🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,472 in Mexico City versus $2,466 in Montross, VA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Mexico City versus $3,506 in Montross, VA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,245 in Mexico City versus $4,545 in Montross, VA.
🌍Living in Mexico City costs roughly 40% less than in Montross, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City11% above, Montross, VA85% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14MX$229
$24.38$24.38
-46.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5MX$934
$37.83$37.83
41.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33MX$163
$10.86$10.86
-14.09%
Cappuccino
$3.70MX$64.5
$2.05$2.05
80.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.98
$1.96$1.96
-18.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.49
$2.59$2.59
-56.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14MX$54.7
$3.93$3.93
-20.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85MX$84.5
$6.85$6.85
-29.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.84
$1.20$1.20
37.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.34
$1.98$1.98
36.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.29
$6.98$6.98
-72.64%
Eggs
$2.59MX$45.17
$4.15$4.15
-37.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81MX$171
$5.90$5.90
66.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$147
$14.88$14.88
-43.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MX$208
$7.25$7.25
64.55%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95MX$51.5
$2.83$2.83
4.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MX$30.35
$1.05$1.05
65.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04MX$35.66
$2.53$2.53
-19.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.93
$5.74$5.74
-64.11%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.49
$4.20$4.20
-48.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26MX$39.33
$3.35$3.35
-32.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.17
$1.13$1.13
23.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.47
$0.82$0.82
36.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22MX$73.6
$3.82$3.82
10.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51MX$305
$16.76$16.76
4.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.82
$1.91$1.91
-10.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63MX$63.4
$3.22$3.22
12.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35MX$6.15
$1.97$1.97
-82.23%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.32MX$337
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$24.00
$2.80$2.80
-50.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.81
$1.58$1.58
-82.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.28MX$92.0
$25.43$25.43
-79.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MX$23.69
$0.88$0.88
54.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KMX$333.2K
$30.6K$30.6K
-37.67%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KMX$411.7K
$24.7K$24.7K
-4.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.53MX$707
$129$129
-68.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.38MX$478
$44.69$44.69
-38.73%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$530
$70.6$70.6
-56.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.2MX$911
$43.65$43.65
19.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.48MX$462
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MX$108
$15.29$15.29
-59.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425MX$7,414
$1,949$1,949
-78.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$187.2K
$36.6K$36.6K
-70.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,017
$55.9$55.9
4.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.57MX$777
$53.2$53.2
-16.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,805
$93.2$93.2
11.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,897
$116$116
-6.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,014MX$17.7K
$1,631$1,631
-37.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.9K
$1,377$1,377
-54.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,119MX$37.0K
$2,677$2,677
-20.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.3K
$2,208$2,208
-44.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,792MX$66.1K
$2,568$2,568
47.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,110MX$36.8K
$2,576$2,576
-18.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Montross, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,052MX$18.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
6.55
73.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 25, 2026
Last update for Montross, VA: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,014 in Mexico City and $1,631 in Montross, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $38.00 in Montross, VA. Groceries flip the comparison at $293 vs $333, with Mexico City cheaper for home cooking.
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 Montross, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Montross, VA?
Mexico City and Montross, VA differ by about 68% in total monthly costs ($1,472 vs $2,466 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Montross, VA?
You'd need roughly $2,208 in Mexico City and $3,699 in Montross, VA to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Montross, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,014 in Mexico City versus $1,631 in Montross, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Montross, VA?
Childcare runs $425 in Mexico City versus $1,949 in Montross, VA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mexico City – a meal for two runs $54.0 versus $38.00 in Montross, VA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,472 in Mexico City versus $2,466 in Montross, VA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Montross, VA. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Montross, VA?
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.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Montross, VA?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 68% less than in Montross, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared