😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,682 in Mexico City versus $681 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,599 in Mexico City versus $1,012 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,516 in Mexico City versus $1,342 in Sidi Kacem.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 147% more expensive than in Sidi Kacem, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 23% above, Sidi Kacem is 50% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.83MX$200
$3.17MAD 29.31
273.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.2MX$884
$19.24MAD 178
171.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.87MX$184
$8.85MAD 81.8
22.82%
Cappuccino
$4.03MX$68.2
$1.85MAD 17.08
117.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$28.99
$0.78MAD 7.17
119.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34MX$22.70
$0.33MAD 3.07
306.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.39MX$57.5
$2.78MAD 25.65
21.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74MX$97.3
$3.20MAD 29.52
79.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89MX$31.99
$0.79MAD 7.26
139.24%
White Bread(500g)
$3.17MX$53.8
$0.28MAD 2.62
1032.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.05MX$34.74
$1.53MAD 14.16
33.99%
Eggs
$3.01MX$51.1
$1.79MAD 16.55
68.16%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.61MX$214
$5.93MAD 54.8
112.65%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.94MX$169
$3.96MAD 36.62
151.01%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.00MX$271
$9.11MAD 84.1
75.63%
Apples(1kg)
$3.28MX$55.6
$1.38MAD 12.70
137.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.06MX$34.87
$1.50MAD 13.89
37.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.09MX$35.36
$0.94MAD 8.64
122.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.50MX$42.44
$0.62MAD 5.72
303.23%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$34.76
$0.57MAD 5.30
259.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87MX$31.70
$0.48MAD 4.43
289.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.57MX$26.66
$0.33MAD 3.05
375.76%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.39MX$23.64
$0.61MAD 5.65
127.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.38MX$91.2
$3.59MAD 33.13
49.86%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.95MX$304
$6.49MAD 60.0
176.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02MX$34.31
$1.84MAD 17.03
9.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.76MX$80.7
$1.71MAD 15.82
178.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36MX$6.13
$0.52MAD 4.80
-30.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.80MX$353
$19.26MAD 178
8.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.06MX$34.92
$0.72MAD 6.67
186.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.55
$1.13MAD 10.45
-50.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.82MX$98.6
$3.53MAD 32.62
64.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MX$26.05
$1.27MAD 11.75
21.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5KMX$380.6K
$35.5KMAD 328.2K
-36.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5KMX$448.7K
$31.6KMAD 291.8K
-16.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.0MX$1,118
$45.83MAD 423
43.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.98MX$525
$11.23MAD 104
175.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.20MX$613
$42.96MAD 397
-15.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$57.5MX$975
$26.95MAD 249
113.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.75MX$453
$18.77MAD 173
42.51%
Cinema Ticket
$7.13MX$121
$3.80MAD 35.13
87.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$457MX$7,738
$49.79MAD 460
817.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.2KMX$224.5K
$5,983MAD 55.3K
121.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.8MX$1,285
$18.31MAD 169
314.15%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.1MX$917
$48.58MAD 449
11.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116MX$1,974
$57.9MAD 535
101.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122MX$2,063
$68.9MAD 636
76.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,147MX$19.4K
$263MAD 2,427
336.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$726MX$12.3K
$170MAD 1,572
326.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,503MX$42.4K
$451MAD 4,166
454.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,331MX$22.6K
$249MAD 2,297
435.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,895MX$66.0K
$1,127MAD 10.4K
245.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,149MX$36.4K
$898MAD 8,291
139.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,069MX$18.1K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.35
5.5
106.36%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: August 17, 2026
Last update for Sidi Kacem: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,147 in Mexico City and $263 in Sidi Kacem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $19.00 in Sidi Kacem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $344 vs $149 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 in Sidi Kacem?
Mexico City and Sidi Kacem differ by about 147% in total monthly costs ($1,682 vs $681 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 $2,523 in Mexico City and $1,022 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 in Sidi Kacem?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,147 in Mexico City versus $263 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 in Sidi Kacem?
A monthly transit pass in Sidi Kacem runs roughly 8% 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 $457 in Mexico City versus $49.79 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 $681 in Sidi Kacem versus $1,682 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 147% 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