Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Zacatecas and New York, NY

For one person, living is cheaper in Zacatecas: $727 a month against $4,906 in New York, NY, rent and utilities included – about $50,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Zacatecas, Mexico
New York, NY, United States
Zacatecas
🇲🇽 Mexico
$727
/mo nomad
New York, NY
🇺🇸 United States
$4,906
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Zacatecas and in New York, NY

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Zacatecas and in New York, NY actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $727 per month in Zacatecas vs $4,906 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Zacatecas $727
  • New York, NY $4,906

A couple spends around $1,155 per month in Zacatecas vs $7,273 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Zacatecas $1,155
  • New York, NY $7,273

A family of three spends $1,584 per month in Zacatecas vs $9,641 in New York, NY, rent included.

  • Zacatecas $1,584
  • New York, NY $9,641

Zacatecas is about 85% cheaper than New York, NY, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Zacatecas sits 46% below the global median, while New York, NY is 263% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.27 MX$117
$26.93 $26.93
-76.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.20 MX$602
$117 $117
-72.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.40 MX$138
$14.60 $14.60
-49.32%
Cappuccino
$2.99 MX$56.0
$6.54 $6.54
-54.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.19 MX$22.35
$3.86 $3.86
-69.17%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 MX$13.22
$2.95 $2.95
-75.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.91 MX$35.65
$8.08 $8.08
-76.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13 MX$77.3
$9.85 $9.85
-58.07%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.35 MX$25.18
$1.31 $1.31
3.05%
White Bread (500g)
$2.17 MX$40.62
$4.97 $4.97
-56.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.56 MX$29.10
$7.70 $7.70
-79.74%
Eggs
$2.25 MX$42.06
$6.09 $6.09
-63.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.21 MX$135
$19.55 $19.55
-63.12%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.79 MX$108
$17.59 $17.59
-67.08%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.22 MX$172
$20.26 $20.26
-54.49%
Apples (1kg)
$1.72 MX$32.11
$6.99 $6.99
-75.39%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 MX$28.93
$2.21 $2.21
-29.86%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.95 MX$36.48
$6.72 $6.72
-70.98%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 MX$26.55
$7.12 $7.12
-80.06%
Potato (1kg)
$1.96 MX$36.61
$4.61 $4.61
-57.48%
Onion (1kg)
$1.84 MX$34.45
$4.78 $4.78
-61.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.51 MX$28.31
$2.87 $2.87
-47.39%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.83 MX$15.46
$2.69 $2.69
-69.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.26 MX$79.7
$19.14 $19.14
-77.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.12 MX$189
$19.63 $19.63
-48.45%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.63 MX$30.55
$3.32 $3.32
-50.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22 MX$60.2
$4.19 $4.19
-23.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.53 MX$9.92
$3.02 $3.02
-82.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.07 MX$301
$139 $139
-88.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.16 MX$40.45
$3.04 $3.04
-28.95%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.07 MX$19.99
$2.20 $2.20
-51.36%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.26 MX$154
$41.33 $41.33
-80.01%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.40 MX$26.22
$1.13 $1.13
23.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1K MX$394.8K
$34.5K $34.5K
-38.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.3K MX$436.2K
$25.8K $25.8K
-9.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$22.56 MX$422
$232 $232
-90.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.01 MX$150
$71.0 $71.0
-88.72%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.40 MX$475
$67.7 $67.7
-62.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.53 MX$459
$115 $115
-78.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.30 MX$155
$76.8 $76.8
-89.19%
Cinema Ticket
$4.24 MX$79.3
$22.41 $22.41
-81.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$240 MX$4,484
$3,606 $3,606
-93.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,249 MX$60.8K
$68.7K $68.7K
-95.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.17 MX$826
$79.3 $79.3
-44.26%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.00 MX$748
$51.4 $51.4
-22.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.1 MX$1,666
$121 $121
-26.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.78 MX$800
$140 $140
-69.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$245 MX$4,587
$4,555 $4,555
-94.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 MX$2,980
$3,040 $3,040
-94.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$380 MX$7,110
$9,742 $9,742
-96.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$247 MX$4,611
$5,331 $5,331
-95.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$18.2K $18.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$571 MX$10.7K
$6,685 $6,685
-91.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Zacatecas
New York, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$398 MX$7,450
$5,096 $5,096
-92.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10.8
6.89
56.75%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Zacatecas: November 2, 2026

Last update for New York, NY: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Zacatecas
$222
New York, NY
$567 156% $346
Accommodation & Living
Zacatecas
$159
New York, NY
$3K 1808% $2.9K
Eating Out
Zacatecas
$134
New York, NY
$425 218% $291
Clothing & Footwear
Zacatecas
$97
New York, NY
$176 81.6% $79
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Zacatecas
$56
New York, NY
$371 563% $315
Sport & Entertainment
Zacatecas
$33
New York, NY
$160 385% $127
Getting Around
Zacatecas
$26
New York, NY
$165 544% $140

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $245 in Zacatecas versus $4,555 in New York, NY. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in New York, NY are about 13 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $32 in Zacatecas versus $117 in New York, NY. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $222 vs $567 – making Zacatecas the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Zacatecas
🇺🇸 New York, NY
🕒 Local time
15:59 3:59 PM
16:59 4:59 PM
1 h ahead of Zacatecas
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
138,444
8,804,190
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 18.7 MXN (100 MXN = 5.35 USD). 1 EUR = 20.9 MXN (100 MXN = 4.78 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.895 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Zacatecas New York, NY 3,310 km ≈ 4 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Zacatecas
  • New York, NY

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Zacatecas vs New York, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Zacatecas or New York, NY?
New York, NY costs about 575% more than Zacatecas, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Zacatecas and in New York, NY?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,090 per month in Zacatecas and $7,358 in New York, NY. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Zacatecas or New York, NY?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Zacatecas, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $245 there versus $4,555 in New York, NY.
How do childcare costs compare in Zacatecas and in New York, NY?
Kindergarten costs $240 per month in Zacatecas and $3,606 in New York, NY. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Zacatecas or in New York, NY?
Groceries cost about 156% more in New York, NY, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Zacatecas or in New York, NY?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Zacatecas, where all-in costs run around $727, than in New York, NY at $4,906. In Zacatecas it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Zacatecas – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Should I move to Zacatecas or to New York, NY?
If budget matters most, go with Zacatecas. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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