😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,660 in Mexico City versus $950 in Putra Heights.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,565 in Mexico City versus $1,391 in Putra Heights.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,470 in Mexico City versus $1,832 in Putra Heights.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 75% more expensive than in Putra Heights, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 21% above, Putra Heights is 31% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$205
$3.65MYR 14.95
226.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$886
$21.70MYR 88.8
137.79%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$196
$4.93MYR 20.19
131.44%
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.6
$2.86MYR 11.70
39.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.48
$0.84MYR 3.46
97.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.77
$0.44MYR 1.81
202.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.6
$4.45MYR 18.21
-22.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$101
$6.11MYR 25.02
-3.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.21
$1.76MYR 7.22
6.82%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$55.9
$1.07MYR 4.38
203.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.10
$1.44MYR 5.90
50.00%
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.72
$1.74MYR 7.12
66.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$221
$15.73MYR 64.4
-18.25%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$4.53MYR 18.56
121.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$272
$9.58MYR 39.20
65.55%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.6
$3.45MYR 14.13
-4.64%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.44
$1.67MYR 6.83
20.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.76
$2.41MYR 9.87
-8.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.44
$1.60MYR 6.55
47.50%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.27
$1.36MYR 5.59
50.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.64
$1.44MYR 5.89
31.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.55
$1.17MYR 4.77
37.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$23.98
$0.51MYR 2.11
174.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$93.8
$4.31MYR 17.66
26.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$303
$13.99MYR 57.3
26.16%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.28
$2.98MYR 12.21
-30.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.4
$2.99MYR 12.25
56.52%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.81
$0.72MYR 2.95
-52.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$357
$12.09MYR 49.49
72.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$35.99
$1.26MYR 5.16
66.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.60
$0.78MYR 3.17
-28.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$99.8
$4.96MYR 20.30
17.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.56
$0.82MYR 3.35
96.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$392.1K
$42.4KMYR 173.4K
-46.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$459.2K
$35.0KMYR 143.4K
-23.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,119
$65.1MYR 266
0.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$517
$9.41MYR 38.52
219.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$638
$26.20MYR 107
41.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,026
$41.09MYR 168
45.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$456
$7.58MYR 31.02
250.26%
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
$5.39MYR 22.08
30.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$7,976
$165MYR 676
181.19%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$227.8K
$5,404MYR 22.1K
145.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,303
$65.5MYR 268
15.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$960
$16.47MYR 67.4
239.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,920
$82.1MYR 336
36.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,068
$40.65MYR 166
196.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$18.9K
$408MYR 1,669
170.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
$319MYR 1,307
125.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.4K
$673MYR 2,753
276.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.2K
$483MYR 1,975
168.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.5K
$1,986MYR 8,129
100.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$35.9K
$1,234MYR 5,051
69.33%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.8K
$1,103MYR 4,514
-5.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
4.06
178.33%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Putra Heights: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,103 in Mexico City and $408 in Putra Heights. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Putra Heights pays 6% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $22.00 in Putra Heights for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $251 per month, with Putra Heights 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 Putra Heights: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Putra Heights?
Mexico City and Putra Heights differ by about 75% in total monthly costs ($1,660 vs $950 including rent). Putra Heights is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 6% lower in Putra Heights. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Putra Heights?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,103 in Mexico City versus $408 in Putra Heights. 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 Putra Heights?
A monthly transit pass in Putra Heights runs roughly 72% 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 Putra Heights?
Childcare runs $465 in Mexico City versus $165 in Putra Heights. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $950 in Putra Heights versus $1,660 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Putra Heights but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Putra Heights the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Putra Heights?
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 Putra Heights safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Putra Heights 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 Putra Heights?
Expats usually find Putra Heights gentler on the wallet – expenses run 75% 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