😐A single person spends $1,123 per month in Mexico vs $706 in Barbados, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $1,789 per month in Mexico vs $1,238 in Barbados, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,455 per month in Mexico vs $1,769 in Barbados, rent included.
😐Mexico costs about 59% more than Barbados on average – the gap runs across housing, groceries, transport, and services.
📊Both Mexico and Barbados are more affordable than the global median – Mexico16% lower, Barbados47% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.44MX$179
$19.83BBD 39.66
-47.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.03MX$721
$99.7BBD 199
-57.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.16MX$140
$10.09BBD 20.18
-19.13%
Cappuccino
$3.36MX$57.6
$4.83BBD 9.66
-30.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33MX$22.83
$1.77BBD 3.54
-24.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91MX$15.56
$1.40BBD 2.80
-35.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.33MX$40.00
$2.46BBD 4.92
-5.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26MX$73.2
$4.04BBD 8.08
5.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.53MX$26.23
$3.41BBD 6.82
-55.13%
White Bread(500g)
$2.58MX$44.37
$2.69BBD 5.37
-4.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.75MX$29.96
$3.96BBD 7.92
-55.81%
Eggs
$2.39MX$41.10
$5.75BBD 11.51
-58.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.37MX$144
$8.02BBD 16.03
4.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.87MX$135
$11.21BBD 22.41
-29.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.74MX$184
$10.30BBD 20.60
4.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.83MX$48.52
$4.25BBD 8.50
-33.41%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.03
$3.11BBD 6.22
-53.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.92MX$32.89
$5.02BBD 10.04
-61.75%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.87MX$32.14
$4.07BBD 8.15
-54.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.18
$4.05BBD 8.10
-50.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.65
$3.22BBD 6.45
-35.40%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32MX$22.69
$2.64BBD 5.29
-50.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.01MX$17.38
$2.30BBD 4.60
-56.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.28MX$73.6
$8.18BBD 16.35
-47.68%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.48MX$197
$15.83BBD 31.67
-27.48%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.60MX$27.51
$1.82BBD 3.64
-12.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94MX$50.4
$2.90BBD 5.79
1.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.65MX$11.09
$1.78BBD 3.57
-63.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.49MX$455
$25.27BBD 50.6
4.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.57MX$44.17
$14.83BBD 29.66
-82.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.97MX$33.74
$2.47BBD 4.94
-20.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.46MX$180
$40.42BBD 80.9
-74.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.30MX$22.38
$2.08BBD 4.17
-37.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.4KMX$350.9K
$39.5KBBD 78.9K
-48.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.0KMX$394.3K
$37.6KBBD 75.2K
-38.91%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.3MX$1,070
$123BBD 245
-49.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.43MX$402
$50.4BBD 101
-53.52%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.55MX$490
$59.1BBD 118
-51.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.43MX$608
$71.2BBD 142
-50.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.25MX$313
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.63MX$79.4
$10.05BBD 20.10
-53.93%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$252MX$4,331
$264BBD 527
-4.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,610MX$96.3K
$7,296BBD 14.6K
-23.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6MX$885
$57.4BBD 115
-10.13%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.05MX$687
$37.93BBD 75.9
5.59%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.9MX$1,595
$100BBD 201
-7.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.3MX$1,533
$92.8BBD 186
-3.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$652MX$11.2K
$685BBD 1,370
-4.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$455MX$7,808
$550BBD 1,099
-17.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,223MX$21.0K
$1,728BBD 3,456
-29.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$872MX$15.0K
$1,218BBD 2,435
-28.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,613MX$44.8K
$3,493BBD 6,985
-25.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,574MX$27.0K
$3,550BBD 7,101
-55.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico
Barbados
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$792MX$13.6K
$1,298BBD 2,597
-39.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.45
5.62
103.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico: June 8, 2026
Last update for Barbados: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠Average rent: $529 in Mexico vs $200 in Barbados. For reference, capital cities sit at $995 in Mexico City and $588 in Bridgetown.
💰Average salary: $769 in Mexico vs $1,445 in Barbados. The income gap affects purchasing power and how far your budget stretches in each country.
Cost Highlights
⭐Rent is 165% higher in Mexico.
⭐Public transport is 175% more expensive in Mexico.
⭐Salaries are 88% higher in Barbados, giving Barbados stronger purchasing power.
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 vs Barbados: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do Barbados and Mexico compare in cost of living?
Barbados is the cheaper option – living costs run roughly 58% lower on average. The gap is consistent across housing, groceries, transport, and entertainment.
How do rents compare between Barbados and Mexico?
Housing costs more in Mexico, and the gap is biggest in capital cities. Regional towns show less difference, but Mexico consistently has higher rents.
Where are groceries and transport cheaper: Barbados or Mexico?
Groceries, transport, and utilities all cost less in Barbados, contributing to the overall 58% price gap. The savings show up everywhere – from supermarket receipts to monthly bills.
How far does $3,000 go in Barbados vs Mexico?
$3,000 buys a comfortable lifestyle in Barbados, but in Mexico it only works with careful planning outside the capital. Same money, very different lives.
How do I choose between living in Barbados and Mexico?
Barbados is the budget-friendly choice for expats – lower housing and daily costs. But cost isn't everything: visa policies, language, healthcare quality, and job markets all weigh in too.