😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,472 in Mexico City versus $296 in Nampula.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Mexico City versus $478 in Nampula.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,245 in Mexico City versus $659 in Nampula.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 397% more expensive than in Nampula, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Nampula is 78% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14MX$227
$4.24MZN 268
209.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5MX$926
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33MX$161
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.70MX$64.0
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.76
$0.88MZN 55.4
81.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.34
$0.61MZN 38.37
83.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14MX$54.3
$1.29MZN 81.3
143.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85MX$83.9
$1.60MZN 101
203.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.61
$1.74MZN 110
-5.17%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$46.96
$0.48MZN 30.47
464.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.03
$1.07MZN 67.6
78.50%
Eggs
$2.59MX$44.81
$2.70MZN 171
-4.07%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81MX$170
$10.15MZN 642
-3.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$146
$3.43MZN 217
145.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MX$206
$3.82MZN 242
212.30%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95MX$51.1
$2.65MZN 167
11.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MX$30.10
$2.39MZN 151
-27.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04MX$35.38
$2.02MZN 128
0.99%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.64
$1.53MZN 96.5
34.64%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.20
$1.42MZN 89.8
51.41%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26MX$39.02
$1.77MZN 112
27.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$23.97
$0.81MZN 51.1
71.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.31
$0.86MZN 54.7
30.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22MX$73.0
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51MX$303
$6.11MZN 386
186.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.58
$2.29MZN 145
-25.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63MX$62.8
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35MX$6.10
$0.18MZN 11.43
94.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.32MX$334
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.80
$1.57MZN 99.4
-12.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.77
$2.38MZN 151
-88.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.28MX$91.3
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MX$23.50
$1.54MZN 97.3
-11.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KMX$330.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KMX$408.4K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.53MX$701
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.38MX$474
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$526
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.2MX$903
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.48MX$458
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MX$107
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425MX$7,355
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$185.7K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,009
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.57MX$771
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,791
$92.2MZN 5,833
12.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,881
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,014MX$17.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,119MX$36.7K
$920MZN 58.2K
130.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,792MX$65.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,110MX$36.5K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Nampula
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,052MX$18.2K
-
-
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: July 25, 2026
Last update for Nampula: July 27, 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 397% in total monthly costs ($1,472 vs $296 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 $2,208 in Mexico City and $444 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 59% 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 $1,472 per month in Mexico City versus $296 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 $296 in Nampula versus $1,472 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