Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Malindi Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Malindi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,447 per month in Mexico City vs $348 in Malindi, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,310 per month in Mexico City vs $571 in Malindi, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,174 per month in Mexico City vs $794 in Malindi, rent included.

Mexico City costs about 316% more than Malindi, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Mexico City sits 8% above the global median, while Malindi is 74% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$12.98 MX$223

$2.12 KES 274

512.26%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$52.6 MX$903

$30.55 KES 3,962

72.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.43 MX$162

Cappuccino

$3.57 MX$61.3

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

$1.61 MX$27.55

$1.60 KES 207

0.63%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.15 MX$19.81

$0.91 KES 119

26.37%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.15 MX$54.0

$3.57 KES 463

-11.76%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.86 MX$83.4

$3.56 KES 461

36.52%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.70 MX$29.17

$0.97 KES 126

75.26%

White Bread (500g)

$2.64 MX$45.23

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.67

$1.27 KES 164

49.61%

Eggs

$2.54 MX$43.62

$2.92 KES 379

-13.01%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.08 MX$173

$11.84 KES 1,535

-14.86%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.29 MX$142

$6.05 KES 785

37.02%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.57 MX$199

$5.11 KES 662

126.42%

Apples (1kg)

$3.03 MX$52.0

$3.03 KES 393

Banana (1kg)

$1.71 MX$29.35

$0.78 KES 101

119.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.05 MX$35.16

$2.67 KES 347

-23.22%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.36

$0.67 KES 87.3

207.46%

Potato (1kg)

$2.06 MX$35.43

$0.75 KES 97.4

174.67%

Onion (1kg)

$2.17 MX$37.25

$0.70 KES 91.0

210.00%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.40 MX$24.08

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.12 MX$19.26

$0.48 KES 62.0

133.33%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.29 MX$73.7

Wine (Bottle)

$15.41 MX$265

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.67 MX$28.74

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.69 MX$63.3

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.38 MX$6.55

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$19.06 MX$327

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.38 MX$23.70

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.28 MX$4.74

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.42 MX$92.9

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.28 MX$21.98

$1.36 KES 176

-5.88%

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

$19.0K MX$325.8K

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

$23.5K MX$402.7K

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

$41.02 MX$704

$76.8 KES 9,957

-46.59%

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

$26.92 MX$462

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.69 MX$510

$30.80 KES 3,993

-3.60%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.3 MX$898

$38.73 KES 5,021

35.11%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$26.23 MX$450

Cinema Ticket

$6.18 MX$106

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

$427 MX$7,331

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$10.7K MX$183.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$56.8 MX$975

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.83 MX$769

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$105 MX$1,794

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$106 MX$1,819

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$995 MX$17.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$621 MX$10.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,126 MX$36.5K

$392 KES 50.8K

442.47%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,254 MX$21.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,903 MX$67.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,096 MX$36.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,107 MX$19.0K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.34

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

Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026

Last update for Malindi: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $53.0 in Mexico City versus $31.00 in Malindi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $151 – making Malindi 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 Malindi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico City costs about 316% more than Malindi, 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 $2,171 per month in Mexico City and $522 in Malindi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,447 in Mexico City and $348 in Malindi. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 91% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Malindi, where all-in costs run around $348, than in Mexico City at $1,447. In Malindi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Mexico City it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Malindi costs $348 versus $1,447 in Mexico City. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Malindi. 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.