Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Tangerang

For one person, living is cheaper in Tangerang: $618 a month against $1,567 in Mexico City, rent and utilities included – about $11,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,567
/mo nomad
Tangerang
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$618
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Tangerang

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 Tangerang actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,567 in Mexico City versus $618 in Tangerang.

  • Mexico City $1,567
  • Tangerang $618

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,450 in Mexico City versus $1,054 in Tangerang.

  • Mexico City $2,450
  • Tangerang $1,054

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,333 in Mexico City versus $1,491 in Tangerang.

  • Mexico City $3,333
  • Tangerang $1,491

Living in Mexico City is roughly 154% more expensive than in Tangerang, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 16% above, Tangerang is 54% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.75 MX$199
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
678.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.3 MX$929
$14.07 Rp 252.4K
257.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.10 MX$205
$3.39 Rp 60.8K
227.43%
Cappuccino
$3.68 MX$68.1
$1.49 Rp 26.8K
146.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 MX$30.42
$0.43 Rp 7,800
283.72%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 MX$24.08
$0.24 Rp 4,281
441.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.32 MX$61.3
$2.55 Rp 45.7K
30.20%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.54 MX$102
$3.10 Rp 55.7K
78.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.77 MX$32.68
$1.15 Rp 20.6K
53.91%
White Bread (500g)
$3.05 MX$56.4
$1.03 Rp 18.4K
196.12%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.01 MX$37.20
$0.83 Rp 14.8K
142.17%
Eggs
$2.77 MX$51.1
$1.41 Rp 25.3K
96.45%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.91 MX$220
$9.48 Rp 170.1K
25.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.33 MX$172
$2.89 Rp 51.9K
222.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.02 MX$278
$7.87 Rp 141.2K
90.85%
Apples (1kg)
$3.08 MX$56.8
$2.25 Rp 40.3K
36.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.95 MX$35.97
$1.11 Rp 19.9K
75.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 MX$37.54
$1.61 Rp 28.8K
26.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.21 MX$40.92
$0.93 Rp 16.7K
137.63%
Potato (1kg)
$2.02 MX$37.41
$1.08 Rp 19.4K
87.04%
Onion (1kg)
$1.82 MX$33.67
$2.14 Rp 38.4K
-14.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.52 MX$28.07
$0.65 Rp 11.6K
133.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.28 MX$23.65
$0.44 Rp 7,862
190.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.27 MX$97.4
$2.81 Rp 50.4K
87.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.12 MX$298
$21.44 Rp 384.7K
-24.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 MX$36.05
$2.07 Rp 37.1K
-5.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25 MX$78.6
$3.07 Rp 55.1K
38.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 MX$5.82
$0.29 Rp 5,240
6.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.85 MX$367
$8.25 Rp 148.0K
140.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MX$36.93
$0.49 Rp 8,869
308.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$9.86
$0.52 Rp 9,277
1.92%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.62 MX$104
$3.13 Rp 56.2K
79.55%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.07
$0.82 Rp 14.8K
85.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0K MX$388.7K
$21.5K Rp 385.0M
-1.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2K MX$465.3K
$28.5K Rp 511.2M
-11.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.5 MX$1,155
$65.0 Rp 1.2M
-3.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.77 MX$532
$4.26 Rp 76.4K
575.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.45 MX$637
$19.07 Rp 342.1K
80.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.1 MX$1,055
$16.81 Rp 301.6K
239.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.81 MX$458
$17.48 Rp 313.7K
41.93%
Cinema Ticket
$6.67 MX$123
$2.83 Rp 50.8K
135.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$431 MX$7,964
$95.7 Rp 1.7M
350.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.7K MX$216.9K
$8,065 Rp 144.7M
45.57%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.8 MX$1,308
$38.75 Rp 695.3K
82.68%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.8 MX$958
$28.98 Rp 520.0K
78.85%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 MX$2,011
$77.7 Rp 1.4M
40.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$112 MX$2,076
$70.6 Rp 1.3M
59.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,051 MX$19.4K
$338 Rp 6.1M
210.67%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 MX$12.3K
$135 Rp 2.4M
391.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,346 MX$43.3K
$755 Rp 13.5M
210.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,227 MX$22.7K
$472 Rp 8.5M
159.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,554 MX$65.7K
$1,137 Rp 20.4M
212.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,977 MX$36.5K
$563 Rp 10.1M
250.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Tangerang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$975 MX$18.0K
$277 Rp 5.0M
251.69%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
9.46
19.45%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 11, 2026

Last update for Tangerang: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$665
Tangerang
$135 79.6% $530
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$323
Tangerang
$201 37.7% $122
Eating Out
Mexico City
$203
Tangerang
$61 70.1% $142
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$155
Tangerang
$97 37.2% $57
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Tangerang
$88 29.7% $37
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$70
Tangerang
$22 68.1% $48
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Tangerang
$13 51.5% $13

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,051 in Mexico City and $338 in Tangerang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mexico City pays 252% 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: $50.0 in Mexico City vs $14.00 in Tangerang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $323 vs $201 per month, with Tangerang cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇮🇩 Tangerang
🕒 Local time
22:45 10:45 PM
11:45 11:45 AM
13 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
2,185,304
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.81 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 17, 2026: 1 USD = 17,943 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.57 USD). 1 EUR = 20,204 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.95 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Tangerang 16,860 km ≈ 22 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Tangerang

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 Tangerang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Tangerang?
Mexico City and Tangerang differ by about 154% in total monthly costs ($1,567 vs $618 including rent). Tangerang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Tangerang?
Average pay runs 252% 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 Tangerang?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,051 in Mexico City versus $338 in Tangerang. 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 Tangerang?
A monthly transit pass in Tangerang runs roughly 141% 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 Tangerang?
Childcare runs $431 in Mexico City versus $95.7 in Tangerang. 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 $618 in Tangerang versus $1,567 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Tangerang but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Tangerang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Tangerang?
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 Tangerang?
Expats usually find Tangerang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 154% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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