😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,660 in Mexico City versus $529 in Nampula.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,565 in Mexico City versus $708 in Nampula.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,470 in Mexico City versus $887 in Nampula.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 214% more expensive than in Nampula, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 21% above, Nampula is 61% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$206
$5.63MZN 356
111.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$890
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.9
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.61
$0.80MZN 50.7
107.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.87
$0.41MZN 25.81
224.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.9
$1.57MZN 99.6
121.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
-
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.36
$1.78MZN 113
5.62%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.1
$0.49MZN 31.14
563.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.26
$1.10MZN 69.7
96.36%
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.94
$2.82MZN 178
2.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$222
$10.01MZN 633
28.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$3.42MZN 217
193.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
$3.93MZN 248
303.56%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.8
$2.62MZN 166
25.57%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.60
$2.32MZN 147
-13.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.93
$1.95MZN 123
12.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.63
$1.52MZN 96.2
55.26%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.43
$1.41MZN 89.4
45.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.79
$1.69MZN 107
12.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.68
$0.79MZN 49.81
103.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.09
$0.85MZN 53.5
64.71%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.2
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
$6.36MZN 402
177.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.44
$2.39MZN 151
-13.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.8
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.84
$0.17MZN 10.45
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$359
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.15
$1.54MZN 97.4
36.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.64
$2.42MZN 153
-76.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.68
$1.50MZN 95.0
7.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.8K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$461.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,124
$120MZN 7,577
-45.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$519
$33.82MZN 2,139
-11.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$641
$125MZN 7,905
-70.25%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,030
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$458
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,012
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.9K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,308
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$965
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,929
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,078
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
$927MZN 58.6K
173.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.8K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Nampula: September 14, 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 in Nampula?
Mexico City and Nampula differ by about 214% in total monthly costs ($1,660 vs $529 including rent). Nampula 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 Nampula?
You'd need roughly $2,489 in Mexico City and $794 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 86% 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 $1,660 per month in Mexico City versus $529 in Nampula – a 214% 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 $529 in Nampula versus $1,660 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 – 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 – expenses run 214% 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