🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,000 in Yanbu versus $1,447 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,512 in Yanbu versus $2,310 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,023 in Yanbu versus $3,174 in Mexico City.
🙂Living in Yanbu costs roughly 31% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Yanbu is 26% below, Mexico City is 8% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.59SAR 24.73
$12.98MX$223
-49.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.96SAR 142
$52.6MX$903
-27.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.49SAR 24.34
$9.43MX$162
-31.18%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01SAR 7.56
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.59SAR 5.95
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.74SAR 14.05
$3.57MX$61.3
4.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70SAR 2.62
$1.61MX$27.55
-56.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23SAR 0.86
$1.15MX$19.81
-80.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.15MX$54.0
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.86MX$83.4
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.72SAR 6.44
$1.70MX$29.17
1.18%
White Bread(500g)
$0.87SAR 3.28
$2.64MX$45.23
-67.05%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.20SAR 8.24
$1.90MX$32.67
15.79%
Eggs
$2.64SAR 9.90
$2.54MX$43.62
3.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.85SAR 21.96
$10.08MX$173
-41.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.92SAR 29.72
$8.29MX$142
-4.46%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.20SAR 45.78
$11.57MX$199
5.45%
Apples(1kg)
$2.16SAR 8.11
$3.03MX$52.0
-28.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56SAR 5.87
$1.71MX$29.35
-8.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.46SAR 5.46
$2.05MX$35.16
-28.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54SAR 5.80
$2.06MX$35.36
-25.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26SAR 4.71
$2.06MX$35.43
-38.83%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97SAR 3.62
$2.17MX$37.25
-55.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.10SAR 4.12
$1.40MX$24.08
-21.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55SAR 2.08
$1.12MX$19.26
-50.89%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.30SAR 4.87
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32SAR 4.94
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76SAR 6.61
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.24SAR 23.41
$4.29MX$73.7
45.45%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$15.41MX$265
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.67MX$28.74
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.69MX$63.3
-
🚌 Getting Around
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.08SAR 4.05
$0.38MX$6.55
184.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$33.86SAR 127
$19.06MX$327
77.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26SAR 12.23
$1.38MX$23.70
136.23%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.78SAR 2.92
$0.28MX$4.74
178.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.35SAR 57.6
$5.42MX$92.9
183.21%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57SAR 2.14
$1.28MX$21.98
-55.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.9KSAR 97.2K
$19.0KMX$325.8K
36.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.9KSAR 82.0K
$23.5KMX$402.7K
-6.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SAR 398
$41.02MX$704
158.46%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.79SAR 85.5
$26.92MX$462
-15.34%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$68.7SAR 258
$29.69MX$510
131.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.5SAR 366
$52.3MX$898
86.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.04SAR 132
$26.23MX$450
33.59%
Cinema Ticket
$13.12SAR 49.23
$6.18MX$106
112.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$315SAR 1,181
$427MX$7,331
-26.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,765SAR 14.1K
$10.7KMX$183.6K
-64.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.07SAR 86.6
$56.8MX$975
-59.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.91SAR 78.5
$44.83MX$769
-53.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.3SAR 249
$105MX$1,794
-36.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$48.58SAR 182
$106MX$1,819
-54.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$316SAR 1,185
$995MX$17.1K
-68.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$244SAR 914
$621MX$10.7K
-60.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$606SAR 2,274
$2,126MX$36.5K
-71.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$410SAR 1,539
$1,254MX$21.5K
-67.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,903MX$67.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,096MX$36.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Yanbu
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,532SAR 13.3K
$1,107MX$19.0K
218.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.3
11.34
-70.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Yanbu: June 9, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $316 in Yanbu and $995 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Yanbu pays 219% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $38.00 in Yanbu vs $53.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $189 vs $288 per month, with Yanbu 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
Yanbu vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Yanbu and Mexico City?
Yanbu and Mexico City differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($1,000 vs $1,447 including rent). Yanbu is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Yanbu or Mexico City?
Yanbu pays 219% 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 Yanbu and Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $316 in Yanbu 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 Yanbu and Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Yanbu runs roughly 78% 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 Yanbu and Mexico City?
Childcare runs $315 in Yanbu 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 $1,000 per month?
At $1,000 in Yanbu versus $1,447 in Mexico City, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Yanbu but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Yanbu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Yanbu 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 Yanbu or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Yanbu 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: Yanbu or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Yanbu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.