๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,466 in Mexico City versus $585 in Mostaganem.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,325 in Mexico City versus $936 in Mostaganem.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,184 in Mexico City versus $1,288 in Mostaganem.
๐Living in Mexico City is roughly 151% more expensive than Mostaganem, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 9% above, Mostaganem is 56% below.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.30MX$231
$3.13DZDย 414
324.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.8MX$932
$23.87DZDย 3,159
125.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42MX$163
$3.89DZDย 515
142.16%
Cappuccino
$3.59MX$62.3
$0.99DZDย 131
262.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$28.13
$0.57DZDย 75.7
184.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.49
$0.23DZDย 30.51
386.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.25MX$56.3
$1.98DZDย 262
64.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.65MX$80.6
$2.40DZDย 318
93.75%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.64MX$28.37
$0.83DZDย 109
97.59%
White Bread(500g)
$2.65MX$46.00
$0.15DZDย 19.29
1666.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.99
$1.31DZDย 173
49.62%
Eggs
$2.54MX$44.08
$1.81DZDย 240
40.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.97MX$173
$5.93DZDย 784
68.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.39MX$145
$4.10DZDย 543
104.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.83MX$205
$16.50DZDย 2,183
-28.30%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$49.62
$3.19DZDย 422
-10.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.73MX$30.05
$2.86DZDย 379
-39.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.50
$1.54DZDย 204
29.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.51
$0.57DZDย 76.0
259.65%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.64
$0.60DZDย 78.9
243.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28MX$39.54
$0.47DZDย 62.1
385.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.45MX$25.05
$0.73DZDย 96.3
98.63%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09MX$18.83
$0.28DZDย 36.73
289.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MX$73.9
$2.54DZDย 337
68.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.67MX$254
$7.14DZDย 945
105.46%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.58
$1.35DZDย 179
30.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.57MX$61.8
$2.15DZDย 285
66.05%
๐ Getting Around
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.67
$0.16DZDย 20.73
137.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.73MX$325
$17.50DZDย 2,316
7.03%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.09
$0.27DZDย 36.03
414.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.26
$0.36DZDย 47.80
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.41MX$93.8
$5.52DZDย 730
-1.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.34MX$23.22
$0.30DZDย 39.23
346.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$326.7K
$36.4KDZDย 4.8M
-48.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$402.0K
$33.4KDZDย 4.4M
-30.55%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.30MX$698
$40.24DZDย 5,325
0.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.15MX$471
$7.77DZDย 1,028
249.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.46MX$510
$17.10DZDย 2,263
72.28%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.7MX$914
$23.47DZDย 3,105
124.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.17MX$454
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$107
$6.07DZDย 803
1.81%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$441MX$7,637
$95.2DZDย 12.6K
363.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$185.4K
$3,629DZDย 480.2K
194.79%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.2MX$992
$36.64DZDย 4,849
56.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.04MX$781
$44.92DZDย 5,945
0.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,793
$74.8DZDย 9,893
38.43%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,884
$75.7DZDย 10.0K
43.67%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.3K
$195DZDย 25.7K
413.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$632MX$11.0K
$114DZDย 15.1K
454.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,141MX$37.1K
$273DZDย 36.1K
684.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,253MX$21.7K
$186DZDย 24.6K
574.54%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,745MX$64.9K
$940DZDย 124.4K
298.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,381MX$41.3K
-
-
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,079MX$18.7K
$239DZDย 31.6K
352.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
5.42
109.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 20, 2026
Last update for Mostaganem: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,000 in Mexico City and $195 in Mostaganem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐMexico City pays 353% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
๐Dining out: $54 in Mexico City vs $24 in Mostaganem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $286 vs $186 per month, with Mostaganem cheaper across the board.
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 Mostaganem: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Mostaganem?
Mexico City and Mostaganem differ by about 151% in total monthly costs ($1,466 vs $585 including rent). Mostaganem is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Mostaganem?
Mexico City pays 353% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and Mostaganem?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,000 in Mexico City versus $195 in Mostaganem. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and Mostaganem?
A monthly transit pass in Mostaganem runs roughly 7% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Mostaganem?
Childcare runs $441 in Mexico City versus $95.2 in Mostaganem. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $585 in Mostaganem versus $1,466 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mostaganem but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Mostaganem the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Mostaganem?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Mexico City or Mostaganem safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Mostaganem are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Mostaganem?
Expats usually find Mostaganem gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 151% less than in Mexico City. 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