Mexico City vs San Diego Cost of Living

Mexico City (Mexico) · Overall index 37.8San Diego (United States) · Overall index 80.0

Summary

  • Overall, San Diego is 112% more expensive than Mexico City.
  • Rent in San Diego is 194% more expensive than in Mexico City.
  • Transport in San Diego is 130% more expensive than in Mexico City.
ItemMexico CitySan DiegoDiff
Rent+194%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$924$2,906+215%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$635$1,560+146%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,690$5,348+216%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,185$3,541+199%
Groceries+90%
Milk (1L)$0.68$1.29+90%
White bread (500g)$1.82$3.77+107%
Rice (1kg)$2.56$4.26+66%
Eggs (12)$2.37$4.41+86%
Local cheese (1kg)$7.11$14.8+108%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$5.9$12.7+115%
Beef round (1kg)$9.82$19.1+95%
Apples (1kg)$2.54$5.14+102%
Bananas (1kg)$1.15$1.82+58%
Oranges (1kg)$2.12$3.98+88%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.73$5.15+89%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.52$3.07+102%
Onions (1kg)$1.5$2.92+95%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.36$2.36+74%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.33$2.61+96%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$8.57$15.1+76%
Transport+130%
Public transport, one-way ticket$1.01$2.68+165%
Public transport, monthly pass$47.9$122+155%
Taxi, base fare$1.65$3.68+123%
Taxi, per km$0.9$1.86+107%
Gasoline (1L)$0.39$0.87+123%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$12,089$26,442+119%
Dining out+115%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$10.6$22.6+113%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$47.4$107+126%
Fast food combo meal$4.77$11.9+149%
Cappuccino$2.1$5.18+147%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.12$2.16+93%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.03$5.99+98%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.88$7.37+90%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.89$1.87+110%
Telecom+55%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$37.9$63.4+67%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$33.6$55.3+65%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.21$0.31+48%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$9.43$13.3+41%
Utilities & household+95%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$86.4$153+77%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.12$0.2+67%
Tap water (1m³)$2.23$4.02+80%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.69$1.46+112%
Waste collection (monthly)$10.5$20.8+98%
Fitness club (monthly)$38.6$79.6+106%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$6.92$15.3+121%
Men's haircut$15.5$27.1+75%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$11.8$26.6+125%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,062$2,070+95%

2,970 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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