đMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,484 in Mexico City versus $286 in Nampula.
đEstimated couple costs with rent: $2,381 in Mexico City versus $466 in Nampula.
đMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,278 in Mexico City versus $645 in Nampula.
đLiving in Mexico City is roughly 418% more expensive than Nampula, driven mainly by Eating Out.
đThe two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Nampula is 79% below.
Currency
đ˝ Eating Out
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$227
$4.31MZNÂ 275
201.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.1MX$929
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72MX$170
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.6
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.46
$0.82MZNÂ 52.3
91.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.76
$0.62MZNÂ 39.33
82.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.7
$1.26MZNÂ 80.5
152.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66MX$81.6
$1.53MZNÂ 97.6
204.58%
đ Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MX$28.37
$1.80MZNÂ 114
-10.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.36
$0.45MZNÂ 28.93
502.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88MX$32.89
$1.12MZNÂ 71.4
67.86%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.90
$2.74MZNÂ 174
-8.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$176
$9.96MZNÂ 635
1.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
$3.48MZNÂ 222
138.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$209
$3.82MZNÂ 243
212.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$50.1
$2.70MZNÂ 172
5.93%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75MX$30.62
$2.38MZNÂ 152
-26.47%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.48
$2.04MZNÂ 130
1.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.46
$1.52MZNÂ 96.8
29.61%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.79
$1.45MZNÂ 92.6
48.97%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.16
$1.78MZNÂ 113
22.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.34
$0.80MZNÂ 50.9
73.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.69
$0.89MZNÂ 56.5
25.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$73.5
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$14.25MX$249
$6.23MZNÂ 397
128.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.85
$2.37MZNÂ 151
-25.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68MX$64.5
-
-
đ Getting Around
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$0.14MZNÂ 8.96
178.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66MX$327
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.26
$1.53MZNÂ 97.4
-9.15%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.32
$2.33MZNÂ 148
-87.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$94.9
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35MX$23.63
$1.55MZNÂ 98.5
-12.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$330.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$405.2K
-
-
đ§ž Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.82MX$714
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.50MX$481
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$532
-
-
đ Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4MX$935
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30MX$460
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$110
-
-
𧸠Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,632
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$183.2K
-
-
đđ Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$993
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.79MX$784
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,799
$93.9MZNÂ 5,980
9.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,888
-
-
đ Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620MX$10.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137MX$37.4K
$948MZNÂ 60.4K
125.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,235MX$21.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,865MX$67.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,332MX$40.8K
-
-
đľ Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,067MX$18.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input â minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Last update for Nampula: April 26, 2026
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 Nampula: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Nampula?
Mexico City and Nampula differ by about 418% in total monthly costs ($1,484 vs $286 including rent). Nampula is meaningfully more affordable â a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Mexico City compared to Nampula?
You'd need roughly $2,225 in Mexico City and $430 in Nampula 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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 53% higher in Mexico City. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Nampula?
All in, you'll spend $1,484 per month in Mexico City versus $286 in Nampula â a 418% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $286 in Nampula versus $1,484 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Nampula but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Nampula the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Nampula?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better â the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Nampula?
Expats usually find Nampula gentler on the wallet â expenses run 418% 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