😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,660 in Mexico City versus $674 in Yogyakarta.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,565 in Mexico City versus $928 in Yogyakarta.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,470 in Mexico City versus $1,183 in Yogyakarta.
🌍Living in Mexico City is roughly 146% more expensive than in Yogyakarta, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 21% above, Yogyakarta is 51% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.92MX$206
$1.16Rp 20.5K
927.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.6MX$890
$13.74Rp 243.2K
275.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.41MX$197
$3.39Rp 60.0K
236.58%
Cappuccino
$3.99MX$68.9
$1.24Rp 21.9K
221.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66MX$28.61
$0.41Rp 7,185
304.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.87
$0.23Rp 4,046
478.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47MX$59.9
$2.59Rp 45.9K
33.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.90MX$102
$3.66Rp 64.9K
61.20%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.88MX$32.36
$1.19Rp 21.0K
57.98%
White Bread(500g)
$3.25MX$56.1
$1.11Rp 19.6K
192.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.26
$0.83Rp 14.7K
160.24%
Eggs
$2.90MX$49.94
$1.33Rp 23.5K
118.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.86MX$222
$5.55Rp 98.3K
131.71%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.05MX$173
$3.06Rp 54.1K
228.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.86MX$273
$5.53Rp 98.0K
186.80%
Apples(1kg)
$3.29MX$56.8
$2.69Rp 47.7K
22.30%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01MX$34.60
$1.28Rp 22.7K
57.03%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.20MX$37.93
$1.23Rp 21.9K
78.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.36MX$40.63
$0.92Rp 16.3K
156.52%
Potato(1kg)
$2.05MX$35.43
$1.08Rp 19.1K
89.81%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.79
$1.96Rp 34.6K
-3.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.61MX$27.68
$0.43Rp 7,689
274.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.40MX$24.09
$0.47Rp 8,395
197.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.46MX$94.2
$2.92Rp 51.8K
86.99%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.65MX$304
$20.01Rp 354.3K
-11.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06MX$35.44
$2.19Rp 38.8K
-5.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.68MX$80.8
$3.75Rp 66.4K
24.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34MX$5.84
$0.19Rp 3,404
78.95%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.81MX$359
$8.71Rp 154.2K
138.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.10MX$36.15
$1.44Rp 25.5K
45.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56MX$9.64
$0.41Rp 7,268
36.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81MX$100
$4.58Rp 81.2K
26.86%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.61MX$27.68
$0.73Rp 12.9K
120.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8KMX$393.8K
$15.8KRp 280.3M
44.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.8KMX$461.2K
$27.9KRp 494.7M
-4.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$65.2MX$1,124
$67.7Rp 1.2M
-3.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.09MX$519
$4.94Rp 87.5K
509.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.18MX$641
$21.18Rp 375.1K
75.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.8MX$1,030
$39.03Rp 691.0K
53.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.55MX$458
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.04MX$121
$2.59Rp 45.8K
171.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$465MX$8,012
$83.8Rp 1.5M
454.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.3KMX$228.9K
$4,048Rp 71.7M
227.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.9MX$1,308
$54.9Rp 971.7K
38.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.0MX$965
$32.55Rp 576.3K
71.89%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$112MX$1,929
$84.8Rp 1.5M
31.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121MX$2,078
$91.5Rp 1.6M
31.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,103MX$19.0K
$221Rp 3.9M
397.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$721MX$12.4K
$163Rp 2.9M
343.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,530MX$43.6K
$584Rp 10.3M
333.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,293MX$22.3K
$136Rp 2.4M
853.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,991MX$68.8K
$1,686Rp 29.9M
136.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,090MX$36.0K
$230Rp 4.1M
810.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Yogyakarta
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,037MX$17.9K
$225Rp 4.0M
361.16%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.3
8.45
33.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Last update for Yogyakarta: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,103 in Mexico City and $221 in Yogyakarta. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 361% 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: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $14.00 in Yogyakarta for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $345 vs $184 per month, with Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Yogyakarta?
Mexico City and Yogyakarta differ by about 146% in total monthly costs ($1,660 vs $674 including rent). Yogyakarta is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Yogyakarta?
Average pay runs 361% 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 Yogyakarta?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,103 in Mexico City versus $221 in Yogyakarta. 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 Yogyakarta?
A monthly transit pass in Yogyakarta runs roughly 139% 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 Yogyakarta?
Childcare runs $465 in Mexico City versus $83.8 in Yogyakarta. 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 $674 in Yogyakarta versus $1,660 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Yogyakarta but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Yogyakarta the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mexico City and Yogyakarta?
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 Yogyakarta safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Yogyakarta 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 Yogyakarta?
Expats usually find Yogyakarta gentler on the wallet – expenses run 146% 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