Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Manhattan, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,608 a month against $2,248 in Manhattan, KS, rent and utilities included – about $7,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City, Mexico
Manhattan, KS, United States
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Manhattan, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,248
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Manhattan, KS

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mexico City and in Manhattan, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,608 in Mexico City versus $2,248 in Manhattan, KS.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Manhattan, KS $2,248

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,549 in Mexico City versus $3,250 in Manhattan, KS.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Manhattan, KS $3,250

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,490 in Mexico City versus $4,252 in Manhattan, KS.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Manhattan, KS $4,252

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 28% less than in Manhattan, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 18% above, Manhattan, KS 65% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$200
$14.90 $14.90
-28.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$909
$81.4 $81.4
-40.59%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$194
$12.21 $12.21
-15.23%
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.4
$5.43 $5.43
-32.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.32
$2.04 $2.04
-18.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.78
$1.46 $1.46
-13.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$60.0
$4.90 $4.90
-34.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.7
$9.25 $9.25
-42.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.41
$0.94 $0.94
82.98%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$57.1
$3.29 $3.29
-7.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$6.01 $6.01
-67.72%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.3
$4.57 $4.57
-36.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$206
$11.49 $11.49
-4.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$174
$8.54 $8.54
8.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$284
$14.95 $14.95
1.20%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.3
$6.73 $6.73
-54.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.48
$2.16 $2.16
-10.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$38.06
$5.87 $5.87
-65.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.50
$4.22 $4.22
-45.26%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.25
$3.43 $3.43
-40.52%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.83
$3.84 $3.84
-53.13%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.80
$1.84 $1.84
-19.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.82
$2.58 $2.58
-50.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.7
$9.02 $9.02
-41.24%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$303
$16.94 $16.94
-4.96%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.27
$1.71 $1.71
15.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.9
$2.56 $2.56
66.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.73
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$371
$60.7 $60.7
-67.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.53
$4.87 $4.87
-62.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$10.03
$1.82 $1.82
-70.88%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.5
$34.66 $34.66
-84.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.39
$0.85 $0.85
77.65%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$408.8K
$28.0K $28.0K
-22.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$450.8K
$25.8K $25.8K
-6.94%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,184
$147 $147
-57.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$515
$46.90 $46.90
-41.60%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$670
$66.1 $66.1
-46.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,108
$76.0 $76.0
-22.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$444
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$14.75 $14.75
-56.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,111
$814 $814
-47.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$214.7K
$11.3K $11.3K
1.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,282
$47.85 $47.85
42.57%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$999
$35.46 $35.46
49.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,026
$90.7 $90.7
18.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,204
$117 $117
0.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.9K
$900 $900
23.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.4K
$998 $998
-28.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.6K
$1,462 $1,462
76.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.4K
$1,412 $1,412
-0.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$68.2K
$1,514 $1,514
139.88%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$40.1K
$1,504 $1,504
41.95%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Manhattan, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.8K
$3,407 $3,407
-72.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
6.33
79.30%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Manhattan, KS: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Manhattan, KS
$998 40.4% $287
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Manhattan, KS
$402 25.7% $82
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Manhattan, KS
$278 39.9% $79
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Manhattan, KS
$131 16.1% $25
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Manhattan, KS
$260 106% $134
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Manhattan, KS
$106 47.1% $34
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Manhattan, KS
$75 * 193% $49

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,113 in Mexico City and $900 in Manhattan, KS. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Manhattan, KS pays about 3.6 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $48 in Mexico City vs $81 in Manhattan, KS for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $402 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Manhattan, KS
🕒 Local time
23:07 11:07 PM
23:07 11:07 PM
Same time as Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
1,694,251
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.79 MXN (100 MXN = 5.32 USD). 1 EUR = 20.98 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Manhattan, KS 2,210 km ≈ 3 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Manhattan, KS

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Manhattan, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mexico City cheaper than Manhattan, KS?
Mexico City is about 28% cheaper overall, especially in groceries, eating out, and utilities. That difference adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mexico City or Manhattan, KS?
On paper, salaries run 72% lower in Mexico City. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Mexico City and Manhattan, KS?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,113 in Mexico City versus $900 in Manhattan, KS. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $432 in Mexico City versus $814 in Manhattan, KS. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Mexico City and in Manhattan, KS?
Supermarket bills run roughly 26% higher in Manhattan, KS. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $3,000 enough for either Mexico City or Manhattan, KS?
Either city works on $3,000 a month, though Mexico City gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is it better to live in Mexico City or in Manhattan, KS?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
It comes down to priorities – Mexico City wins on affordability, Manhattan, KS on earning potential. Factor in climate, language, visa rules, and proximity to places that matter to you before deciding.

Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?