😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,484 in Mexico City versus $166 in Siaya.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,381 in Mexico City versus $267 in Siaya.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,278 in Mexico City versus $368 in Siaya.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 793% more expensive than Siaya, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Siaya is 88% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$227
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-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.1MX$929
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72MX$170
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Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.6
-
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Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.46
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.76
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Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.7
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66MX$81.6
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MX$28.37
$0.79KES 103
105.06%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.36
$0.44KES 57.4
515.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88MX$32.89
$1.26KES 163
49.21%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.90
$1.66KES 214
51.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$176
$9.32KES 1,203
8.15%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
$5.30KES 684
56.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$209
$4.06KES 524
194.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$50.1
$1.88KES 243
52.13%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75MX$30.62
$1.02KES 132
71.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.48
$1.54KES 198
35.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.46
$0.92KES 119
114.13%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.79
$0.79KES 102
173.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.16
$0.83KES 107
162.65%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.34
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.69
$0.55KES 70.7
103.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$73.5
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Wine(Bottle)
$14.25MX$249
$19.39KES 2,503
-26.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.85
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68MX$64.5
-
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🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66MX$327
-
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Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.26
-
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Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.32
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$94.9
-
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35MX$23.63
-
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Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$330.5K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$405.2K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.82MX$714
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.50MX$481
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Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$532
-
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🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4MX$935
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30MX$460
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Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$110
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🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,632
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$183.2K
-
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👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$993
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.79MX$784
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,799
-
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,888
-
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.5K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620MX$10.9K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137MX$37.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,235MX$21.6K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,865MX$67.6K
-
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,332MX$40.8K
-
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Siaya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,067MX$18.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Last update for Siaya: April 27, 2026
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 Siaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Siaya?
Mexico City and Siaya differ by about 793% in total monthly costs ($1,484 vs $166 including rent). Siaya 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 Siaya?
You'd need roughly $2,225 in Mexico City and $249 in Siaya 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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 72% higher in Mexico City. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Siaya?
All in, you'll spend $1,484 per month in Mexico City versus $166 in Siaya – a 793% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $166 in Siaya versus $1,484 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Siaya but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Siaya the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Siaya?
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 Siaya?
Expats usually find Siaya gentler on the wallet – expenses run 793% 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