🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,376 in Niamey versus $1,472 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,812 in Niamey versus $2,359 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,248 in Niamey versus $3,245 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Niamey costs roughly 7% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Niamey3% above, Mexico City11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.40F CFA 3,068
$13.14MX$227
-58.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.45F CFA 22.4K
$53.5MX$926
-26.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.40F CFA 5,903
$9.33MX$161
11.47%
Cappuccino
$3.17F CFA 1,798
$3.70MX$64.0
-14.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45F CFA 825
$1.60MX$27.76
-9.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64F CFA 366
$1.12MX$19.34
-42.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.30F CFA 739
$3.14MX$54.3
-58.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12F CFA 1,772
$4.85MX$83.9
-35.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.45F CFA 1,391
$1.65MX$28.61
48.48%
White Bread(500g)
$0.57F CFA 323
$2.71MX$46.96
-78.97%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.26F CFA 717
$1.91MX$33.03
-34.03%
Eggs
$2.39F CFA 1,356
$2.59MX$44.81
-7.72%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$9.81MX$170
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.53F CFA 4,276
$8.43MX$146
-10.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.80F CFA 4,431
$11.93MX$206
-34.62%
Apples(1kg)
$4.29F CFA 2,433
$2.95MX$51.1
45.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49F CFA 844
$1.74MX$30.10
-14.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.97F CFA 1,687
$2.04MX$35.38
45.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03F CFA 1,150
$2.06MX$35.64
-1.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.48F CFA 843
$2.15MX$37.20
-31.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.73F CFA 417
$2.26MX$39.02
-67.70%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89F CFA 507
$1.39MX$23.97
-35.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.37F CFA 780
$1.12MX$19.31
22.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69F CFA 1,525
$4.22MX$73.0
-36.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.93F CFA 7,910
$17.51MX$303
-20.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39F CFA 790
$1.71MX$29.58
-18.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23F CFA 1,269
$3.63MX$62.8
-38.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64F CFA 361
$0.35MX$6.10
82.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.36F CFA 15.0K
$19.32MX$334
36.44%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.46F CFA 261
$1.38MX$23.80
-66.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42F CFA 236
$0.28MX$4.77
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.04F CFA 3,430
$5.28MX$91.3
14.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.95F CFA 540
$1.36MX$23.50
-30.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8KF CFA 11.8M
$19.1KMX$330.5K
8.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.6KF CFA 14.0M
$23.6KMX$408.4K
4.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$351F CFA 199.0K
$40.53MX$701
764.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.99F CFA 10.2K
$27.38MX$474
-34.30%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.08F CFA 5,153
$30.38MX$526
-70.11%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.5F CFA 35.5K
$52.2MX$903
19.74%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.61F CFA 4,887
$26.48MX$458
-67.48%
Cinema Ticket
$4.72F CFA 2,679
$6.19MX$107
-23.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,011F CFA 574.0K
$425MX$7,355
137.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,827F CFA 2.7M
$10.7KMX$185.7K
-55.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.68F CFA 24.8K
$58.3MX$1,009
-25.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.7F CFA 30.5K
$44.57MX$771
20.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$40.15F CFA 22.8K
$103MX$1,791
-61.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.11F CFA 27.9K
$109MX$1,881
-54.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$974F CFA 552.7K
$1,014MX$17.5K
-3.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$448F CFA 254.2K
$623MX$10.8K
-28.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$876F CFA 497.5K
$2,119MX$36.7K
-58.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$455F CFA 258.2K
$1,223MX$21.2K
-62.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,721F CFA 977.3K
$3,792MX$65.6K
-54.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$975F CFA 553.7K
$2,110MX$36.5K
-53.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$385F CFA 218.8K
$1,052MX$18.2K
-63.37%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11
11.34
-3.00%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Niamey: July 26, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: July 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $974 in Niamey and $1,014 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 173% 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: $39.00 in Niamey vs $54.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $223 vs $293 per month, with Niamey 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
Niamey vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Niamey and in Mexico City?
Niamey and Mexico City differ by about 7% in total monthly costs ($1,376 vs $1,472 including rent). Niamey 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 173% lower in Mexico City. 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 Niamey and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $974 in Niamey versus $1,014 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Niamey and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Niamey runs roughly 36% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Niamey and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $1,011 in Niamey versus $425 in Mexico City. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,376 in Niamey versus $1,472 in Mexico City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Niamey but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Niamey the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Niamey 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.
Where should expats move: Niamey or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Niamey gentler on the wallet – expenses run 7% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.