😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,447 in Mexico City versus $1,236 in Umluj.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,310 in Mexico City versus $1,857 in Umluj.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,174 in Mexico City versus $2,477 in Umluj.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 17% more expensive than Umluj, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 8% above, Umluj is 8% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$223
$6.46SAR 24.25
100.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.6MX$903
$43.78SAR 164
20.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.43MX$162
$8.10SAR 30.41
16.42%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.76SAR 6.60
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.78SAR 6.68
-
Cappuccino
$3.57MX$61.3
$3.73SAR 13.99
-4.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61MX$27.55
$0.75SAR 2.80
114.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15MX$19.81
$0.29SAR 1.09
296.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.15MX$54.0
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.86MX$83.4
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.17
$1.71SAR 6.43
-0.58%
White Bread(500g)
$2.64MX$45.23
$1.01SAR 3.78
161.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.67
$2.39SAR 8.97
-20.50%
Eggs
$2.54MX$43.62
$2.41SAR 9.04
5.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$173
$6.97SAR 26.16
44.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$142
$7.64SAR 28.68
8.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.57MX$199
$12.95SAR 48.61
-10.66%
Apples(1kg)
$3.03MX$52.0
$2.19SAR 8.22
38.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.35
$1.58SAR 5.92
8.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.16
$1.76SAR 6.60
16.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.36
$1.57SAR 5.89
31.21%
Potato(1kg)
$2.06MX$35.43
$1.24SAR 4.65
66.13%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.25
$1.26SAR 4.74
72.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.08
$1.18SAR 4.44
18.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.26
$0.55SAR 2.07
103.64%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$3.04SAR 11.42
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.71SAR 6.43
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.99SAR 7.49
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.29MX$73.7
$6.97SAR 26.17
-38.45%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.41MX$265
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.74
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69MX$63.3
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.38MX$6.55
$1.04SAR 3.91
-63.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.06MX$327
$40.18SAR 151
-52.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.70
$2.67SAR 10.04
-48.31%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.28MX$4.74
$1.81SAR 6.81
-84.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$92.9
$13.38SAR 50.2
-59.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.28MX$21.98
$0.59SAR 2.22
116.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.0KMX$325.8K
$26.3KSAR 98.9K
-27.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5KMX$402.7K
$22.8KSAR 85.4K
3.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.02MX$704
$105SAR 394
-60.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.92MX$462
$33.65SAR 126
-20.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.69MX$510
$73.2SAR 275
-59.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.3MX$898
$87.1SAR 327
-39.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.23MX$450
$35.68SAR 134
-26.49%
Cinema Ticket
$6.18MX$106
$15.42SAR 57.9
-59.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$427MX$7,331
$353SAR 1,324
21.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.7KMX$183.6K
$6,979SAR 26.2K
53.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$975
$60.3SAR 226
-5.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.83MX$769
$60.4SAR 226
-25.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105MX$1,794
$79.1SAR 297
32.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$106MX$1,819
$82.0SAR 308
29.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$995MX$17.1K
$436SAR 1,635
128.31%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$621MX$10.7K
$376SAR 1,412
65.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,126MX$36.5K
$868SAR 3,258
144.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,254MX$21.5K
$618SAR 2,319
102.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,903MX$67.0K
$2,334SAR 8,758
67.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,096MX$36.0K
$1,193SAR 4,476
75.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Umluj
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,107MX$19.0K
$4,301SAR 16.1K
-74.26%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
4.42
156.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Last update for Umluj: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $995 in Mexico City and $436 in Umluj. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Umluj pays 288% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $44.00 in Umluj for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $288 vs $197 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 Umluj?
Mexico City and Umluj differ by about 17% in total monthly costs ($1,447 vs $1,236 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, Umluj earns 288% less. 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 Umluj?
Rent for a central apartment: $995 in Mexico City versus $436 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 Umluj?
A monthly transit pass in Umluj runs roughly 111% 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 $427 in Mexico City versus $353 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 $1,236 in Umluj versus $1,447 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 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