😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City versus $726 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,310 in Mexico City versus $1,130 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,174 in Mexico City versus $1,533 in Sidi Kacem.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 99% more expensive than Sidi Kacem, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 8% above, Sidi Kacem is 46% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$223
$4.27MAD 39.46
203.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6MX$903
$30.29MAD 280
73.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43MX$162
$7.02MAD 64.9
34.33%
Cappuccino
$3.57MX$61.3
$1.65MAD 15.24
116.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61MX$27.55
$0.68MAD 6.25
136.76%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.81
$0.32MAD 3.00
259.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15MX$54.0
$3.83MAD 35.40
-17.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86MX$83.4
$3.26MAD 30.12
49.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.17
$0.75MAD 6.92
126.67%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64MX$45.23
$0.63MAD 5.87
319.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.67
$1.09MAD 10.07
74.31%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.62
$2.24MAD 20.69
13.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$173
$8.88MAD 82.1
13.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$142
$3.73MAD 34.55
122.25%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.57MX$199
$7.89MAD 73.0
46.64%
Apples(1kg)
$3.03MX$52.0
$0.63MAD 5.81
380.95%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.35
$0.91MAD 8.41
87.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.16
$0.54MAD 4.98
279.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.36
$0.54MAD 4.98
281.48%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.43
$0.46MAD 4.27
347.83%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.25
$0.31MAD 2.91
600.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.08
$0.23MAD 2.13
508.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.26
$0.62MAD 5.70
80.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29MX$73.7
$2.66MAD 24.61
61.28%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.41MX$265
$6.36MAD 58.8
142.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.74
$1.53MAD 14.17
9.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69MX$63.3
$3.28MAD 30.31
12.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.55
$0.51MAD 4.71
-25.49%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.06MX$327
$16.34MAD 151
16.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.70
$0.57MAD 5.31
142.11%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.74
$0.52MAD 4.80
-46.15%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$92.9
$4.32MAD 39.92
25.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28MX$21.98
$1.36MAD 12.56
-5.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KMX$325.8K
$37.8KMAD 350.1K
-49.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KMX$402.7K
$23.9KMAD 220.8K
-1.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.02MX$704
$82.2MAD 761
-50.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92MX$462
$11.19MAD 104
140.57%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69MX$510
$38.96MAD 360
-23.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3MX$898
$24.06MAD 223
117.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23MX$450
$22.93MAD 212
14.39%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$106
$7.31MAD 67.6
-15.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427MX$7,331
$99.8MAD 923
327.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$183.6K
$6,347MAD 58.7K
68.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$975
$30.48MAD 282
86.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83MX$769
$45.98MAD 425
-2.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105MX$1,794
$87.0MAD 805
20.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,819
$82.3MAD 762
28.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995MX$17.1K
$279MAD 2,583
256.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$621MX$10.7K
$171MAD 1,584
262.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126MX$36.5K
$505MAD 4,672
320.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254MX$21.5K
$307MAD 2,837
308.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.0K
$1,601MAD 14.8K
143.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,096MX$36.0K
$943MAD 8,722
122.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Sidi Kacem
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,107MX$19.0K
-
-
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: June 7, 2026
Last update for Sidi Kacem: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $995 in Mexico City and $279 in Sidi Kacem. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $30.00 in Sidi Kacem for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 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 99% in total monthly costs ($1,447 vs $726 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 $2,171 in Mexico City and $1,090 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: $995 in Mexico City versus $279 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 17% 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 $427 in Mexico City versus $99.8 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 $726 in Sidi Kacem versus $1,447 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 99% 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