😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,484 in Mexico City versus $729 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,381 in Mexico City versus $1,141 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,278 in Mexico City versus $1,552 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 103% more expensive than Sidi Kacem, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Sidi Kacem is 46% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$227
$4.41MAD 40.83
194.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.1MX$929
$30.53MAD 282
73.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72MX$170
$7.06MAD 65.3
37.68%
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.6
$1.73MAD 16.03
116.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.46
$0.71MAD 6.59
121.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.76
$0.33MAD 3.01
242.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.7
$3.78MAD 34.94
-15.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66MX$81.6
$3.30MAD 30.54
41.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MX$28.37
$0.80MAD 7.40
102.50%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.36
$0.64MAD 5.90
323.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88MX$32.89
$1.08MAD 9.99
74.07%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.90
$2.25MAD 20.78
11.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$176
$8.80MAD 81.4
14.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
$3.76MAD 34.79
120.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$209
$7.86MAD 72.7
51.91%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$50.1
$0.64MAD 5.96
346.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75MX$30.62
$0.84MAD 7.74
108.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.48
$0.54MAD 4.98
285.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.46
$0.54MAD 4.96
264.81%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.79
$0.46MAD 4.21
369.57%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.16
$0.32MAD 2.92
581.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.34
$0.23MAD 2.13
504.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.69
$0.60MAD 5.58
86.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$73.5
$2.65MAD 24.53
58.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.25MX$249
$6.43MAD 59.5
121.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.85
$1.54MAD 14.27
14.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68MX$64.5
$3.27MAD 30.26
12.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$0.48MAD 4.41
-18.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66MX$327
$16.60MAD 154
12.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.26
$0.56MAD 5.19
148.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.32
$0.49MAD 4.51
-38.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$94.9
$4.26MAD 39.42
27.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35MX$23.63
$1.34MAD 12.40
0.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$330.5K
$36.7KMAD 339.3K
-48.52%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$405.2K
$23.9KMAD 221.2K
-3.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.82MX$714
$83.3MAD 771
-51.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.50MX$481
$11.19MAD 103
145.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$532
$38.97MAD 361
-22.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4MX$935
$24.43MAD 226
118.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30MX$460
$23.11MAD 214
13.80%
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$110
$7.27MAD 67.2
-13.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,632
$98.4MAD 910
343.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$183.2K
$6,527MAD 60.4K
60.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$993
$31.21MAD 289
81.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.79MX$784
$46.27MAD 428
-3.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,799
$89.7MAD 830
14.56%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,888
$83.8MAD 775
28.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.5K
$276MAD 2,555
261.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620MX$10.9K
$174MAD 1,609
256.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137MX$37.4K
$502MAD 4,647
325.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,235MX$21.6K
$303MAD 2,807
307.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,865MX$67.6K
$1,564MAD 14.5K
147.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,332MX$40.8K
$854MAD 7,896
173.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,067MX$18.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
4.35
160.69%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Last update for Sidi Kacem: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,000 in Mexico City and $276 in Sidi Kacem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $31.00 in Sidi Kacem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $286 vs $147 per month, with Sidi Kacem 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 Sidi Kacem: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Sidi Kacem?
Mexico City and Sidi Kacem differ by about 103% in total monthly costs ($1,484 vs $729 including rent). Sidi Kacem 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 Sidi Kacem?
You'd need roughly $2,225 in Mexico City and $1,094 in Sidi Kacem 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 Sidi Kacem?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,000 in Mexico City versus $276 in Sidi Kacem. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and Sidi Kacem?
A monthly transit pass in Sidi Kacem runs roughly 12% 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 Sidi Kacem?
Childcare runs $436 in Mexico City versus $98.4 in Sidi Kacem. 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 $729 in Sidi Kacem versus $1,484 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Sidi Kacem but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Sidi Kacem the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Sidi Kacem?
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 Sidi Kacem safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Sidi Kacem 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 Sidi Kacem?
Expats usually find Sidi Kacem gentler on the wallet – expenses run 103% 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