Monterrey vs San Diego Cost of Living

Monterrey (Mexico) · Overall index 36.0San Diego (United States) · Overall index 80.0

Summary

  • Overall, San Diego is 122% more expensive than Monterrey.
  • Rent in San Diego is 173% more expensive than in Monterrey.
  • Transport in San Diego is 155% more expensive than in Monterrey.
ItemMonterreySan DiegoDiff
Rent+173%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$996$2,906+192%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$672$1,560+132%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$1,842$5,348+190%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,271$3,541+179%
Groceries+106%
Milk (1L)$0.62$1.29+108%
White bread (500g)$1.65$3.77+128%
Rice (1kg)$2.43$4.26+75%
Eggs (12)$2.16$4.41+104%
Local cheese (1kg)$6.61$14.8+124%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$6.5$12.7+95%
Beef round (1kg)$8$19.1+139%
Apples (1kg)$2.52$5.14+104%
Bananas (1kg)$1.02$1.82+78%
Oranges (1kg)$2.33$3.98+71%
Tomatoes (1kg)$2.57$5.15+100%
Potatoes (1kg)$1.48$3.07+107%
Onions (1kg)$1.29$2.92+126%
Lettuce (1 head)$1.09$2.36+117%
Water (1.5L bottle)$1.07$2.61+144%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$7.82$15.1+93%
Transport+155%
Public transport, one-way ticket$0.93$2.68+188%
Public transport, monthly pass$41.5$122+194%
Taxi, base fare$1.61$3.68+129%
Taxi, per km$0.79$1.86+135%
Gasoline (1L)$0.33$0.87+164%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$11,395$26,442+132%
Dining out+124%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$8.91$22.6+154%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$49.6$107+116%
Fast food combo meal$4.73$11.9+152%
Cappuccino$2.09$5.18+148%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$1.07$2.16+102%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$3.14$5.99+91%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$3.46$7.37+113%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$0.84$1.87+123%
Telecom+70%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$29.2$63.4+117%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$37.2$55.3+49%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.19$0.31+63%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$8.31$13.3+60%
Utilities & household+109%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$77.5$153+97%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.1$0.2+100%
Tap water (1m³)$2.03$4.02+98%
Natural gas (1m³)$0.72$1.46+103%
Waste collection (monthly)$10.6$20.8+96%
Fitness club (monthly)$33.4$79.6+138%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$6.95$15.3+120%
Men's haircut$13.7$27.1+98%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$11.2$26.6+138%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$1,016$2,070+104%

3,115 total data points · Price data as of 2026-07-01 · Exchange rates as of 2026-07-15

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