Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Puyallup, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,608 a month against $3,665 in Puyallup, WA, rent and utilities included – about $24,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City, Mexico
Puyallup, WA, United States
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Puyallup, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,665
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Puyallup, WA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mexico City and in Puyallup, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,608 in Mexico City versus $3,665 in Puyallup, WA.

  • Mexico City $1,608
  • Puyallup, WA $3,665

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,549 in Mexico City versus $5,096 in Puyallup, WA.

  • Mexico City $2,549
  • Puyallup, WA $5,096

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,490 in Mexico City versus $6,528 in Puyallup, WA.

  • Mexico City $3,490
  • Puyallup, WA $6,528

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 56% less than in Puyallup, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 18% above, Puyallup, WA 169% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.62 MX$199
$25.12 $25.12
-57.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.35 MX$906
$80.0 $80.0
-39.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.35 MX$194
$15.06 $15.06
-31.27%
Cappuccino
$3.69 MX$69.2
$6.67 $6.67
-44.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67 MX$31.23
$3.15 $3.15
-46.98%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.71
$3.11 $3.11
-59.16%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.19 MX$59.8
$8.14 $8.14
-60.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.31 MX$99.5
$8.17 $8.17
-35.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 MX$32.32
$1.11 $1.11
54.95%
White Bread (500g)
$3.04 MX$57.0
$4.65 $4.65
-34.62%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.38
$6.16 $6.16
-68.51%
Eggs
$2.89 MX$54.1
$5.50 $5.50
-47.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.97 MX$206
$18.00 $18.00
-39.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.25 MX$173
$16.79 $16.79
-44.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.13 MX$283
$23.08 $23.08
-34.45%
Apples (1kg)
$3.05 MX$57.1
$6.22 $6.22
-50.96%
Banana (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.38
$1.88 $1.88
3.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$37.95
$5.28 $5.28
-61.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$43.38
$6.57 $6.57
-64.84%
Potato (1kg)
$2.04 MX$38.14
$3.59 $3.59
-43.18%
Onion (1kg)
$1.80 MX$33.73
$3.31 $3.31
-45.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.72
$2.70 $2.70
-45.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.75
$2.60 $2.60
-51.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.30 MX$99.4
$12.32 $12.32
-56.98%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.10 MX$302
$17.64 $17.64
-8.73%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$37.16
$1.68 $1.68
17.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$79.7
$4.87 $4.87
-12.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.72
$4.80 $4.80
-93.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.73 MX$370
$174 $174
-88.68%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.84 MX$34.44
$2.52 $2.52
-26.98%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$10.00
$1.63 $1.63
-67.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.30 MX$99.2
$30.06 $30.06
-82.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.51 MX$28.31
$1.35 $1.35
11.85%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.8K MX$407.7K
$33.1K $33.1K
-34.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.0K MX$449.5K
$26.6K $26.6K
-9.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,180
$277 $277
-77.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.39 MX$513
$90.3 $90.3
-69.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$35.67 MX$668
$85.7 $85.7
-58.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$58.9 MX$1,105
$71.4 $71.4
-17.47%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.64 MX$443
$20.12 $20.12
17.50%
Cinema Ticket
$6.40 MX$120
$17.65 $17.65
-63.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$432 MX$8,088
$2,781 $2,781
-84.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.4K MX$214.1K
$31.3K $31.3K
-63.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.2 MX$1,278
$61.6 $61.6
10.69%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.1 MX$996
$44.99 $44.99
18.09%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$108 MX$2,020
$124 $124
-13.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,198
$162 $162
-27.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,113 MX$20.9K
$1,845 $1,845
-39.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$710 MX$13.3K
$1,796 $1,796
-60.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,588 MX$48.5K
$2,720 $2,720
-4.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,406 MX$26.3K
$2,518 $2,518
-44.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,631 MX$68.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,135 MX$40.0K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Puyallup, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$946 MX$17.7K
$6,740 $6,740
-85.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.35
6.68
69.91%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mexico City: October 25, 2026

Last update for Puyallup, WA: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$710
Puyallup, WA
$1.8K 153% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$320
Puyallup, WA
$521 62.9% $201
Eating Out
Mexico City
$199
Puyallup, WA
$408 106% $210
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$156
Puyallup, WA
$177 13.2% $21
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Puyallup, WA
$453 259% $327
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$72
Puyallup, WA
$107 48.7% $35
Getting Around
Mexico City
$25
Puyallup, WA
$204 702% $179

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,113 in Mexico City and $1,845 in Puyallup, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Puyallup, WA pays about 7.1 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $48 in Mexico City vs $80 in Puyallup, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $320 vs $521 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Puyallup, WA
🕒 Local time
09:21 9:21 AM
07:21 7:21 AM
2 h behind Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
42,973
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.74 MXN (100 MXN = 5.34 USD). 1 EUR = 20.91 MXN (100 MXN = 4.78 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Puyallup, WA 3,730 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Puyallup, WA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Puyallup, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Puyallup, WA?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $1,608 in Mexico City and $3,665 in Puyallup, WA, so Mexico City is about 56% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 86% lower in Mexico City. 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 Puyallup, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,113 in Mexico City versus $1,845 in Puyallup, WA. 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 Puyallup, WA?
A monthly transit pass in Mexico City runs roughly 89% less than in Puyallup, WA. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Mexico City and Puyallup, WA?
Childcare runs $432 in Mexico City versus $2,781 in Puyallup, WA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,608 in Mexico City versus $3,665 in Puyallup, WA, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Puyallup, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Puyallup, WA?
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 Puyallup, WA?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 56% less than in Puyallup, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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