🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,352 in Niamey versus $1,484 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,809 in Niamey versus $2,381 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,265 in Niamey versus $3,278 in Mexico City.
🙂Living in Niamey costs roughly 9% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Niamey1% above, Mexico City11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.33F CFA 2,992
$12.98MX$227
-58.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.67F CFA 22.3K
$53.1MX$929
-25.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.70F CFA 6,002
$9.72MX$170
10.08%
Cappuccino
$3.21F CFA 1,801
$3.75MX$65.6
-14.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47F CFA 822
$1.57MX$27.46
-6.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64F CFA 357
$1.13MX$19.76
-43.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.30F CFA 731
$3.18MX$55.7
-59.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13F CFA 1,755
$4.66MX$81.6
-32.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.53F CFA 1,418
$1.62MX$28.37
56.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.60F CFA 339
$2.71MX$47.36
-77.86%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.25F CFA 703
$1.88MX$32.89
-33.51%
Eggs
$2.39F CFA 1,342
$2.51MX$43.90
-4.78%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$10.08MX$176
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.53F CFA 4,224
$8.29MX$145
-9.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.09F CFA 4,540
$11.94MX$209
-32.24%
Apples(1kg)
$4.54F CFA 2,547
$2.86MX$50.1
58.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50F CFA 839
$1.75MX$30.62
-14.29%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.96F CFA 1,658
$2.08MX$36.48
42.31%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.04F CFA 1,144
$1.97MX$34.46
3.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.45F CFA 812
$2.16MX$37.79
-32.87%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68F CFA 383
$2.18MX$38.16
-68.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91F CFA 512
$1.39MX$24.34
-34.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.33F CFA 744
$1.12MX$19.69
18.75%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.63F CFA 1,473
$4.20MX$73.5
-37.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.54F CFA 5,912
$14.25MX$249
-26.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39F CFA 777
$1.76MX$30.85
-21.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18F CFA 1,225
$3.68MX$64.5
-40.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.59F CFA 333
$0.39MX$6.74
51.28%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.76F CFA 15.0K
$18.66MX$327
43.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42F CFA 235
$1.39MX$24.26
-69.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42F CFA 233
$0.30MX$5.32
40.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.11F CFA 3,428
$5.42MX$94.9
12.73%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.98F CFA 548
$1.35MX$23.63
-27.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2KF CFA 11.9M
$18.9KMX$330.5K
12.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2KF CFA 13.6M
$23.2KMX$405.2K
4.60%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$359F CFA 201.1K
$40.82MX$714
778.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.44F CFA 9,780
$27.50MX$481
-36.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.98F CFA 5,037
$30.38MX$532
-70.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.7F CFA 35.2K
$53.4MX$935
17.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.72F CFA 4,893
$26.30MX$460
-66.84%
Cinema Ticket
$4.95F CFA 2,775
$6.27MX$110
-21.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,008F CFA 565.6K
$436MX$7,632
131.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,894F CFA 2.7M
$10.5KMX$183.2K
-53.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.58F CFA 24.4K
$56.8MX$993
-23.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.6F CFA 30.1K
$44.79MX$784
19.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$40.26F CFA 22.6K
$103MX$1,799
-60.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$49.46F CFA 27.7K
$108MX$1,888
-54.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$957F CFA 536.7K
$1,000MX$17.5K
-4.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$444F CFA 249.1K
$620MX$10.9K
-28.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$890F CFA 499.2K
$2,137MX$37.4K
-58.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$456F CFA 256.0K
$1,235MX$21.6K
-63.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,777F CFA 996.6K
$3,865MX$67.6K
-54.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,015F CFA 569.4K
$2,332MX$40.8K
-56.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Niamey
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$323F CFA 181.4K
$1,067MX$18.7K
-69.69%
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $957 in Niamey and $1,000 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 230% 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: $40.00 in Niamey vs $53.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $219 vs $286 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 Mexico City?
Niamey and Mexico City differ by about 10% in total monthly costs ($1,352 vs $1,484 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, Mexico City earns 230% less. 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 Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $957 in Niamey versus $1,000 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 Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Niamey runs roughly 43% 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 $1,008 in Niamey versus $436 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 $1,352 in Niamey versus $1,484 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 10% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.