😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,677 in Mexico City versus $524 in Souk Ahras.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,608 in Mexico City versus $819 in Souk Ahras.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,540 in Mexico City versus $1,114 in Souk Ahras.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 220% more expensive than in Souk Ahras, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 22% above, Souk Ahras is 62% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.14MX$206
$2.37DZD 314
412.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.9MX$914
$10.90DZD 1,445
394.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.09MX$188
$4.14DZD 549
167.87%
Cappuccino
$4.10MX$69.5
$0.66DZD 88.1
521.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$28.53
$0.54DZD 71.4
211.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39MX$23.55
$0.28DZD 36.57
396.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.33MX$56.5
$1.45DZD 192
129.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.88MX$99.7
$2.22DZD 294
164.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.85MX$31.41
$0.82DZD 109
125.61%
White Bread(500g)
$3.17MX$53.8
$0.21DZD 27.79
1409.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.07MX$35.13
$1.26DZD 167
64.29%
Eggs
$2.93MX$49.67
$1.36DZD 180
115.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.59MX$214
$3.46DZD 459
263.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.11MX$172
$2.84DZD 377
255.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.09MX$273
$16.73DZD 2,219
-3.83%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39MX$57.5
$1.49DZD 198
127.52%
Banana(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.26
$3.02DZD 400
-31.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12MX$35.97
$1.16DZD 154
82.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.41MX$40.95
$0.94DZD 124
156.38%
Potato(1kg)
$2.13MX$36.11
$0.44DZD 57.9
384.09%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.02
$0.42DZD 55.5
378.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55MX$26.21
$0.25DZD 33.22
520.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.36MX$23.15
$0.29DZD 38.91
368.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.77MX$97.8
$2.27DZD 300
154.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.74MX$301
$7.05DZD 934
151.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07MX$35.11
$1.32DZD 176
56.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61MX$78.3
$1.95DZD 258
136.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.37MX$6.21
$0.19DZD 24.93
94.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$21.18MX$359
$6.31DZD 837
235.66%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.05MX$34.84
$0.59DZD 78.8
247.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.58MX$9.79
$0.50DZD 67.0
16.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.07MX$103
$5.20DZD 690
16.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.55MX$26.34
$0.33DZD 44.06
369.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9KMX$388.1K
$37.0KDZD 4.9M
-38.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KMX$462.0K
$35.7KDZD 4.7M
-23.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$67.4MX$1,144
$38.43DZD 5,097
75.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.62MX$520
$9.36DZD 1,241
227.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.24MX$632
$19.96DZD 2,647
86.57%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.5MX$1,043
$12.07DZD 1,600
409.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$27.12MX$460
$4.11DZD 545
559.85%
Cinema Ticket
$7.11MX$121
$4.56DZD 604
55.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$456MX$7,739
$94.0DZD 12.5K
385.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.7KMX$232.3K
$3,402DZD 451.2K
302.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$74.2MX$1,259
$30.71DZD 4,073
141.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.0MX$967
$35.62DZD 4,724
60.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$115MX$1,958
$81.5DZD 10.8K
41.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$122MX$2,061
$79.6DZD 10.6K
52.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,148MX$19.5K
$157DZD 20.8K
632.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$709MX$12.0K
$106DZD 14.1K
567.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,577MX$43.7K
$297DZD 39.4K
766.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,295MX$22.0K
$180DZD 23.9K
618.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,005MX$67.9K
$1,294DZD 171.6K
209.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,130MX$36.1K
$275DZD 36.4K
675.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Souk Ahras
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,082MX$18.4K
$302DZD 40.0K
258.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
5.3
113.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 6, 2026
Last update for Souk Ahras: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,148 in Mexico City and $157 in Souk Ahras. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 259% 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: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $11.00 in Souk Ahras for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $162 per month, with Souk Ahras 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 Souk Ahras: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Souk Ahras?
Mexico City and Souk Ahras differ by about 220% in total monthly costs ($1,677 vs $524 including rent). Souk Ahras is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Souk Ahras?
Average pay runs 259% higher in Mexico City, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Souk Ahras?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,148 in Mexico City versus $157 in Souk Ahras. 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 Souk Ahras?
A monthly transit pass in Souk Ahras runs roughly 236% 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 Souk Ahras?
Childcare runs $456 in Mexico City versus $94.0 in Souk Ahras. 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 $524 in Souk Ahras versus $1,677 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Souk Ahras but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Souk Ahras the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Souk Ahras?
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 Souk Ahras safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Souk Ahras 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 Souk Ahras?
Expats usually find Souk Ahras gentler on the wallet – expenses run 220% 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