Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Sioux City, IA

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,561 a month against $2,192 in Sioux City, IA, rent and utilities included – about $7,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,561
/mo nomad
Sioux City, IA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,192
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Sioux City, IA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mexico City and in Sioux City, IA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,561 in Mexico City versus $2,192 in Sioux City, IA.

  • Mexico City $1,561
  • Sioux City, IA $2,192

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,440 in Mexico City versus $3,334 in Sioux City, IA.

  • Mexico City $2,440
  • Sioux City, IA $3,334

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,319 in Mexico City versus $4,477 in Sioux City, IA.

  • Mexico City $3,319
  • Sioux City, IA $4,477

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 29% less than in Sioux City, IA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 16% above, Sioux City, IA 64% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.12 MX$205
$20.27 $20.27
-45.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.99 MX$902
$54.2 $54.2
-9.56%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.23 MX$207
$10.45 $10.45
7.46%
Cappuccino
$3.76 MX$69.2
$6.02 $6.02
-37.54%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 MX$30.43
$2.15 $2.15
-23.26%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 MX$23.56
$1.77 $1.77
-27.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.26 MX$60.0
$4.98 $4.98
-34.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.66 MX$104
$5.90 $5.90
-4.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 MX$33.33
$0.88 $0.88
105.68%
White Bread (500g)
$2.94 MX$54.2
$2.97 $2.97
-1.01%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.05 MX$37.74
$3.23 $3.23
-36.53%
Eggs
$2.93 MX$53.9
$3.52 $3.52
-16.76%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.95 MX$220
$8.35 $8.35
43.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.51 MX$175
$7.58 $7.58
25.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.84 MX$273
$16.89 $16.89
-12.14%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 MX$57.9
$4.80 $4.80
-34.58%
Banana (1kg)
$2.01 MX$37.11
$1.58 $1.58
27.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.08 MX$38.23
$4.21 $4.21
-50.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.22 MX$40.86
$3.95 $3.95
-43.80%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 MX$37.94
$1.88 $1.88
9.57%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 MX$34.57
$4.78 $4.78
-60.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$27.27
$2.32 $2.32
-36.21%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35 MX$24.78
$2.17 $2.17
-37.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.41 MX$99.6
$9.13 $9.13
-40.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.86 MX$311
$15.11 $15.11
11.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$36.55
$1.68 $1.68
17.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 MX$79.6
$2.96 $2.96
45.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.35
$1.85 $1.85
-81.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.23 MX$373
$47.11 $47.11
-57.06%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.10 MX$38.59
$1.99 $1.99
5.53%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$9.77
$1.26 $1.26
-57.94%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 MX$99.6
$20.21 $20.21
-73.23%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.00
$0.87 $0.87
74.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K MX$400.3K
$36.3K $36.3K
-40.07%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K MX$457.0K
$24.9K $24.9K
-0.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,160
$165 $165
-61.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.88 MX$532
$52.4 $52.4
-44.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.93 MX$625
$68.9 $68.9
-50.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.8 MX$1,028
$98.8 $98.8
-43.55%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.90 MX$459
$20.20 $20.20
23.27%
Cinema Ticket
$6.77 MX$125
$15.17 $15.17
-55.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$428 MX$7,879
$1,089 $1,089
-60.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K MX$218.7K
$11.8K $11.8K
0.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0 MX$1,290
$43.23 $43.23
61.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.7 MX$990
$21.84 $21.84
146.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 MX$2,022
$76.7 $76.7
43.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 MX$2,122
$88.8 $88.8
29.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,062 MX$19.6K
$947 $947
12.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$671 MX$12.4K
$945 $945
-29.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,379 MX$43.8K
$1,480 $1,480
60.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,260 MX$23.2K
$1,690 $1,690
-25.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,716 MX$68.4K
$1,540 $1,540
141.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,976 MX$36.4K
$1,535 $1,535
28.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Sioux City, IA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$997 MX$18.4K
$3,593 $3,593
-72.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
6.57
71.99%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mexico City: October 6, 2026

Last update for Sioux City, IA: October 6, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$671
Sioux City, IA
$945 40.9% $274
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$327
Sioux City, IA
$344 5.4% $18
Eating Out
Mexico City
$207
Sioux City, IA
$318 53.6% $111
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$157
Sioux City, IA
$104 33.9% $53
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Sioux City, IA
$286 128% $160
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$69
Sioux City, IA
$129 86.3% $60
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Sioux City, IA
$63 138% $36

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,062 in Mexico City and $947 in Sioux City, IA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Sioux City, IA pays 260% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $49.00 in Mexico City vs $54.0 in Sioux City, IA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $327 vs $344 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇺🇸 Sioux City, IA
🕒 Local time
04:21 4:21 AM
05:21 5:21 AM
1 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
85,797
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 USD = 18.42 MXN (100 MXN = 5.43 USD). 1 EUR = 20.64 MXN (100 MXN = 4.84 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 12, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Sioux City, IA 2,580 km ≈ 3 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Sioux City, IA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Sioux City, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Sioux City, IA?
Mexico City and Sioux City, IA differ by about 40% in total monthly costs ($1,561 vs $2,192 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 260% lower in Sioux City, IA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Sioux City, IA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,062 in Mexico City versus $947 in Sioux City, IA. 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 Sioux City, IA?
A monthly transit pass in Mexico City runs roughly 133% less than in Sioux City, IA. 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 Sioux City, IA?
Childcare runs $428 in Mexico City versus $1,089 in Sioux City, IA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,561 in Mexico City versus $2,192 in Sioux City, IA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Sioux City, IA. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Sioux City, IA?
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 Sioux City, IA?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 40% less than in Sioux City, IA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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