🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,168 in Umluj versus $1,660 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,752 in Umluj versus $2,565 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,336 in Umluj versus $3,470 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Umluj costs roughly 30% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Umluj is 15% below, Mexico City is 21% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.71SAR 25.22
$11.92MX$205
-43.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.73SAR 138
$51.6MX$889
-28.82%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.07SAR 30.30
$11.41MX$197
-29.27%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85SAR 6.94
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09SAR 7.87
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.48SAR 13.06
$3.99MX$68.8
-12.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90SAR 3.38
$1.66MX$28.57
-45.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26SAR 0.98
$1.33MX$22.84
-80.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.47MX$59.8
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$5.90MX$102
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67SAR 6.26
$1.88MX$32.31
-11.17%
White Bread(500g)
$1.16SAR 4.34
$3.25MX$56.0
-64.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.16SAR 8.11
$2.16MX$37.21
-
Eggs
$2.39SAR 8.97
$2.90MX$49.87
-17.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.34SAR 27.58
$12.86MX$221
-42.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.99SAR 30.01
$10.05MX$173
-20.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.98SAR 48.77
$15.86MX$273
-18.16%
Apples(1kg)
$2.08SAR 7.82
$3.29MX$56.7
-36.78%
Banana(1kg)
$1.71SAR 6.40
$2.01MX$34.55
-14.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.57SAR 5.89
$2.20MX$37.88
-28.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.63SAR 6.14
$2.36MX$40.57
-30.93%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14SAR 4.28
$2.05MX$35.38
-44.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.30SAR 4.88
$1.90MX$32.75
-31.58%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.14SAR 4.27
$1.61MX$27.64
-29.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55SAR 2.06
$1.40MX$24.05
-60.71%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.87SAR 10.80
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68SAR 6.31
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08SAR 7.81
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.47SAR 24.30
$5.46MX$94.1
18.50%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$17.65MX$304
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.06MX$35.39
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.68MX$80.7
-
🚌 Getting Around
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.05SAR 3.96
$0.34MX$5.83
208.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.76SAR 134
$20.81MX$358
71.84%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.96SAR 11.14
$2.10MX$36.11
40.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.83SAR 6.86
$0.56MX$9.63
226.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.29SAR 49.91
$5.81MX$100
128.74%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.65SAR 2.44
$1.61MX$27.65
-59.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.8KSAR 172.1K
$22.8KMX$393.3K
100.60%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7KSAR 81.5K
$26.8KMX$460.6K
-18.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$98.6SAR 371
$65.2MX$1,122
51.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$32.02SAR 120
$30.09MX$518
6.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.1SAR 256
$37.18MX$640
83.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$84.1SAR 316
$59.8MX$1,029
40.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.21SAR 140
$26.55MX$457
40.15%
Cinema Ticket
$13.07SAR 49.10
$7.04MX$121
85.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$341SAR 1,279
$465MX$8,001
-26.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,614SAR 24.8K
$13.3KMX$228.6K
-50.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.91SAR 187
$75.9MX$1,307
-34.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.3SAR 219
$56.0MX$963
4.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.0SAR 364
$112MX$1,926
-13.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.9SAR 330
$121MX$2,075
-27.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$588SAR 2,210
$1,103MX$19.0K
-46.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$349SAR 1,311
$721MX$12.4K
-51.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$883SAR 3,315
$2,530MX$43.6K
-65.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$553SAR 2,078
$1,293MX$22.3K
-57.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391SAR 8,982
$3,991MX$68.7K
-40.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,395SAR 5,240
$2,090MX$36.0K
-33.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Umluj
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,205SAR 15.8K
$1,037MX$17.9K
305.33%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.47
11.3
-51.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Umluj: September 12, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $588 in Umluj and $1,103 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Umluj pays 305% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $37.00 in Umluj vs $52.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $200 vs $345 per month, with Umluj 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
Umluj vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Umluj and in Mexico City?
Umluj and Mexico City differ by about 42% in total monthly costs ($1,168 vs $1,660 including rent). Umluj is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Umluj or Mexico City?
Average pay runs 305% higher in Umluj, 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 Umluj and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $588 in Umluj versus $1,103 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Umluj and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Umluj runs roughly 72% 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 Umluj and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $341 in Umluj versus $465 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 $1,168 in Umluj versus $1,660 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Umluj but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Umluj the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Umluj 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.
Is Umluj or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Umluj 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: Umluj or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Umluj gentler on the wallet – expenses run 42% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.