😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,456 in Mexico City versus $1,249 in Takamatsu.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,361 in Mexico City versus $1,929 in Takamatsu.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,266 in Mexico City versus $2,609 in Takamatsu.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 17% more expensive than in Takamatsu, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 9% above, Takamatsu is 6% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.07MX$228
$6.94¥1,128
88.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.8MX$936
$34.60¥5,621
55.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.68MX$169
$5.24¥851
84.73%
Cappuccino
$3.74MX$65.1
$3.09¥501
21.04%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$28.13
$1.06¥171
52.83%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MX$20.23
$0.76¥124
52.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.23MX$56.2
$2.59¥420
24.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.74MX$82.5
$3.10¥504
52.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.65MX$28.68
$1.64¥266
0.61%
White Bread(500g)
$2.75MX$47.95
$1.59¥259
72.96%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87MX$32.63
$1.96¥318
-4.59%
Eggs
$2.50MX$43.54
$2.46¥400
1.63%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.20MX$178
$10.07¥1,636
1.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.25MX$144
$6.30¥1,024
30.95%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.82MX$206
$15.72¥2,554
-24.81%
Apples(1kg)
$3.01MX$52.4
$5.31¥863
-43.31%
Banana(1kg)
$1.81MX$31.54
$2.60¥422
-30.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.81
$3.94¥640
-49.24%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.74
$5.84¥948
-65.75%
Potato(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.30
$3.05¥496
-31.80%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.56
$2.56¥417
-11.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46MX$25.36
$1.38¥225
5.80%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.74
$0.89¥144
21.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.35MX$75.7
$4.13¥671
5.33%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.99MX$296
$7.94¥1,289
113.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MX$30.18
$1.89¥307
-8.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.58MX$62.3
$2.24¥364
59.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$1.67¥271
-76.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.69MX$325
$55.9¥9,081
-66.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.33MX$23.08
$3.49¥568
-61.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.87
$3.00¥488
-90.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.25MX$91.5
$21.05¥3,420
-75.06%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.34MX$23.27
$1.18¥191
13.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.4KMX$338.0K
$22.8K¥3.7M
-14.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8KMX$415.0K
$17.2K¥2.8M
38.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.69MX$709
$144¥23.4K
-71.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.87MX$468
$27.09¥4,401
-0.81%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.51MX$531
$33.52¥5,446
-8.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.8MX$919
$55.5¥9,009
-4.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.65MX$464
$13.63¥2,215
95.52%
Cinema Ticket
$6.51MX$113
$12.26¥1,992
-46.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$428MX$7,454
$285¥46.3K
50.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$182.8K
$13.2K¥2.1M
-20.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.3MX$997
$42.93¥6,975
33.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.50MX$792
$29.82¥4,845
52.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$104MX$1,812
$59.8¥9,709
74.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,878
$92.2¥15.0K
16.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,003MX$17.5K
$466¥75.8K
115.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$623MX$10.8K
$330¥53.5K
88.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,109MX$36.7K
$856¥139.1K
146.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,218MX$21.2K
$647¥105.2K
88.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,885MX$67.6K
$3,934¥639.2K
-1.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,033MX$35.4K
$1,997¥324.5K
1.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Takamatsu
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,038MX$18.1K
$1,719¥279.2K
-39.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
1.78
537.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: July 13, 2026
Last update for Takamatsu: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,003 in Mexico City and $466 in Takamatsu. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Takamatsu pays 66% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $54.0 in Mexico City vs $35.00 in Takamatsu. Groceries flip the comparison at $292 vs $306, with Mexico City cheaper for home cooking.
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 Takamatsu: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Takamatsu?
Mexico City and Takamatsu differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($1,456 vs $1,249 including rent). Takamatsu 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 66% lower in Takamatsu. 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 Takamatsu?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,003 in Mexico City versus $466 in Takamatsu. 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 Takamatsu?
A monthly transit pass in Takamatsu runs roughly 199% 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 Takamatsu?
Childcare runs $428 in Mexico City versus $285 in Takamatsu. 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 $1,249 in Takamatsu versus $1,456 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Takamatsu but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Takamatsu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Takamatsu?
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 Takamatsu safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Takamatsu 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 Takamatsu?
Expats usually find Takamatsu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% 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