😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,472 in Mexico City versus $1,376 in Niamey.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Mexico City versus $1,812 in Niamey.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,245 in Mexico City versus $2,248 in Niamey.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 7% more expensive than in Niamey, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City11% above, Niamey3% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14MX$227
$5.40F CFA 3,068
143.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5MX$926
$39.45F CFA 22.4K
35.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33MX$161
$10.40F CFA 5,903
-10.29%
Cappuccino
$3.70MX$64.0
$3.17F CFA 1,798
16.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.76
$1.45F CFA 825
10.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.34
$0.64F CFA 366
75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14MX$54.3
$1.30F CFA 739
141.54%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85MX$83.9
$3.12F CFA 1,772
55.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.61
$2.45F CFA 1,391
-32.65%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$46.96
$0.57F CFA 323
375.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.03
$1.26F CFA 717
51.59%
Eggs
$2.59MX$44.81
$2.39F CFA 1,356
8.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81MX$170
-
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$146
$7.53F CFA 4,276
11.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MX$206
$7.80F CFA 4,431
52.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95MX$51.1
$4.29F CFA 2,433
-31.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MX$30.10
$1.49F CFA 844
16.78%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04MX$35.38
$2.97F CFA 1,687
-31.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.64
$2.03F CFA 1,150
1.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.20
$1.48F CFA 843
45.27%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26MX$39.02
$0.73F CFA 417
209.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$23.97
$0.89F CFA 507
56.18%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.31
$1.37F CFA 780
-18.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22MX$73.0
$2.69F CFA 1,525
56.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51MX$303
$13.93F CFA 7,910
25.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.58
$1.39F CFA 790
23.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63MX$62.8
$2.23F CFA 1,269
62.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35MX$6.10
$0.64F CFA 361
-45.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.32MX$334
$26.36F CFA 15.0K
-26.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.80
$0.46F CFA 261
200.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.77
$0.42F CFA 236
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.28MX$91.3
$6.04F CFA 3,430
-12.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MX$23.50
$0.95F CFA 540
43.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KMX$330.5K
$20.8KF CFA 11.8M
-8.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KMX$408.4K
$24.6KF CFA 14.0M
-4.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.53MX$701
$351F CFA 199.0K
-88.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.38MX$474
$17.99F CFA 10.2K
52.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$526
$9.08F CFA 5,153
234.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.2MX$903
$62.5F CFA 35.5K
-16.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.48MX$458
$8.61F CFA 4,887
207.55%
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MX$107
$4.72F CFA 2,679
31.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425MX$7,355
$1,011F CFA 574.0K
-57.96%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$185.7K
$4,827F CFA 2.7M
122.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,009
$43.68F CFA 24.8K
33.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.57MX$771
$53.7F CFA 30.5K
-16.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,791
$40.15F CFA 22.8K
157.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,881
$49.11F CFA 27.9K
121.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,014MX$17.5K
$974F CFA 552.7K
4.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
$448F CFA 254.2K
39.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,119MX$36.7K
$876F CFA 497.5K
141.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.2K
$455F CFA 258.2K
168.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,792MX$65.6K
$1,721F CFA 977.3K
120.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,110MX$36.5K
$975F CFA 553.7K
116.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Niamey
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,052MX$18.2K
$385F CFA 218.8K
173.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
11
3.09%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 25, 2026
Last update for Niamey: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,014 in Mexico City and $974 in Niamey. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 173% 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: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $39.00 in Niamey for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $223 per month, with Niamey 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 Niamey: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Niamey?
Mexico City and Niamey differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($1,472 vs $1,376 including rent). Niamey is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Niamey?
Average pay runs 173% higher in Mexico City, 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 in Niamey?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,014 in Mexico City versus $974 in Niamey. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and in Niamey?
A monthly transit pass in Niamey runs roughly 36% 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 Niamey?
Childcare runs $425 in Mexico City versus $1,011 in Niamey. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,376 in Niamey versus $1,472 in Mexico City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Niamey but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Niamey the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Niamey?
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 Niamey?
Expats usually find Niamey gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% 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