Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Monterrey and Somerset, NJ

For one person, living is cheaper in Monterrey: $1,641 a month against $3,920 in Somerset, NJ, rent and utilities included – about $27,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Monterrey, Mexico
Somerset, NJ, United States
Monterrey
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,641
/mo nomad
Somerset, NJ
🇺🇸 United States
$3,920
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Monterrey and in Somerset, NJ

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 Somerset, NJ actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,641 in Monterrey versus $3,920 in Somerset, NJ.

  • Monterrey $1,641
  • Somerset, NJ $3,920

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,573 in Monterrey versus $4,374 in Somerset, NJ.

  • Monterrey $2,573
  • Somerset, NJ $4,374

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,504 in Monterrey versus $4,829 in Somerset, NJ.

  • Monterrey $3,504
  • Somerset, NJ $4,829

Living in Monterrey costs roughly 58% less than in Somerset, NJ, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Monterrey 21% above, Somerset, NJ 190% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.37 MX$249
$18.34 $18.34
-27.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.95 MX$892
$39.49 $39.49
21.42%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.79 MX$201
$8.21 $8.21
31.43%
Cappuccino
$3.77 MX$70.0
$5.08 $5.08
-25.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51 MX$28.09
$1.99 $1.99
-24.12%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 MX$19.14
$1.53 $1.53
-32.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.48 MX$46.14
$7.76 $7.76
-68.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.36 MX$81.0
$7.02 $7.02
-37.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 MX$35.23
$1.26 $1.26
50.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.85 MX$53.0
$4.46 $4.46
-36.10%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.86 MX$34.52
$6.09 $6.09
-69.46%
Eggs
$2.47 MX$45.86
$2.01 $2.01
22.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.81 MX$220
$13.45 $13.45
-12.19%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.97 MX$167
$10.42 $10.42
-13.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.57 MX$234
$19.72 $19.72
-36.26%
Apples (1kg)
$3.20 MX$59.4
$5.95 $5.95
-46.22%
Banana (1kg)
$1.50 MX$27.96
$3.49 $3.49
-57.02%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.12 MX$39.52
$4.23 $4.23
-49.88%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.33 MX$43.39
$5.18 $5.18
-55.02%
Potato (1kg)
$2.22 MX$41.34
$2.98 $2.98
-25.50%
Onion (1kg)
$2.58 MX$48.07
$2.94 $2.94
-12.24%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.45 MX$26.88
$2.47 $2.47
-41.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 MX$22.72
$3.05 $3.05
-60.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.80 MX$89.2
$15.07 $15.07
-68.15%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.30 MX$247
$14.73 $14.73
-9.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 MX$35.93
$1.83 $1.83
5.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 MX$53.1
$3.60 $3.60
-20.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.80 MX$14.85
$1.84 $1.84
-56.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$30.94 MX$575
$55.2 $55.2
-43.91%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.83 MX$34.08
$3.05 $3.05
-40.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.06 MX$19.66
$2.18 $2.18
-51.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.82 MX$201
$42.09 $42.09
-74.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.47 MX$27.39
$1.14 $1.14
28.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.1K MX$447.9K
$27.1K $27.1K
-11.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5K MX$437.7K
$26.3K $26.3K
-10.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$115 MX$2,132
$170 $170
-32.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$26.37 MX$490
$51.0 $51.0
-48.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.70 MX$478
$49.44 $49.44
-48.02%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.53 MX$568
$40.64 $40.64
-24.88%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.27 MX$396
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.96 MX$92.2
$20.47 $20.47
-75.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$679 MX$12.6K
$1,721 $1,721
-60.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.2K MX$263.8K
$20.3K $20.3K
-30.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.2 MX$1,343
$50.9 $50.9
41.93%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.94 MX$780
$41.79 $41.79
0.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$107 MX$1,999
$88.1 $88.1
22.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119 MX$2,207
$103 $103
15.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,018 MX$18.9K
$1,597 $1,597
-36.27%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$722 MX$13.4K
$2,623 $2,623
-72.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,966 MX$36.6K
$2,582 $2,582
-23.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,416 MX$26.3K
$2,096 $2,096
-32.45%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,203 MX$78.2K
$2,814 $2,814
49.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,782 MX$51.7K
$2,305 $2,305
20.69%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Monterrey
Somerset, NJ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,096 MX$20.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.79
6.72
75.45%

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

Last update for Monterrey: November 2, 2026

Last update for Somerset, NJ: November 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Monterrey
$722
Somerset, NJ
$2.6K 264% $1.9K
Groceries & Markets
Monterrey
$302
Somerset, NJ
$442 46.3% $140
Eating Out
Monterrey
$216
Somerset, NJ
$299 38.7% $83
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Monterrey
$167
Somerset, NJ
$270 62.1% $104
Clothing & Footwear
Monterrey
$153
Somerset, NJ
$128 16.6% $25
Getting Around
Monterrey
$41
Somerset, NJ
$76 85.4% $35
Sport & Entertainment
Monterrey
$40
Somerset, NJ
$82 102% $41

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,018 in Monterrey and $1,597 in Somerset, NJ. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $48 in Monterrey vs $39 in Somerset, NJ. Groceries flip the comparison at $302 vs $442, with Monterrey cheaper for home cooking.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Monterrey
🇺🇸 Somerset, NJ
🕒 Local time
21:02 9:02 PM
22:02 10:02 PM
1 h ahead of Monterrey
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,142,994
11,924
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 7, 2026: 1 USD = 18.6 MXN (100 MXN = 5.38 USD). 1 EUR = 20.78 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 7, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.895 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Monterrey Somerset, NJ 2,900 km ≈ 4 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Monterrey
  • Somerset, NJ

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 Somerset, NJ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Monterrey and in Somerset, NJ?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $1,641 in Monterrey and $3,920 in Somerset, NJ, so Monterrey is about 58% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Monterrey compared to Somerset, NJ?
You’d need roughly $2,461 in Monterrey and $5,880 in Somerset, NJ to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Monterrey and in Somerset, NJ?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,018 in Monterrey versus $1,597 in Somerset, NJ. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Somerset, NJ – a meal for two runs $39 versus $48 in Monterrey. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Monterrey or Somerset, NJ?
All in, you’ll spend $1,641 per month in Monterrey versus $3,920 in Somerset, NJ – Monterrey is about 58% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Which city is more doable on $3,000 per month?
At $1,641 in Monterrey versus $3,920 in Somerset, NJ, a $3,000 budget is realistic in Monterrey but tight or insufficient in Somerset, NJ. 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 Somerset, NJ?
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.

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