πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $1,447 in Mexico City.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,585 in TamΓ‘si versus $2,310 in Mexico City.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,145 in TamΓ‘si versus $3,174 in Mexico City.
πLiving in TamΓ‘si costs roughly 29% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: TamΓ‘si is 24% below, Mexico City is 8% above.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.67FtΒ 2,365
$12.98MX$227
-40.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89FtΒ 14.2K
$52.6MX$918
-12.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63FtΒ 1,736
$9.43MX$165
-40.30%
Cappuccino
$2.06FtΒ 636
$3.57MX$62.3
-42.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49FtΒ 460
$1.61MX$28.02
-7.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39FtΒ 428
$1.15MX$20.14
20.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27FtΒ 700
$3.15MX$55.0
-27.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12FtΒ 653
$4.86MX$84.8
-56.38%
π Groceries & Markets
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05FtΒ 324
$1.70MX$29.66
-38.24%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60FtΒ 494
$2.64MX$45.99
-39.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$1.90MX$33.22
-37.89%
Eggs
$2.04FtΒ 628
$2.54MX$44.35
-19.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.70FtΒ 2,375
$10.08MX$176
-23.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.65FtΒ 1,744
$8.29MX$145
-31.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26FtΒ 3,473
$11.57MX$202
-2.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37FtΒ 422
$3.03MX$52.8
-54.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41FtΒ 434
$1.71MX$29.85
-17.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75FtΒ 538
$2.05MX$35.76
-14.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77FtΒ 855
$2.06MX$35.95
34.47%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96FtΒ 296
$2.06MX$36.03
-53.40%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 366
$2.17MX$37.87
-45.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43FtΒ 441
$1.40MX$24.49
2.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48FtΒ 148
$1.12MX$19.58
-57.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36FtΒ 1,962
$4.29MX$74.9
48.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16FtΒ 1,284
$15.41MX$269
-73.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92FtΒ 285
$1.67MX$29.23
-44.91%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46FtΒ 450
$3.69MX$64.3
-60.43%
π Getting Around
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$0.38MX$6.66
210.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.37FtΒ 7,823
$19.06MX$333
33.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88FtΒ 887
$1.38MX$24.10
108.70%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29FtΒ 398
$0.28MX$4.82
360.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.46FtΒ 5,385
$5.42MX$94.5
222.14%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68FtΒ 519
$1.28MX$22.35
31.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KFtΒ 8.1M
$19.0KMX$331.3K
38.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KFtΒ 7.8M
$23.5KMX$409.5K
7.66%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105FtΒ 32.3K
$41.02MX$716
155.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.87FtΒ 7,669
$26.92MX$470
-7.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41FtΒ 4,136
$29.69MX$518
-54.83%
π Sport & Entertainment
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.78FtΒ 14.4K
$52.3MX$913
-10.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60FtΒ 5,119
$26.23MX$458
-36.71%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98FtΒ 2,151
$6.18MX$108
12.94%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$223FtΒ 68.7K
$427MX$7,454
-47.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
$10.7KMX$186.7K
-41.95%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9FtΒ 25.6K
$56.8MX$992
45.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76FtΒ 9,177
$44.83MX$782
-33.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5FtΒ 21.4K
$105MX$1,824
-33.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1FtΒ 17.9K
$106MX$1,849
-45.21%
π Accommodation & Living
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451FtΒ 139.0K
$995MX$17.4K
-54.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339FtΒ 104.6K
$621MX$10.8K
-45.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$633FtΒ 195.3K
$2,126MX$37.1K
-70.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539FtΒ 166.3K
$1,254MX$21.9K
-56.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
$3,903MX$68.1K
-14.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,104FtΒ 648.9K
$2,096MX$36.6K
0.42%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
TamΓ‘si
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,251FtΒ 385.6K
$1,107MX$19.3K
12.94%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
11.34
-48.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $451 in TamΓ‘si and $995 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°TamΓ‘si pays 13% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $46.00 in TamΓ‘si vs $53.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $288 per month, with TamΓ‘si 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
TamΓ‘si vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in TamΓ‘si and Mexico City?
TamΓ‘si and Mexico City differ by about 41% in total monthly costs ($1,025 vs $1,447 including rent). TamΓ‘si is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: TamΓ‘si or Mexico City?
TamΓ‘si pays 13% more on average, 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 TamΓ‘si and Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $451 in TamΓ‘si versus $995 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in TamΓ‘si and Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in TamΓ‘si runs roughly 33% 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 TamΓ‘si and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $223 in TamΓ‘si 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 $1,500 per month?
At $1,025 in TamΓ‘si versus $1,447 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in TamΓ‘si but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes TamΓ‘si the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between TamΓ‘si and Mexico City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is TamΓ‘si or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, TamΓ‘si and Mexico City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: TamΓ‘si or Mexico City?
Expats usually find TamΓ‘si gentler on the wallet β expenses run 41% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.