Cost of Living Comparison Between Missoula, MT and Mexico City Cost of Living Comparison Between Missoula, MT and Mexico City

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,427 in Missoula, MT versus $1,466 in Mexico City.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,881 in Missoula, MT versus $2,325 in Mexico City.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,334 in Missoula, MT versus $3,184 in Mexico City.

Living in Missoula, MT is roughly 66% more expensive than Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Missoula, MT 81% above, Mexico City 9% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.30 $18.30
$13.30 MX$231
37.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0 $74.0
$53.8 MX$932
37.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.38 $9.38
$9.42 MX$163
-0.42%
Cappuccino
$4.28 $4.28
$3.59 MX$62.3
19.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 $2.13
$1.62 MX$28.13
31.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.85 $1.85
$1.12 MX$19.49
65.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.07 $6.07
$3.25 MX$56.3
86.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.15 $6.15
$4.65 MX$80.6
32.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.64 MX$28.37
-38.41%
White Bread (500g)
$2.93 $2.93
$2.65 MX$46.00
10.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$5.00 $5.00
$1.96 MX$33.99
155.10%
Eggs
$4.49 $4.49
$2.54 MX$44.08
76.77%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.64 $16.64
$9.97 MX$173
66.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$10.90 $10.90
$8.39 MX$145
29.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.47 $16.47
$11.83 MX$205
39.22%
Apples (1kg)
$4.68 $4.68
$2.86 MX$49.62
63.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.60 $1.60
$1.73 MX$30.05
-7.51%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.21 $5.21
$1.99 MX$34.50
161.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.43 $5.43
$2.05 MX$35.51
164.88%
Potato (1kg)
$2.20 $2.20
$2.06 MX$35.64
6.80%
Onion (1kg)
$2.58 $2.58
$2.28 MX$39.54
13.16%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.45 MX$25.05
33.79%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 $2.26
$1.09 MX$18.83
107.34%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.84 $10.84
$4.27 MX$73.9
153.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$24.54 $24.54
$14.67 MX$254
67.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.76 MX$30.58
1.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$3.57 MX$61.8
-25.49%
🚌 Getting Around
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.05 $2.05
$0.38 MX$6.67
439.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$18.73 MX$325
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.93 $4.93
$1.39 MX$24.09
254.68%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.77 $1.77
$0.30 MX$5.26
490.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$40.42 $40.42
$5.41 MX$93.8
647.13%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 $0.83
$1.34 MX$23.22
-38.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2K $26.2K
$18.9K MX$326.7K
39.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.5K $26.5K
$23.2K MX$402.0K
14.44%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$130 $130
$40.30 MX$698
222.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.9 $59.9
$27.15 MX$471
120.48%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.5 $72.5
$29.46 MX$510
146.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$63.7 $63.7
$52.7 MX$914
20.72%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$26.17 MX$454
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.94 $11.94
$6.18 MX$107
93.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,407 $1,407
$441 MX$7,637
219.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$13.8K $13.8K
$10.7K MX$185.4K
29.05%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.1 $53.1
$57.2 MX$992
-7.23%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.61 $46.61
$45.04 MX$781
3.49%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.5 $89.5
$103 MX$1,793
-13.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144 $144
$109 MX$1,884
32.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,567 $1,567
$1,000 MX$17.3K
56.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,173 $1,173
$632 MX$11.0K
85.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,966 $2,966
$2,141 MX$37.1K
38.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,646 $2,646
$1,253 MX$21.7K
111.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,039 $4,039
$3,745 MX$64.9K
7.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,700 $3,700
$2,381 MX$41.3K
55.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Missoula, MT
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,566 $3,566
$1,079 MX$18.7K
230.43%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
11.34
-41.45%

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

Last update for Missoula, MT: April 22, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,567 in Missoula, MT and $1,000 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Missoula, MT pays 230% 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: $74 in Missoula, MT vs $54 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $422 vs $286 per month, with Mexico City 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
Missoula, MT vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Missoula, MT and Mexico City?
Missoula, MT and Mexico City differ by about 66% in total monthly costs ($2,427 vs $1,466 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Missoula, MT or Mexico City?
Missoula, MT pays 230% more on average, 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 Missoula, MT and Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,567 in Missoula, MT versus $1,000 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Missoula, MT and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $1,407 in Missoula, MT versus $441 in Mexico City. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mexico City – a meal for two runs $54.0 versus $74.0 in Missoula, MT. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,466 in Mexico City versus $2,427 in Missoula, MT, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Missoula, MT. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Missoula, MT and Mexico City?
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 Missoula, MT or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Missoula, MT and Mexico City 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: Missoula, MT or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 66% less than in Missoula, MT. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Missoula, MT vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities