Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Tonsberg

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $2,630 in Tonsberg, rent and utilities included – about $13,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Tonsberg
🇳🇴 Norway
$2,630
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,630 in Tonsberg.

  • Mexico City $1,548
  • Tonsberg $2,630

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,436 in Mexico City versus $3,815 in Tonsberg.

  • Mexico City $2,436
  • Tonsberg $3,815

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,323 in Mexico City versus $5,000 in Tonsberg.

  • Mexico City $3,323
  • Tonsberg $5,000

Living in Mexico City costs roughly 41% less than in Tonsberg, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Mexico City 14% above, Tonsberg 94% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.02 MX$204
$20.94 NOK 197
-47.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.68 MX$900
$105 NOK 991
-53.77%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.90 MX$201
$15.53 NOK 146
-29.81%
Cappuccino
$3.68 MX$68.1
$5.45 NOK 51.3
-32.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63 MX$30.18
$5.61 NOK 52.8
-70.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25 MX$23.07
$5.37 NOK 50.6
-76.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.25 MX$60.1
$11.46 NOK 108
-71.64%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.53 MX$102
$10.27 NOK 96.7
-46.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 MX$31.50
$2.47 NOK 23.28
-31.17%
White Bread (500g)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$3.72 NOK 35.01
-18.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.53
$3.85 NOK 36.24
-50.13%
Eggs
$2.73 MX$50.5
$4.86 NOK 45.78
-43.83%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.77 MX$218
$12.96 NOK 122
-9.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.53 MX$176
$15.73 NOK 148
-39.42%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.41 MX$266
$31.41 NOK 296
-54.12%
Apples (1kg)
$3.02 MX$55.8
$3.22 NOK 30.33
-6.21%
Banana (1kg)
$1.89 MX$35.01
$2.57 NOK 24.20
-26.46%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 MX$36.70
$3.38 NOK 31.79
-41.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.38
$4.78 NOK 45.04
-54.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.43
$2.52 NOK 23.75
-23.81%
Onion (1kg)
$1.87 MX$34.49
$2.79 NOK 26.26
-32.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.44 MX$26.62
$2.93 NOK 27.54
-50.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 MX$23.39
$2.35 NOK 22.15
-45.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.22 MX$96.4
$17.24 NOK 162
-69.72%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.17 MX$299
$16.69 NOK 157
-3.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90 MX$35.03
$3.49 NOK 32.82
-45.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.22 MX$78.0
$4.14 NOK 38.94
1.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.30
$4.55 NOK 42.80
-92.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$19.65 MX$363
$84.5 NOK 795
-76.73%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.00 MX$36.90
$11.70 NOK 110
-82.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 MX$9.67
$1.78 NOK 16.77
-70.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.34 MX$98.7
$70.5 NOK 664
-92.43%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$28.13
$2.35 NOK 22.13
-35.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1K MX$408.0K
$47.7K NOK 448.8K
-53.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K MX$452.9K
$43.9K NOK 413.4K
-44.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.1 MX$1,129
$267 NOK 2,513
-77.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.58 MX$528
$33.09 NOK 312
-13.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.47 MX$637
$53.8 NOK 506
-35.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.4 MX$1,042
$49.11 NOK 462
14.76%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.88 MX$460
$37.03 NOK 349
-32.81%
Cinema Ticket
$6.66 MX$123
$17.21 NOK 162
-61.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$427 MX$7,891
$238 NOK 2,236
79.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.6K MX$215.0K
$12.8K NOK 120.8K
-9.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$67.8 MX$1,253
$99.7 NOK 938
-31.98%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.0 MX$960
$55.8 NOK 525
-6.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 MX$1,959
$123 NOK 1,159
-13.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$113 MX$2,080
$156 NOK 1,469
-27.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,025 MX$18.9K
$1,187 NOK 11.2K
-13.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$654 MX$12.1K
$983 NOK 9,254
-33.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,308 MX$42.7K
$1,474 NOK 13.9K
56.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,242 MX$22.9K
$1,277 NOK 12.0K
-2.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,613 MX$66.8K
$6,073 NOK 57.2K
-40.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,936 MX$35.8K
$4,046 NOK 38.1K
-52.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Tonsberg
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$964 MX$17.8K
$4,435 NOK 41.7K
-78.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
4.94
128.74%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Last update for Tonsberg: October 18, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$654
Tonsberg
$983 50.3% $329
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$318
Tonsberg
$490 53.9% $172
Eating Out
Mexico City
$204
Tonsberg
$401 96.8% $197
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$152
Tonsberg
$196 28.5% $43
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$124
Tonsberg
$354 185% $230
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$70
Tonsberg
$84 19.8% $14
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Tonsberg
$123 381% $98

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,025 in Mexico City and $1,187 in Tonsberg. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tonsberg pays 360% 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 $105 in Tonsberg for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $490 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇳🇴 Tonsberg
🕒 Local time
18:37 6:37 PM
02:37 2:37 AM
8 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
59,237
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

NOK, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

Norwegian Krone exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 9.41 NOK (1 NOK = 0.106 USD). 1 EUR = 10.58 NOK (100 NOK = 9.45 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Tonsberg 9,200 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Tonsberg

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 Tonsberg: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Tonsberg?
Mexico City and Tonsberg differ by about 70% in total monthly costs ($1,548 vs $2,630 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 360% lower in Tonsberg. 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 Tonsberg?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,025 in Mexico City versus $1,187 in Tonsberg. 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 Tonsberg?
A monthly transit pass in Mexico City runs roughly 330% less than in Tonsberg. 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 Tonsberg?
Childcare runs $427 in Mexico City versus $238 in Tonsberg. 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 $1,548 in Mexico City versus $2,630 in Tonsberg, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Tonsberg. 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 Tonsberg?
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 Tonsberg safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Tonsberg 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 Tonsberg?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 70% less than in Tonsberg. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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