😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,456 in Mexico City versus $867 in Putra Heights.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,361 in Mexico City versus $1,321 in Putra Heights.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,266 in Mexico City versus $1,775 in Putra Heights.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 68% more expensive than in Putra Heights, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 9% above, Putra Heights is 35% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.07MX$228
$3.56MYR 14.58
267.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.8MX$936
$19.18MYR 78.4
180.24%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.68MX$169
$4.65MYR 19.01
108.17%
Cappuccino
$3.74MX$65.1
$2.98MYR 12.19
25.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$28.13
$0.85MYR 3.47
90.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MX$20.23
$0.48MYR 1.98
141.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.23MX$56.2
$4.31MYR 17.64
-25.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74MX$82.5
$5.81MYR 23.77
-18.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.68
$1.89MYR 7.72
-12.70%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75MX$47.95
$0.93MYR 3.81
195.70%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87MX$32.63
$1.23MYR 5.04
52.03%
Eggs
$2.50MX$43.54
$1.80MYR 7.36
38.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.20MX$178
$14.77MYR 60.4
-30.94%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.25MX$144
$4.59MYR 18.79
79.74%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.82MX$206
$9.54MYR 39.02
23.90%
Apples(1kg)
$3.01MX$52.4
$2.90MYR 11.88
3.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81MX$31.54
$1.45MYR 5.91
24.83%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.81
$2.62MYR 10.73
-23.66%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.74
$1.47MYR 6.02
36.05%
Potato(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.30
$1.29MYR 5.26
61.24%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.56
$1.35MYR 5.51
68.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46MX$25.36
$1.22MYR 4.97
19.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.74
$0.52MYR 2.13
107.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.35MX$75.7
$4.15MYR 16.99
4.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.99MX$296
$13.95MYR 57.1
21.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MX$30.18
$2.77MYR 11.31
-37.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58MX$62.3
$3.03MYR 12.40
18.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$0.68MYR 2.79
-42.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.69MX$325
$11.92MYR 48.74
56.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33MX$23.08
$1.20MYR 4.90
10.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.87
$1.04MYR 4.24
-73.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.25MX$91.5
$4.74MYR 19.39
10.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.34MX$23.27
$0.50MYR 2.05
168.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4KMX$338.0K
$35.8KMYR 146.6K
-45.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8KMX$415.0K
$32.3KMYR 132.2K
-26.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.69MX$709
$64.7MYR 264
-37.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.87MX$468
$9.17MYR 37.51
193.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.51MX$531
$25.17MYR 103
21.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.8MX$919
$37.24MYR 152
41.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.65MX$464
$6.06MYR 24.79
339.77%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51MX$113
$5.33MYR 21.81
22.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$428MX$7,454
$185MYR 756
131.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$182.8K
$7,020MYR 28.7K
49.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3MX$997
$61.6MYR 252
-7.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.50MX$792
$19.22MYR 78.6
136.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104MX$1,812
$74.0MYR 303
40.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,878
$39.48MYR 161
173.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,003MX$17.5K
$387MYR 1,582
159.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
$274MYR 1,121
127.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,109MX$36.7K
$656MYR 2,682
221.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218MX$21.2K
$473MYR 1,933
157.67%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,885MX$67.6K
$2,251MYR 9,207
72.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,033MX$35.4K
$1,256MYR 5,137
61.83%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Putra Heights
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,038MX$18.1K
$1,109MYR 4,536
-6.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
4.07
178.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 13, 2026
Last update for Putra Heights: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,003 in Mexico City and $387 in Putra Heights. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Putra Heights pays 7% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $19.00 in Putra Heights for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $243 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 68% in total monthly costs ($1,456 vs $867 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 7% 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: $1,003 in Mexico City versus $387 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 57% 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 $428 in Mexico City versus $185 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 $867 in Putra Heights versus $1,456 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 68% 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