😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City versus $597 in Mostaganem.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,310 in Mexico City versus $953 in Mostaganem.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,174 in Mexico City versus $1,309 in Mostaganem.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 142% more expensive than Mostaganem, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 8% above, Mostaganem is 56% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$223
$3.24DZD 429
300.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6MX$903
$23.58DZD 3,125
123.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43MX$162
$3.94DZD 522
139.34%
Cappuccino
$3.57MX$61.3
$1.02DZD 136
250.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61MX$27.55
$0.61DZD 81.4
163.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.81
$0.23DZD 30.54
400.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15MX$54.0
$1.90DZD 252
65.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86MX$83.4
$2.43DZD 322
100.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.17
$0.80DZD 107
112.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64MX$45.23
$0.14DZD 18.01
1785.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.67
$1.36DZD 180
39.71%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.62
$1.86DZD 247
36.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$173
$6.08DZD 806
65.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$142
$4.11DZD 544
101.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.57MX$199
$16.38DZD 2,171
-29.37%
Apples(1kg)
$3.03MX$52.0
$3.17DZD 420
-4.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.35
$2.97DZD 394
-42.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.16
$1.55DZD 206
32.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.36
$0.58DZD 77.4
255.17%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.43
$0.60DZD 79.2
243.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.25
$0.46DZD 60.5
371.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.08
$0.68DZD 90.1
105.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.26
$0.28DZD 36.92
300.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29MX$73.7
$2.66DZD 352
61.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.41MX$265
$6.84DZD 907
125.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.74
$1.28DZD 170
30.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69MX$63.3
$2.18DZD 288
69.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.55
$0.19DZD 25.52
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.06MX$327
$17.56DZD 2,327
8.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.70
$0.27DZD 35.93
411.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.74
$0.34DZD 44.66
-17.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$92.9
$5.65DZD 749
-4.07%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28MX$21.98
$0.30DZD 39.54
326.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KMX$325.8K
$36.6KDZD 4.8M
-48.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KMX$402.7K
$33.7KDZD 4.5M
-30.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.02MX$704
$40.26DZD 5,336
1.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92MX$462
$8.05DZD 1,067
234.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69MX$510
$16.92DZD 2,243
75.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3MX$898
$22.95DZD 3,042
128.02%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23MX$450
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$106
$6.06DZD 804
1.98%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427MX$7,331
$95.3DZD 12.6K
348.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$183.6K
$3,641DZD 482.6K
193.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$975
$36.13DZD 4,788
57.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83MX$769
$45.45DZD 6,024
-1.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105MX$1,794
$75.8DZD 10.0K
37.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,819
$75.7DZD 10.0K
39.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995MX$17.1K
$195DZD 25.8K
410.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$621MX$10.7K
$115DZD 15.3K
437.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126MX$36.5K
$275DZD 36.5K
672.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254MX$21.5K
$186DZD 24.7K
572.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.0K
$1,142DZD 151.3K
241.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,096MX$36.0K
$1,179DZD 156.3K
77.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Mostaganem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,107MX$19.0K
$234DZD 31.0K
374.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
5.42
109.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Last update for Mostaganem: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $995 in Mexico City and $195 in Mostaganem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 374% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $24.00 in Mostaganem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 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 142% in total monthly costs ($1,447 vs $597 including rent). Mostaganem is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Mostaganem?
Mexico City pays 374% 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: $995 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 9% 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 $427 in Mexico City versus $95.3 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 $597 in Mostaganem versus $1,447 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 – 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 – expenses run 142% 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