😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,479 in Redding, CA versus $1,481 in Mexico City.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,474 in Redding, CA versus $2,352 in Mexico City.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,469 in Redding, CA versus $3,222 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Redding, CA is roughly 67% more expensive than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Redding, CA86% above, Mexico City11% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.11$18.11
$13.16MX$229
37.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.9$60.9
$53.6MX$932
13.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.22$12.22
$9.55MX$166
27.96%
Cappuccino
$5.02$5.02
$3.72MX$64.8
34.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43$2.43
$1.57MX$27.28
54.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18$2.18
$1.16MX$20.12
87.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.36$5.36
$3.18MX$55.4
68.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.93$4.93
$4.63MX$80.6
6.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31$1.31
$1.71MX$29.67
-23.39%
White Bread(500g)
$5.03$5.03
$2.62MX$45.54
91.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.16$4.16
$1.89MX$32.87
120.11%
Eggs
$4.03$4.03
$2.60MX$45.17
55.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.35$12.35
$9.91MX$172
24.62%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.62$14.62
$8.22MX$143
77.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.78$16.78
$11.78MX$205
42.44%
Apples(1kg)
$5.90$5.90
$3.00MX$52.1
96.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62$1.62
$1.80MX$31.32
-10.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.59$3.59
$2.07MX$36.08
73.43%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.34$5.34
$1.97MX$34.23
171.07%
Potato(1kg)
$4.42$4.42
$2.07MX$36.05
113.53%
Onion(1kg)
$3.50$3.50
$2.17MX$37.84
61.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.11$2.11
$1.40MX$24.41
50.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.67$1.67
$1.07MX$18.70
56.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.20$10.20
$4.12MX$71.7
147.57%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.41$10.41
$17.42MX$303
-40.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39$1.39
$1.68MX$29.16
-17.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29$3.29
$3.65MX$63.5
-9.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.46$1.46
$0.38MX$6.62
284.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$49.91$49.91
$18.71MX$326
166.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.98$2.98
$1.33MX$23.13
124.06%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.34$2.34
$0.30MX$5.27
680.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$40.12$40.12
$5.51MX$95.9
628.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29$1.29
$1.31MX$22.72
-1.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6K$23.6K
$19.2KMX$333.5K
22.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3K$26.3K
$23.7KMX$413.3K
10.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$277$277
$41.14MX$716
574.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$52.1$52.1
$27.74MX$483
87.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.6$72.6
$30.13MX$524
141.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.3$56.3
$53.7MX$935
4.82%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$25.98MX$452
-
Cinema Ticket
$9.14$9.14
$6.49MX$113
40.83%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,710$2,710
$437MX$7,598
520.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$37.6K$37.6K
$10.5KMX$182.0K
259.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.3$63.3
$58.3MX$1,015
8.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.94$32.94
$45.86MX$798
-28.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.0$84.0
$101MX$1,765
-17.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126$126
$107MX$1,854
18.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,323$1,323
$1,005MX$17.5K
31.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,061$1,061
$634MX$11.0K
67.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,819$1,819
$2,148MX$37.4K
-15.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,602$1,602
$1,247MX$21.7K
28.48%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,698$2,698
$3,859MX$67.2K
-30.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,693$2,693
$2,085MX$36.3K
29.17%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Redding, CA
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,541$3,541
$1,072MX$18.7K
230.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
11.34
-42.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Redding, CA: July 20, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: July 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,323 in Redding, CA and $1,005 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Redding, CA 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: $61.0 in Redding, CA vs $54.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $420 vs $291 per month, with Mexico City 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
Redding, CA vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Redding, CA and in Mexico City?
Redding, CA and Mexico City differ by about 67% in total monthly costs ($2,479 vs $1,481 including rent). Mexico City is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Redding, CA or Mexico City?
Average pay runs 230% higher in Redding, CA, 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 Redding, CA and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,323 in Redding, CA versus $1,005 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Redding, CA and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Mexico City runs roughly 167% less than in Redding, CA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Redding, CA and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $2,710 in Redding, CA versus $437 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 $1,481 in Mexico City versus $2,479 in Redding, CA, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mexico City but tight or insufficient in Redding, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Mexico City the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Redding, CA 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: Redding, CA or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Mexico City gentler on the wallet – expenses run 67% less than in Redding, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Redding, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared