Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterrey and Killeen, TX

For one person, living is cheaper in Monterrey: $1,599 a month against $2,106 in Killeen, TX, rent and utilities included – about $6,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Monterrey
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,599
/mo nomad
Killeen, TX
🇺🇸 United States
$2,106
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Monterrey and in Killeen, TX

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 Killeen, TX actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,599 in Monterrey versus $2,106 in Killeen, TX.

  • Monterrey $1,599
  • Killeen, TX $2,106

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,493 in Monterrey versus $3,276 in Killeen, TX.

  • Monterrey $2,493
  • Killeen, TX $3,276

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,387 in Monterrey versus $4,447 in Killeen, TX.

  • Monterrey $3,387
  • Killeen, TX $4,447

Living in Monterrey costs roughly 24% less than in Killeen, TX, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Monterrey 18% above, Killeen, TX 55% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.80 MX$255
$20.34 $20.34
-32.15%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.99 MX$887
$65.3 $65.3
-26.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.65 MX$197
$11.77 $11.77
-9.52%
Cappuccino
$3.99 MX$73.7
$5.43 $5.43
-26.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66 MX$30.76
$2.92 $2.92
-43.15%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 MX$18.21
$1.87 $1.87
-47.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.36 MX$43.64
$5.06 $5.06
-53.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.43 MX$81.8
$5.78 $5.78
-23.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.82 MX$33.58
$1.04 $1.04
75.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.83 MX$52.4
$2.30 $2.30
23.04%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.92 MX$35.44
$4.77 $4.77
-59.75%
Eggs
$2.48 MX$45.78
$3.99 $3.99
-37.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.74 MX$217
$8.67 $8.67
35.41%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.10 MX$168
$11.14 $11.14
-18.31%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.53 MX$232
$18.15 $18.15
-30.96%
Apples (1kg)
$3.34 MX$61.6
$5.75 $5.75
-41.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 MX$29.10
$0.94 $0.94
67.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.16 MX$39.86
$5.04 $5.04
-57.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.47 MX$45.65
$4.13 $4.13
-40.19%
Potato (1kg)
$2.31 MX$42.64
$2.40 $2.40
-3.75%
Onion (1kg)
$2.68 MX$49.47
$2.87 $2.87
-6.62%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 MX$26.90
$1.92 $1.92
-23.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 MX$22.07
$2.85 $2.85
-58.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.75 MX$87.8
$6.03 $6.03
-21.23%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.58 MX$251
$11.73 $11.73
15.77%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92 MX$35.52
$2.08 $2.08
-7.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88 MX$53.2
$1.83 $1.83
57.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.79 MX$14.66
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.36 MX$579
$72.9 $72.9
-56.96%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.59 MX$29.44
$3.08 $3.08
-48.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.06 MX$19.58
$1.79 $1.79
-40.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.80 MX$200
$14.76 $14.76
-26.83%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.55 MX$28.59
$0.93 $0.93
66.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K MX$446.4K
$35.8K $35.8K
-32.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.3K MX$449.4K
$24.2K $24.2K
0.69%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$117 MX$2,159
$191 $191
-38.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.38 MX$488
$58.0 $58.0
-54.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.04 MX$481
$66.6 $66.6
-60.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.26 MX$559
$23.01 $23.01
31.51%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.25 MX$393
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.23 MX$96.6
$12.96 $12.96
-59.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$673 MX$12.4K
$2,090 $2,090
-67.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.1K MX$205.2K
$24.0K $24.0K
-53.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.1 MX$1,332
$38.16 $38.16
88.89%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.38 MX$783
$19.71 $19.71
115.02%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 MX$2,066
$63.4 $63.4
76.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 MX$2,200
$64.3 $64.3
85.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$949 MX$17.5K
$1,010 $1,010
-6.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$666 MX$12.3K
$882 $882
-24.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,821 MX$33.7K
$1,553 $1,553
17.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,271 MX$23.5K
$1,791 $1,791
-29.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,050 MX$74.8K
$1,747 $1,747
131.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,348 MX$43.4K
$1,758 $1,758
33.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monterrey
Killeen, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,155 MX$21.3K
$3,303 $3,303
-65.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.79
6.71
75.71%

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

Last update for Monterrey: October 18, 2026

Last update for Killeen, TX: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
$666
Killeen, TX
$882 32.4% $216
Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
$304
Killeen, TX
$372 22.2% $68
Eating Out
Monterrey
$221
Killeen, TX
$319 44.1% $98
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
$169
Killeen, TX
$315 86.4% $146
Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
$155
Killeen, TX
$83 46.3% $72
Getting Around
Monterrey
$41
Killeen, TX
$85 * 105% $43
Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
$41
Killeen, TX
$49 20.2% $8.2

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $949 in Monterrey and $1,010 in Killeen, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Killeen, TX pays 186% 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: $48.00 in Monterrey vs $65.0 in Killeen, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $304 vs $372 per month, with Monterrey cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Monterrey
🇺🇸 Killeen, TX
🕒 Local time
11:54 11:54 AM
12:54 12:54 PM
1 h ahead of Monterrey
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,142,994
153,095
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 20, 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 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Monterrey Killeen, TX 660 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Monterrey
  • Killeen, TX

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 Killeen, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Monterrey and in Killeen, TX?
Monterrey and Killeen, TX differ by about 32% in total monthly costs ($1,599 vs $2,106 including rent). Monterrey is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 186% lower in Killeen, TX. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Monterrey and in Killeen, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $949 in Monterrey versus $1,010 in Killeen, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Monterrey and in Killeen, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Monterrey runs roughly 132% less than in Killeen, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Monterrey and Killeen, TX?
Childcare runs $673 in Monterrey versus $2,090 in Killeen, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,599 in Monterrey versus $2,106 in Killeen, TX, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Monterrey but tight or insufficient in Killeen, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Monterrey the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Monterrey and Killeen, TX?
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.
Where should expats move: Monterrey or Killeen, TX?
Expats usually find Monterrey gentler on the wallet – expenses run 32% less than in Killeen, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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