😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,472 in Mexico City versus $605 in Ouargla.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,359 in Mexico City versus $962 in Ouargla.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,245 in Mexico City versus $1,319 in Ouargla.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 143% more expensive than in Ouargla, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Ouargla is 55% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.14MX$227
$3.12DZD 412
321.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.5MX$926
$23.79DZD 3,146
125.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.33MX$161
$3.96DZD 523
135.61%
Cappuccino
$3.70MX$64.0
$0.73DZD 96.7
406.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.76
$0.57DZD 75.3
180.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.34
$0.21DZD 27.73
433.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.14MX$54.3
$1.99DZD 263
57.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.85MX$83.9
$2.39DZD 317
102.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.61
$1.04DZD 138
58.65%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$46.96
$0.14DZD 18.10
1835.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.03
$1.59DZD 210
20.13%
Eggs
$2.59MX$44.81
$1.80DZD 237
43.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.81MX$170
$9.17DZD 1,212
6.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$146
$5.41DZD 715
55.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.93MX$206
$16.71DZD 2,209
-28.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.95MX$51.1
$3.09DZD 409
-4.53%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MX$30.10
$2.86DZD 378
-39.16%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04MX$35.38
$1.72DZD 227
18.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.64
$0.79DZD 104
160.76%
Potato(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.20
$0.56DZD 73.4
283.93%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26MX$39.02
$0.46DZD 60.6
391.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$23.97
$0.61DZD 80.7
127.87%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.31
$0.30DZD 40.13
273.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.22MX$73.0
$2.71DZD 359
55.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.51MX$303
$6.08DZD 804
187.99%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.58
$1.34DZD 178
27.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63MX$62.8
$2.15DZD 284
68.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35MX$6.10
$0.25DZD 33.32
40.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.32MX$334
$17.67DZD 2,336
9.34%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.80
$0.66DZD 87.2
109.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.77
$0.36DZD 48.20
-22.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.28MX$91.3
$5.17DZD 684
2.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36MX$23.50
$0.36DZD 48.02
277.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.1KMX$330.5K
$32.9KDZD 4.3M
-41.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6KMX$408.4K
$33.3KDZD 4.4M
-29.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.53MX$701
$40.44DZD 5,347
0.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.38MX$474
$9.28DZD 1,227
195.04%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$526
$17.12DZD 2,264
77.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.2MX$903
$23.22DZD 3,070
124.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.48MX$458
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.19MX$107
$5.50DZD 728
12.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$425MX$7,355
$92.6DZD 12.2K
359.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$185.7K
$3,603DZD 476.4K
197.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.3MX$1,009
$36.59DZD 4,838
59.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.57MX$771
$45.57DZD 6,025
-2.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,791
$75.6DZD 10,000
36.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,881
$77.2DZD 10.2K
40.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,014MX$17.5K
$196DZD 25.9K
417.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
$116DZD 15.4K
434.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,119MX$36.7K
$277DZD 36.6K
665.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.2K
$185DZD 24.5K
559.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,792MX$65.6K
$1,259DZD 166.5K
201.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,110MX$36.5K
$1,122DZD 148.4K
87.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,052MX$18.2K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
5.42
109.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 25, 2026
Last update for Ouargla: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,014 in Mexico City and $196 in Ouargla. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $24.00 in Ouargla for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $205 per month, with Ouargla 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 Ouargla: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Ouargla?
Mexico City and Ouargla differ by about 143% in total monthly costs ($1,472 vs $605 including rent). Ouargla 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 Ouargla?
You'd need roughly $2,208 in Mexico City and $907 in Ouargla 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Ouargla?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,014 in Mexico City versus $196 in Ouargla. 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 Ouargla?
A monthly transit pass in Ouargla runs roughly 9% 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 Ouargla?
Childcare runs $425 in Mexico City versus $92.6 in Ouargla. 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 $605 in Ouargla versus $1,472 in Mexico City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ouargla but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Ouargla the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Ouargla?
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.
Is Mexico City or Ouargla safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Ouargla are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Mexico City or Ouargla?
Expats usually find Ouargla gentler on the wallet – expenses run 143% 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