🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $787 in Tangerang versus $1,456 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,290 in Tangerang versus $2,361 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,794 in Tangerang versus $3,266 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Tangerang costs roughly 46% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tangerang is 41% below, Mexico City is 9% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$13.07MX$228
-87.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.76Rp 337.1K
$53.8MX$936
-65.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.49Rp 62.7K
$9.68MX$169
-63.95%
Cappuccino
$1.73Rp 31.1K
$3.74MX$65.1
-53.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$1.62MX$28.13
-64.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,642
$1.16MX$20.23
-77.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.73Rp 49.1K
$3.23MX$56.2
-15.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50Rp 63.0K
$4.74MX$82.5
-26.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 21.1K
$1.65MX$28.68
-28.48%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.8K
$2.75MX$47.95
-60.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.94Rp 16.9K
$1.87MX$32.63
-49.73%
Eggs
$1.60Rp 28.7K
$2.50MX$43.54
-36.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.34Rp 167.9K
$10.20MX$178
-8.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12Rp 56.1K
$8.25MX$144
-62.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.69Rp 138.2K
$11.82MX$206
-34.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73Rp 49.1K
$3.01MX$52.4
-9.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$1.81MX$31.54
-19.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.25Rp 40.4K
$2.00MX$34.81
12.50%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.2K
$2.00MX$34.74
-21.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.46Rp 26.3K
$2.08MX$36.30
-29.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.71Rp 48.8K
$2.27MX$39.56
19.38%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05Rp 18.9K
$1.46MX$25.36
-28.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 8,194
$1.08MX$18.74
-57.41%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.83Rp 50.8K
$4.35MX$75.7
-34.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.61Rp 370.4K
$16.99MX$296
21.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32Rp 41.7K
$1.73MX$30.18
34.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17Rp 57.0K
$3.58MX$62.3
-11.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,326
$0.39MX$6.74
-23.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.34Rp 149.9K
$18.69MX$325
-55.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.1K
$1.33MX$23.08
-57.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,252
$0.28MX$4.87
64.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.45Rp 44.0K
$5.25MX$91.5
-53.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84Rp 15.2K
$1.34MX$23.27
-37.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.8KRp 553.7M
$19.4KMX$338.0K
58.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.8KRp 500.0M
$23.8KMX$415.0K
16.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$90.4Rp 1.6M
$40.69MX$709
122.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.55Rp 81.7K
$26.87MX$468
-83.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.52Rp 404.6K
$30.51MX$531
-26.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.44Rp 349.4K
$52.8MX$919
-63.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$11.53Rp 207.3K
$26.65MX$464
-56.74%
Cinema Ticket
$3.15Rp 56.5K
$6.51MX$113
-51.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$103Rp 1.9M
$428MX$7,454
-75.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,952Rp 142.9M
$10.5KMX$182.8K
-24.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.03Rp 755.2K
$57.3MX$997
-26.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.54Rp 548.8K
$45.50MX$792
-32.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$72.3Rp 1.3M
$104MX$1,812
-30.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9Rp 1.4M
$108MX$1,878
-27.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$507Rp 9.1M
$1,003MX$17.5K
-49.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$242Rp 4.3M
$623MX$10.8K
-61.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,073Rp 19.3M
$2,109MX$36.7K
-49.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$647Rp 11.6M
$1,218MX$21.2K
-46.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,328Rp 23.9M
$3,885MX$67.6K
-65.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$498Rp 8.9M
$2,033MX$35.4K
-75.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tangerang
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$274Rp 4.9M
$1,038MX$18.1K
-73.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.59
11.34
-15.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tangerang: July 13, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $507 in Tangerang and $1,003 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 279% 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: $19.00 in Tangerang vs $54.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $217 vs $292 per month, with Tangerang 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
Tangerang vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tangerang and in Mexico City?
Tangerang and Mexico City differ by about 85% in total monthly costs ($787 vs $1,456 including rent). Tangerang 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 279% 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 Tangerang and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $507 in Tangerang versus $1,003 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Tangerang and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Tangerang runs roughly 124% 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 Tangerang and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $103 in Tangerang versus $428 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 $787 in Tangerang versus $1,456 in Mexico City, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Tangerang but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Tangerang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tangerang 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: Tangerang or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Tangerang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 85% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.