😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,660 in Mexico City versus $1,168 in Umluj.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,565 in Mexico City versus $1,752 in Umluj.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,470 in Mexico City versus $2,336 in Umluj.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 42% more expensive than in Umluj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 21% above, Umluj is 15% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$205
$6.71SAR 25.22
77.65%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$889
$36.73SAR 138
40.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
$8.07SAR 30.30
41.39%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.85SAR 6.94
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.09SAR 7.87
-
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.8
$3.48SAR 13.06
14.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.57
$0.90SAR 3.38
84.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.84
$0.26SAR 0.98
411.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.8
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.31
$1.67SAR 6.26
12.57%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.0
$1.16SAR 4.34
180.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.21
$2.16SAR 8.11
-
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.87
$2.39SAR 8.97
21.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$221
$7.34SAR 27.58
75.20%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$7.99SAR 30.01
25.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
$12.98SAR 48.77
22.19%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.7
$2.08SAR 7.82
58.17%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.55
$1.71SAR 6.40
17.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.88
$1.57SAR 5.89
40.13%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.57
$1.63SAR 6.14
44.79%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.38
$1.14SAR 4.28
79.82%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.75
$1.30SAR 4.88
46.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.64
$1.14SAR 4.27
41.23%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.05
$0.55SAR 2.06
154.55%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$2.87SAR 10.80
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.68SAR 6.31
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.08SAR 7.81
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.1
$6.47SAR 24.30
-15.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.39
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.7
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.83
$1.05SAR 3.96
-67.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$358
$35.76SAR 134
-41.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.11
$2.96SAR 11.14
-29.05%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.63
$1.83SAR 6.86
-69.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
$13.29SAR 49.91
-56.28%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.65
$0.65SAR 2.44
147.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.3K
$45.8KSAR 172.1K
-50.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$460.6K
$21.7KSAR 81.5K
23.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,122
$98.6SAR 371
-33.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$518
$32.02SAR 120
-6.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$640
$68.1SAR 256
-45.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,029
$84.1SAR 316
-28.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$457
$37.21SAR 140
-28.65%
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
$13.07SAR 49.10
-46.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,001
$341SAR 1,279
36.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.6K
$6,614SAR 24.8K
100.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,307
$49.91SAR 187
52.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$963
$58.3SAR 219
-4.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,926
$97.0SAR 364
15.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,075
$87.9SAR 330
37.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
$588SAR 2,210
87.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
$349SAR 1,311
106.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
$883SAR 3,315
186.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
$553SAR 2,078
133.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.7K
$2,391SAR 8,982
66.92%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
$1,395SAR 5,240
49.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
$4,205SAR 15.8K
-75.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
5.47
106.58%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Umluj: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,103 in Mexico City and $588 in Umluj. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Umluj pays 305% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $37.00 in Umluj for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $200 per month, with Umluj 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 Umluj: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Umluj?
Mexico City and Umluj differ by about 42% in total monthly costs ($1,660 vs $1,168 including rent). Umluj 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 305% lower in Umluj. 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 Umluj?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,103 in Mexico City versus $588 in Umluj. 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 Umluj?
A monthly transit pass in Umluj runs roughly 72% 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 Umluj?
Childcare runs $465 in Mexico City versus $341 in Umluj. 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 $1,168 in Umluj versus $1,660 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Umluj but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Umluj the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Umluj?
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 Umluj safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Umluj 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 Umluj?
Expats usually find Umluj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% 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