Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterrey and Kansas City, KS

For one person, living is cheaper in Monterrey: $1,608 a month against $2,693 in Kansas City, KS, rent and utilities included – about $13,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Monterrey
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,608
/mo nomad
Kansas City, KS
🇺🇸 United States
$2,693
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Monterrey and in Kansas City, KS

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 Kansas City, KS actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,608 per month in Monterrey vs $2,693 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Monterrey $1,608
  • Kansas City, KS $2,693

A couple spends around $2,521 per month in Monterrey vs $4,087 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Monterrey $2,521
  • Kansas City, KS $4,087

A family of three spends $3,433 per month in Monterrey vs $5,482 in Kansas City, KS, rent included.

  • Monterrey $3,433
  • Kansas City, KS $5,482

Monterrey is about 40% cheaper than Kansas City, KS, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Monterrey and Kansas City, KS sit above the global median – Monterrey by 19%, Kansas City, KS by 99%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.85 MX$256
$23.66 $23.66
-41.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.70 MX$918
$81.4 $81.4
-38.96%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.05 MX$204
$12.44 $12.44
-11.17%
Cappuccino
$4.09 MX$75.6
$6.15 $6.15
-33.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.68 MX$30.97
$3.14 $3.14
-46.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 MX$18.98
$2.52 $2.52
-59.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.40 MX$44.28
$5.11 $5.11
-53.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35 MX$80.3
$9.14 $9.14
-52.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.92 MX$35.55
$1.07 $1.07
79.44%
White Bread (500g)
$2.94 MX$54.2
$3.46 $3.46
-15.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.88 MX$34.66
$5.13 $5.13
-63.35%
Eggs
$2.55 MX$47.06
$4.47 $4.47
-42.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.84 MX$219
$13.87 $13.87
-14.64%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.36 MX$173
$9.63 $9.63
-2.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.10 MX$242
$13.78 $13.78
-4.93%
Apples (1kg)
$3.38 MX$62.5
$4.21 $4.21
-19.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 MX$28.13
$2.08 $2.08
-26.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 MX$40.51
$5.76 $5.76
-61.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.36 MX$43.63
$5.53 $5.53
-57.32%
Potato (1kg)
$2.26 MX$41.76
$3.39 $3.39
-33.33%
Onion (1kg)
$2.73 MX$50.5
$3.85 $3.85
-29.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.52 MX$28.17
$2.34 $2.34
-35.04%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.24 MX$22.90
$2.16 $2.16
-42.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.75 MX$87.8
$9.59 $9.59
-50.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.66 MX$252
$17.31 $17.31
-21.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.89 MX$34.95
$1.80 $1.80
5.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99 MX$55.2
$3.76 $3.76
-20.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.85 MX$15.78
$1.47 $1.47
-42.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.95 MX$572
$54.2 $54.2
-42.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.68 MX$30.98
$4.88 $4.88
-65.57%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.13 MX$20.87
$1.27 $1.27
-11.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.15 MX$206
$41.88 $41.88
-73.38%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.56 MX$28.91
$1.02 $1.02
52.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.4K MX$395.8K
$34.5K $34.5K
-37.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K MX$463.2K
$24.8K $24.8K
1.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$119 MX$2,206
$202 $202
-40.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.21 MX$484
$54.8 $54.8
-52.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.78 MX$495
$66.4 $66.4
-59.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$31.03 MX$573
$113 $113
-72.54%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.43 MX$396
$63.7 $63.7
-66.37%
Cinema Ticket
$5.29 MX$97.7
$15.24 $15.24
-65.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$691 MX$12.8K
$448 $448
54.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.5K MX$212.1K
$21.4K $21.4K
-46.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.3 MX$1,335
$60.0 $60.0
20.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.72 MX$789
$43.36 $43.36
-1.48%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 MX$2,024
$105 $105
4.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117 MX$2,158
$145 $145
-19.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$970 MX$17.9K
$1,510 $1,510
-35.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$664 MX$12.3K
$1,226 $1,226
-45.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,857 MX$34.3K
$2,771 $2,771
-32.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,287 MX$23.8K
$2,180 $2,180
-40.95%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,162 MX$76.9K
$2,198 $2,198
89.36%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,349 MX$43.4K
$2,178 $2,178
7.86%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monterrey
Kansas City, KS
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,146 MX$21.2K
$3,127 $3,127
-63.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.79
6.56
79.73%

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

Last update for Monterrey: October 10, 2026

Last update for Kansas City, KS: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
$664
Kansas City, KS
$1.2K 84.7% $562
Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
$310
Kansas City, KS
$403 29.9% $93
Eating Out
Monterrey
$225
Kansas City, KS
$367 63.4% $142
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
$172
Kansas City, KS
$323 87.6% $151
Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
$154
Kansas City, KS
$159 3.4% $5.3
Getting Around
Monterrey
$42
Kansas City, KS
$71 71% $30
Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
$42
Kansas City, KS
$143 245% $102

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $970 in Monterrey versus $1,510 in Kansas City, KS. 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 173% higher in Kansas City, KS, 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 $81.0 in Kansas City, KS. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $310 vs $403 – making Monterrey the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Monterrey
🇺🇸 Kansas City, KS
🕒 Local time
11:42 11:42 AM
12:42 12:42 PM
1 h ahead of Monterrey
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,142,994
463,202
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Monterrey Kansas City, KS 1,590 km ≈ 2 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Monterrey
  • Kansas City, KS

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 Kansas City, KS: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Monterrey or Kansas City, KS?
Kansas City, KS costs about 67% more than Monterrey, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Monterrey and in Kansas City, KS?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,412 per month in Monterrey and $4,040 in Kansas City, KS. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Monterrey or Kansas City, KS?
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.
How do childcare costs compare in Monterrey and in Kansas City, KS?
Kindergarten costs $691 per month in Monterrey and $448 in Kansas City, KS. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Monterrey or in Kansas City, KS?
Groceries cost about 30% more in Kansas City, KS, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $3,000/month in Monterrey or in Kansas City, KS?
A $3,000 monthly budget goes further in Monterrey, where all-in costs run around $1,608, than in Kansas City, KS at $2,693. In Monterrey it covers expenses comfortably, while in Kansas City, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Monterrey or Kansas City, KS?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Monterrey costs $1,608 versus $2,693 in Kansas City, KS. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Monterrey or to Kansas City, KS?
If budget matters most, go with Monterrey. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Kansas City, KS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Monterrey vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?