😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,646 in Mexico City versus $497 in Sheikhupura.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,613 in Mexico City versus $780 in Sheikhupura.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,580 in Mexico City versus $1,063 in Sheikhupura.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 231% more expensive than in Sheikhupura, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 20% above, Sheikhupura is 64% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.11MX$205
$3.67PKR 1,018
229.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.2MX$883
$23.16PKR 6,421
125.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.90MX$184
$5.45PKR 1,510
100.00%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.69PKR 1,024
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.77PKR 1,877
-
Cappuccino
$4.05MX$68.5
$2.49PKR 689
62.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72MX$28.99
$0.36PKR 98.7
377.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38MX$23.28
$0.22PKR 60.7
527.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$58.6
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.81MX$98.2
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.32
$0.92PKR 255
101.09%
White Bread(500g)
$3.22MX$54.5
$0.73PKR 203
341.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.09MX$35.24
$1.23PKR 341
69.92%
Eggs
$2.91MX$49.16
$1.30PKR 360
123.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.49MX$211
$6.04PKR 1,674
106.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$171
$3.09PKR 856
227.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.89MX$269
$5.14PKR 1,426
209.14%
Apples(1kg)
$3.31MX$56.0
$1.36PKR 377
143.38%
Banana(1kg)
$2.13MX$35.94
$0.88PKR 245
142.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.02
$1.06PKR 294
106.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.45MX$41.36
$0.48PKR 134
410.42%
Potato(1kg)
$2.19MX$36.99
$0.27PKR 73.8
711.11%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.19
$0.35PKR 97.7
442.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.62MX$27.30
$0.27PKR 74.3
500.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35MX$22.81
$0.38PKR 106
255.26%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.83PKR 507
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.39PKR 385
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.38PKR 660
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.43MX$91.7
$2.28PKR 633
138.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.59MX$297
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$34.95
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.75MX$80.2
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.74
$0.18PKR 50.9
88.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.58MX$365
$9.37PKR 2,599
130.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.04MX$34.48
$1.25PKR 346
63.20%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.77
$0.71PKR 196
-18.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.97MX$101
$1.60PKR 443
273.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.62MX$27.30
$1.26PKR 348
28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$385.5K
$21.4KPKR 5.9M
6.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KMX$450.6K
$24.9KPKR 6.9M
6.96%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,102
$103PKR 28.5K
-36.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$29.87MX$505
$5.83PKR 1,616
412.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.55MX$618
$16.06PKR 4,453
127.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.0MX$1,031
$16.22PKR 4,496
276.08%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.70MX$451
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.85MX$116
$5.00PKR 1,387
37.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$453MX$7,662
$75.5PKR 20.9K
500.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.4KMX$226.0K
$1,019PKR 282.4K
1212.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.0MX$1,267
$24.07PKR 6,673
211.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$55.3MX$934
$32.98PKR 9,143
67.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114MX$1,920
$82.9PKR 23.0K
37.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123MX$2,073
$40.60PKR 11.3K
202.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,134MX$19.2K
$137PKR 38.0K
726.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$712MX$12.0K
$78.9PKR 21.9K
802.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,571MX$43.4K
$248PKR 68.9K
934.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,311MX$22.2K
$127PKR 35.3K
928.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,993MX$67.5K
$835PKR 231.6K
378.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,095MX$35.4K
$445PKR 123.2K
371.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Sheikhupura
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,047MX$17.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
13.08
-13.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: August 29, 2026
Last update for Sheikhupura: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,134 in Mexico City and $137 in Sheikhupura. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $23.00 in Sheikhupura for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $102 per month, with Sheikhupura 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 Sheikhupura: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Sheikhupura?
Mexico City and Sheikhupura differ by about 231% in total monthly costs ($1,646 vs $497 including rent). Sheikhupura 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 Sheikhupura?
You'd need roughly $2,469 in Mexico City and $746 in Sheikhupura 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 Sheikhupura?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,134 in Mexico City versus $137 in Sheikhupura. 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 Sheikhupura?
A monthly transit pass in Sheikhupura runs roughly 130% 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 Sheikhupura?
Childcare runs $453 in Mexico City versus $75.5 in Sheikhupura. 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 $497 in Sheikhupura versus $1,646 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Sheikhupura but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Sheikhupura the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Sheikhupura?
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 Sheikhupura?
Expats usually find Sheikhupura gentler on the wallet – expenses run 231% 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