Los Gatos, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Mexico City and Los Gatos, CA sit above the global median – Mexico City by 9%, Los Gatos, CA by 108%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.96 MX$223

$30.53 $30.53

-57.55%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.3 MX$900

$112 $112

-53.34%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.69 MX$167

$13.84 $13.84

-29.99%

Cappuccino

$3.75 MX$64.6

$4.79 $4.79

-21.71%

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

$1.56 MX$26.91

$3.04 $3.04

-48.68%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.16 MX$19.93

$2.23 $2.23

-47.98%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.24 MX$55.8

$9.03 $9.03

-64.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.90 MX$84.3

$7.76 $7.76

-36.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.29

$1.48 $1.48

14.86%

White Bread (500g)

$2.67 MX$45.90

$4.96 $4.96

-46.17%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.89 MX$32.49

$3.12 $3.12

-39.42%

Eggs

$2.52 MX$43.37

$5.49 $5.49

-54.10%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.02 MX$172

$13.05 $13.05

-23.22%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.53 MX$147

$14.92 $14.92

-42.83%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.94 MX$205

$16.82 $16.82

-29.01%

Apples (1kg)

$2.97 MX$51.1

$7.75 $7.75

-61.68%

Banana (1kg)

$1.79 MX$30.88

$2.24 $2.24

-20.09%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.00 MX$34.40

$4.34 $4.34

-53.92%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.96 MX$33.74

$4.85 $4.85

-59.59%

Potato (1kg)

$2.16 MX$37.21

$3.01 $3.01

-28.24%

Onion (1kg)

$2.27 MX$39.04

$3.37 $3.37

-32.64%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 MX$24.14

$2.13 $2.13

-34.27%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.11 MX$19.18

$2.64 $2.64

-57.95%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.20 MX$72.2

$10.65 $10.65

-60.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$16.54 MX$285

$13.24 $13.24

24.92%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 MX$28.94

$1.72 $1.72

-2.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.59 MX$61.8

$4.05 $4.05

-11.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.39 MX$6.65

$1.97 $1.97

-80.20%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.19 MX$330

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 MX$23.77

$3.44 $3.44

-59.88%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.30 MX$5.19

$1.81 $1.81

-83.43%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.39 MX$92.7

$29.80 $29.80

-81.91%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 MX$22.13

$1.30 $1.30

-0.77%

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

$18.9K MX$325.1K

$23.5K $23.5K

-19.49%

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

$23.8K MX$409.5K

$25.9K $25.9K

-8.24%

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

$39.86 MX$686

$220 $220

-81.89%

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

$27.83 MX$479

$38.25 $38.25

-27.24%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.77 MX$512

$62.0 $62.0

-51.97%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.0 MX$894

$43.14 $43.14

20.45%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.22 MX$451

Cinema Ticket

$6.27 MX$108

$14.76 $14.76

-57.52%

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

$433 MX$7,443

$1,160 $1,160

-62.71%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.5K MX$181.3K

$23.5K $23.5K

-55.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$57.0 MX$981

$56.7 $56.7

0.55%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$45.33 MX$780

$39.96 $39.96

13.44%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$102 MX$1,753

$93.2 $93.2

9.26%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$109 MX$1,867

$80.2 $80.2

35.33%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$994 MX$17.1K

$1,620 $1,620

-38.64%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$617 MX$10.6K

$1,328 $1,328

-53.57%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,086 MX$35.9K

$2,667 $2,667

-21.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,256 MX$21.6K

$2,202 $2,202

-42.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,936 MX$67.7K

$3,446 $3,446

14.23%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,089 MX$35.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,131 MX$19.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

6.67

70.01%

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

Last update for Mexico City: June 14, 2026

Last update for Los Gatos, CA: June 15, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $994 in Mexico City versus $1,620 in Los Gatos, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City versus $112 in Los Gatos, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $292 vs $456 – 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 Los Gatos, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Los Gatos, CA costs about 91% more than Mexico City, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,173 per month in Mexico City and $4,156 in Los Gatos, CA. 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Mexico City and $112 in Los Gatos, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 56% more in Los Gatos, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Mexico City, where all-in costs run around $1,448, than in Los Gatos, CA at $2,771. In Mexico City it covers expenses comfortably, while in Los Gatos, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Mexico City costs $1,448 versus $2,771 in Los Gatos, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

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