Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterrey and Cedar Rapids, IA

For one person, living is cheaper in Monterrey: $1,608 a month against $2,058 in Cedar Rapids, IA, rent and utilities included – about $5,400 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

79

Cost of Living Index in Monterrey
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Monterrey Living Index
100

Cost of Living Index in Cedar Rapids, IA
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Cedar Rapids, IA Living Index

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Monterrey

🇲🇽 Mexico

$1,608

/mo nomad

Cedar Rapids, IA

🇺🇸 United States

$2,058

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Monterrey and in Cedar Rapids, IA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Monterrey and in Cedar Rapids, IA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,608 per month in Monterrey vs $2,058 in Cedar Rapids, IA, rent included.

Monterrey $1,608
Cedar Rapids, IA $2,058

A couple spends around $2,521 per month in Monterrey vs $3,080 in Cedar Rapids, IA, rent included.

Monterrey $2,521
Cedar Rapids, IA $3,080

A family of three spends $3,433 per month in Monterrey vs $4,101 in Cedar Rapids, IA, rent included.

Monterrey $3,433
Cedar Rapids, IA $4,101

Monterrey is about 22% cheaper than Cedar Rapids, IA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both Monterrey and Cedar Rapids, IA sit above the global median – Monterrey by 19%, Cedar Rapids, IA by 52%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$13.85 MX$256

$15.12 $15.12

-8.40%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$49.70 MX$918

$69.7 $69.7

-28.73%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.05 MX$204

$10.84 $10.84

1.94%

Cappuccino

$4.09 MX$75.6

$5.81 $5.81

-29.60%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.68 MX$30.97

$2.79 $2.79

-39.78%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 MX$18.98

$1.88 $1.88

-45.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.40 MX$44.28

$4.63 $4.63

-48.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.35 MX$80.3

$5.87 $5.87

-25.89%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.92 MX$35.55

$0.70 $0.70

174.29%

White Bread (500g)

$2.94 MX$54.2

$2.46 $2.46

19.51%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.88 MX$34.66

$4.70 $4.70

-60.00%

Eggs

$2.55 MX$47.06

$2.52 $2.52

1.19%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$11.84 MX$219

$14.10 $14.10

-16.03%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.36 MX$173

$10.94 $10.94

-14.44%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.10 MX$242

$16.25 $16.25

-19.38%

Apples (1kg)

$3.38 MX$62.5

$4.93 $4.93

-31.44%

Banana (1kg)

$1.52 MX$28.13

$1.10 $1.10

38.18%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.19 MX$40.51

$5.26 $5.26

-58.37%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.36 MX$43.63

$4.58 $4.58

-48.47%

Potato (1kg)

$2.26 MX$41.76

$2.59 $2.59

-12.74%

Onion (1kg)

$2.73 MX$50.5

$2.22 $2.22

22.97%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.52 MX$28.17

$2.01 $2.01

-24.38%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.24 MX$22.90

$2.23 $2.23

-44.39%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.75 MX$87.8

$10.01 $10.01

-52.55%

Wine (Bottle)

$13.66 MX$252

$10.82 $10.82

26.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.89 MX$34.95

$2.18 $2.18

-13.30%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.99 MX$55.2

$3.26 $3.26

-8.28%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.85 MX$15.78

$1.71 $1.71

-50.29%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.95 MX$572

$30.20 $30.20

2.48%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.68 MX$30.98

$3.48 $3.48

-51.72%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.13 MX$20.87

$1.84 $1.84

-38.59%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.15 MX$206

$45.60 $45.60

-75.55%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.56 MX$28.91

$0.85 $0.85

83.53%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.4K MX$395.8K

$36.1K $36.1K

-40.73%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.1K MX$463.2K

$26.6K $26.6K

-5.68%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$119 MX$2,206

$208 $208

-42.48%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$26.21 MX$484

$52.0 $52.0

-49.58%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$26.78 MX$495

$70.2 $70.2

-61.87%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$31.03 MX$573

$102 $102

-69.72%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.43 MX$396

$19.05 $19.05

12.49%

Cinema Ticket

$5.29 MX$97.7

$12.77 $12.77

-58.57%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$691 MX$12.8K

$893 $893

-22.58%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$11.5K MX$212.1K

$12.8K $12.8K

-10.23%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.3 MX$1,335

$62.5 $62.5

15.53%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.72 MX$789

$63.5 $63.5

-32.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$110 MX$2,024

$128 $128

-14.15%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$117 MX$2,158

$152 $152

-23.22%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$970 MX$17.9K

$1,141 $1,141

-15.00%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$664 MX$12.3K

$724 $724

-8.26%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,857 MX$34.3K

$1,637 $1,637

13.44%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,287 MX$23.8K

$1,194 $1,194

7.82%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,162 MX$76.9K

$1,582 $1,582

163.12%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,349 MX$43.4K

$1,547 $1,547

51.84%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,146 MX$21.2K

$3,682 $3,682

-68.86%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.79

6.63

77.83%

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

Last update for Monterrey: October 10, 2026

Last update for Cedar Rapids, IA: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Monterrey

$664 41.3%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$724 35.2% 9% $60

Groceries & Markets

Monterrey

$310 19.3%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$367 17.9% 18.3% $57

Eating Out

Monterrey

$225 14%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$277 13.5% 23.3% $52

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Monterrey

$172 10.7%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$330 16% 91.3% $157

Clothing & Footwear

Monterrey

$154 9.6%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$183 8.9% 18.9% $29

Getting Around

Monterrey

$42 2.6%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$50 2.4% 19.2% $8

Sport & Entertainment

Monterrey

$42 2.6%

Cedar Rapids, IA

$128 6.2% 208% $86

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $970 in Monterrey versus $1,141 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 221% higher in Cedar Rapids, IA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Monterrey versus $70.0 in Cedar Rapids, IA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $310 vs $367 – making Monterrey the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇲🇽 Monterrey

🇺🇸 Cedar Rapids, IA

🕒 Local time

12:16 12:16 PM

13:16 1:16 PM

1 h ahead of Monterrey

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

1,142,994

137,710

💱 Currency

Mexican Peso MXN $

United States Dollar USD $

📈 Exchange rate

100 MXN = 5.41 USD

100 MXN = 4.81 EUR

1 USD = 0.89 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇲🇽 Mexican Peso ($)

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

USD to MXN in detail →

On the map

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Between locations

Monterrey Cedar Rapids, IA 1,980 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight

From you

Monterrey
Cedar Rapids, IA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

Monterrey vs Cedar Rapids, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Cedar Rapids, IA is pricier by about 28%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in leisure.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,412 per month in Monterrey and $3,087 in Cedar Rapids, IA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Monterrey, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 18% more in Cedar Rapids, IA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Monterrey and $70.0 in Cedar Rapids, IA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Monterrey, where all-in costs run around $1,608, than in Cedar Rapids, IA at $2,058. In Monterrey it covers expenses comfortably, while in Cedar Rapids, IA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Monterrey – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.

If budget matters most, go with Monterrey. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Cedar Rapids, IA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.