😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,448 in Mexico City versus $615 in Ouargla.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,354 in Mexico City versus $982 in Ouargla.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,260 in Mexico City versus $1,349 in Ouargla.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 136% more expensive than in Ouargla, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 9% above, Ouargla is 54% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.96MX$225
$3.26DZD 435
297.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.3MX$908
$23.55DZD 3,138
122.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.69MX$168
$3.79DZD 505
155.67%
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.1
$0.78DZD 104
380.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56MX$27.14
$0.61DZD 81.0
155.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MX$20.10
$0.21DZD 27.95
452.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.24MX$56.3
$1.97DZD 263
64.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.90MX$85.0
$2.36DZD 314
107.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.54
$1.02DZD 137
66.67%
White Bread(500g)
$2.67MX$46.30
$0.16DZD 21.40
1568.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MX$32.77
$1.62DZD 216
16.67%
Eggs
$2.52MX$43.74
$1.86DZD 249
35.48%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.02MX$174
$9.24DZD 1,232
8.44%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.53MX$148
$5.15DZD 686
65.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$207
$16.68DZD 2,223
-28.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97MX$51.6
$3.08DZD 411
-3.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79MX$31.14
$2.97DZD 395
-39.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.69
$1.78DZD 238
12.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.96MX$34.03
$0.78DZD 104
151.28%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.53
$0.56DZD 74.0
285.71%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.38
$0.46DZD 61.9
393.48%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.34
$0.60DZD 80.3
133.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11MX$19.34
$0.30DZD 40.41
270.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$72.9
$2.67DZD 356
57.30%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.54MX$287
$7.38DZD 984
124.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$29.19
$1.34DZD 179
25.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59MX$62.3
$2.08DZD 278
72.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.71
$0.25DZD 33.34
56.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.19MX$333
$17.21DZD 2,294
11.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.98
$0.65DZD 86.2
112.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.24
$0.37DZD 48.76
-18.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.39MX$93.5
$5.36DZD 714
0.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29MX$22.32
$0.36DZD 48.44
258.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$327.9K
$32.2KDZD 4.3M
-41.32%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8KMX$413.0K
$33.1KDZD 4.4M
-28.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.86MX$692
$40.11DZD 5,345
-0.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83MX$483
$9.44DZD 1,259
194.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.77MX$517
$17.17DZD 2,289
73.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$902
$23.46DZD 3,127
121.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.22MX$455
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$109
$5.43DZD 724
15.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$433MX$7,508
$93.9DZD 12.5K
360.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$182.9K
$3,552DZD 473.3K
196.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0MX$989
$36.35DZD 4,844
56.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.33MX$787
$45.39DZD 6,049
-0.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102MX$1,768
$76.2DZD 10.1K
33.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,883
$75.9DZD 10.1K
43.07%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$994MX$17.2K
$193DZD 25.7K
415.24%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$617MX$10.7K
$114DZD 15.2K
439.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,086MX$36.2K
$274DZD 36.5K
661.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,256MX$21.8K
$180DZD 24.0K
598.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,936MX$68.3K
$1,228DZD 163.7K
220.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,089MX$36.2K
$1,202DZD 160.1K
73.81%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Ouargla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,131MX$19.6K
-
-
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: June 14, 2026
Last update for Ouargla: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $994 in Mexico City and $193 in Ouargla. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $24.00 in Ouargla for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $208 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 136% in total monthly costs ($1,448 vs $615 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 $2,173 in Mexico City and $922 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: $994 in Mexico City versus $193 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 12% 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 $433 in Mexico City versus $93.9 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 $615 in Ouargla versus $1,448 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 136% 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