😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,467 in Mexico City versus $1,048 in Samaxi.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,371 in Mexico City versus $1,877 in Samaxi.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,274 in Mexico City versus $2,706 in Samaxi.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 40% more expensive than Samaxi, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 10% above, Samaxi is 22% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.18MX$228
$17.41₼29.59
-24.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9MX$932
$52.7₼89.5
2.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.42MX$163
$9.68₼16.45
-2.69%
Cappuccino
$3.55MX$61.4
$4.20₼7.13
-15.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$27.98
$1.36₼2.31
19.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11MX$19.27
$0.36₼0.62
208.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.12MX$54.0
$1.45₼2.47
115.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.63MX$80.1
$2.71₼4.60
70.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.43
$1.43₼2.44
18.88%
White Bread(500g)
$2.72MX$47.02
$0.62₼1.05
338.71%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.91MX$33.07
$3.00₼5.09
-36.33%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.86
$1.39₼2.36
82.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03MX$174
$6.95₼11.81
44.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.09MX$140
$6.02₼10.23
34.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.62MX$201
$11.39₼19.36
2.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97MX$51.3
$1.45₼2.46
104.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81MX$31.24
$1.67₼2.84
8.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.82
$1.72₼2.92
16.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03MX$35.20
$2.03₼3.45
-
Potato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.75
$0.69₼1.17
207.25%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.25
-
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.22
$0.61₼1.03
129.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.55
$0.61₼1.03
85.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MX$73.9
$3.64₼6.18
17.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.56MX$269
$10.77₼18.30
44.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.39
$1.72₼2.93
2.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60MX$62.2
$2.86₼4.87
25.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.62
$0.28₼0.47
35.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.18MX$332
$14.80₼25.16
29.59%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.79
$1.73₼2.95
-20.23%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.78
$1.16₼1.96
-75.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.45MX$94.2
$3.01₼5.11
81.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30MX$22.55
$0.56₼0.95
132.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7KMX$323.2K
$23.4K₼39.8K
-20.27%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.1KMX$400.1K
$24.6K₼41.9K
-6.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.86MX$707
$57.2₼97.2
-28.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.81MX$464
$14.78₼25.12
81.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.96MX$518
$23.37₼39.72
28.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$900
$29.83₼50.7
74.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.84MX$464
$14.42₼24.51
86.13%
Cinema Ticket
$6.30MX$109
$6.95₼11.81
-9.35%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,544
$235₼400
85.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.4KMX$180.2K
$11.9K₼20.3K
-12.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.7MX$980
$46.53₼79.1
21.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.38MX$768
$57.7₼98.1
-23.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,780
$119₼203
-13.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,825
$137₼232
-22.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,022MX$17.7K
$377₼641
171.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$631MX$10.9K
$289₼492
118.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,136MX$36.9K
$705₼1,198
202.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,243MX$21.5K
$891₼1,514
39.52%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.5K
$2,048₼3,481
90.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,064MX$35.7K
$1,183₼2,011
74.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Samaxi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,115MX$19.3K
$345₼586
223.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
8
41.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: May 31, 2026
Last update for Samaxi: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,022 in Mexico City and $377 in Samaxi. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 223% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $53.0 in Samaxi for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 vs $205 per month, with Samaxi 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 Samaxi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Samaxi?
Mexico City and Samaxi differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,467 vs $1,048 including rent). Samaxi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Samaxi?
Mexico City pays 223% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and Samaxi?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,022 in Mexico City versus $377 in Samaxi. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and Samaxi?
A monthly transit pass in Samaxi runs roughly 30% 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 Samaxi?
Childcare runs $436 in Mexico City versus $235 in Samaxi. 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 $1,048 in Samaxi versus $1,467 in Mexico City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Samaxi but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Samaxi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Samaxi?
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 Samaxi safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Samaxi 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 Samaxi?
Expats usually find Samaxi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% 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