Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Puyallup, WA and Mexico City

For one person, living is cheaper in Mexico City: $1,548 a month against $3,648 in Puyallup, WA, rent and utilities included – about $25,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Puyallup, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,648
/mo nomad
Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,548
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Puyallup, WA and in Mexico City

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Puyallup, WA and in Mexico City actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,648 in Puyallup, WA versus $1,548 in Mexico City.

  • Puyallup, WA $3,648
  • Mexico City $1,548

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,079 in Puyallup, WA versus $2,436 in Mexico City.

  • Puyallup, WA $5,079
  • Mexico City $2,436

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,511 in Puyallup, WA versus $3,323 in Mexico City.

  • Puyallup, WA $6,511
  • Mexico City $3,323

Living in Puyallup, WA is roughly 136% more expensive than in Mexico City, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Puyallup, WA 169% above, Mexico City 14% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.14 $25.14
$11.02 MX$204
128.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.1 $80.1
$48.68 MX$900
64.63%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.89 $14.89
$10.90 MX$201
36.61%
Cappuccino
$6.70 $6.70
$3.68 MX$68.1
82.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16 $3.16
$1.63 MX$30.18
93.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05 $3.05
$1.25 MX$23.07
144.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.87 $7.87
$3.25 MX$60.1
142.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$8.16 $8.16
$5.53 MX$102
47.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.15 $1.15
$1.70 MX$31.50
-32.35%
White Bread (500g)
$4.65 $4.65
$3.02 MX$55.8
53.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.37 $6.37
$1.92 MX$35.53
231.77%
Eggs
$5.43 $5.43
$2.73 MX$50.5
98.90%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.98 $17.98
$11.77 MX$218
52.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.62 $16.62
$9.53 MX$176
74.40%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.08 $23.08
$14.41 MX$266
60.17%
Apples (1kg)
$5.88 $5.88
$3.02 MX$55.8
94.70%
Banana (1kg)
$1.80 $1.80
$1.89 MX$35.01
-4.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$5.13 $5.13
$1.99 MX$36.70
157.79%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.44 $6.44
$2.19 MX$40.38
194.06%
Potato (1kg)
$3.52 $3.52
$1.92 MX$35.43
83.33%
Onion (1kg)
$3.29 $3.29
$1.87 MX$34.49
75.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.64 $2.64
$1.44 MX$26.62
83.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$1.27 MX$23.39
96.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$12.37 $12.37
$5.22 MX$96.4
136.97%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.95 $17.95
$16.17 MX$299
11.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.90 MX$35.03
-7.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.92 $4.92
$4.22 MX$78.0
16.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$4.92 $4.92
$0.34 MX$6.30
1347.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$173 $173
$19.65 MX$363
778.17%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.67 $2.67
$2.00 MX$36.90
33.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.66 $1.66
$0.52 MX$9.67
219.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$30.48 $30.48
$5.34 MX$98.7
470.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 $1.32
$1.52 MX$28.13
-13.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.3K $33.3K
$22.1K MX$408.0K
50.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$24.5K MX$452.9K
11.18%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$280 $280
$61.1 MX$1,129
359.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$90.6 $90.6
$28.58 MX$528
216.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.1 $85.1
$34.47 MX$637
146.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$72.2 $72.2
$56.4 MX$1,042
28.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.61 $19.61
$24.88 MX$460
-21.18%
Cinema Ticket
$18.33 $18.33
$6.66 MX$123
175.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$3,069 $3,069
$427 MX$7,891
618.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.1K $31.1K
$11.6K MX$215.0K
167.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.3 $61.3
$67.8 MX$1,253
-9.65%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.23 $45.23
$52.0 MX$960
-12.95%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$127 $127
$106 MX$1,959
19.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160 $160
$113 MX$2,080
42.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,855 $1,855
$1,025 MX$18.9K
81.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,779 $1,779
$654 MX$12.1K
171.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,775 $2,775
$2,308 MX$42.7K
20.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,506 $2,506
$1,242 MX$22.9K
101.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,613 MX$66.8K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,936 MX$35.8K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Puyallup, WA
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,884 $6,884
$964 MX$17.8K
614.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.68
11.3
-40.88%

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

Last update for Puyallup, WA: October 19, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: October 20, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Puyallup, WA
$1.8K
Mexico City
$654 63.2% $1.1K
Groceries & Markets
Puyallup, WA
$517
Mexico City
$318 38.4% $198
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puyallup, WA
$456
Mexico City
$124 72.8% $332
Eating Out
Puyallup, WA
$407
Mexico City
$204 49.9% $203
Getting Around
Puyallup, WA
$203
Mexico City
$26 87.4% $178
Clothing & Footwear
Puyallup, WA
$177
Mexico City
$152 14% $25
Sport & Entertainment
Puyallup, WA
$109
Mexico City
$70 36% $39

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,855 in Puyallup, WA and $1,025 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Puyallup, WA pays 614% 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: $80.0 in Puyallup, WA vs $49.00 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $517 vs $318 per month, with Mexico City cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Puyallup, WA
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🕒 Local time
03:53 3:53 AM
04:53 4:53 AM
1 h ahead of Puyallup, WA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
42,973
9,209,944 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

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).

On the map
Between locations
  • Puyallup, WA Mexico City 3,730 km ≈ 5 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Puyallup, WA
  • Mexico City

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
Puyallup, WA vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Puyallup, WA and in Mexico City?
Puyallup, WA and Mexico City differ by about 136% in total monthly costs ($3,648 vs $1,548 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Puyallup, WA or Mexico City?
Average pay runs 614% higher in Puyallup, WA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Puyallup, WA and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,855 in Puyallup, WA versus $1,025 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Puyallup, WA and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Mexico City runs roughly 778% less than in Puyallup, WA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Puyallup, WA and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $3,069 in Puyallup, WA versus $427 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 $2,000 per month?
At $1,548 in Mexico City versus $3,648 in Puyallup, WA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Puyallup, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Puyallup, WA 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: Puyallup, WA or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 136% less than in Puyallup, WA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Puyallup, WA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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