😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City versus $291 in Nampula.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,310 in Mexico City versus $472 in Nampula.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,174 in Mexico City versus $653 in Nampula.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 397% more expensive than Nampula, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 8% above, Nampula is 78% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$223
$4.37MZN 277
197.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6MX$903
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43MX$162
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.57MX$61.3
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61MX$27.55
$0.88MZN 55.8
82.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.81
$0.61MZN 38.73
88.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15MX$54.0
$1.26MZN 79.8
150.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86MX$83.4
$1.60MZN 101
203.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.17
$1.82MZN 115
-6.59%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64MX$45.23
$0.46MZN 28.90
473.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.67
$1.08MZN 68.3
75.93%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.62
$2.73MZN 172
-6.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$173
$9.88MZN 625
2.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$142
$3.37MZN 213
145.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.57MX$199
$3.89MZN 246
197.43%
Apples(1kg)
$3.03MX$52.0
$2.70MZN 170
12.22%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.35
$2.41MZN 153
-29.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.16
$2.04MZN 129
0.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.36
$1.58MZN 99.7
30.38%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.43
$1.43MZN 90.3
44.06%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.25
$1.78MZN 112
21.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.08
$0.75MZN 47.75
86.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.26
$0.81MZN 51.2
38.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29MX$73.7
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$15.41MX$265
$6.28MZN 397
145.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.74
$2.40MZN 152
-30.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69MX$63.3
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.55
$0.17MZN 10.47
123.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.06MX$327
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.70
$1.52MZN 96.3
-9.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.74
$2.33MZN 148
-87.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$92.9
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28MX$21.98
$1.51MZN 95.4
-15.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KMX$325.8K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KMX$402.7K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.02MX$704
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92MX$462
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69MX$510
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3MX$898
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23MX$450
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$106
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427MX$7,331
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$183.6K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$975
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83MX$769
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105MX$1,794
$95.1MZN 6,014
9.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,819
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995MX$17.1K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$621MX$10.7K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126MX$36.5K
$938MZN 59.3K
126.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254MX$21.5K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,096MX$36.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,107MX$19.0K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Last update for Nampula: June 8, 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 397% in total monthly costs ($1,447 vs $291 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 $2,171 in Mexico City and $436 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 55% 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 $1,447 per month in Mexico City versus $291 in Nampula – a 397% 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 $291 in Nampula versus $1,447 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 397% 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