San Diego vs Mexico City Cost of Living

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

Summary

  • Overall, Mexico City is 53% cheaper than San Diego.
  • Rent in Mexico City is 66% cheaper than in San Diego.
  • Transport in Mexico City is 57% cheaper than in San Diego.
ItemSan DiegoMexico CityDiff
Rent-66%
1-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$2,906$924-68%
1-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$1,560$635-59%
3-bedroom apartment, city centre (monthly)$5,348$1,690-68%
3-bedroom apartment, outside centre (monthly)$3,541$1,185-67%
Groceries-47%
Milk (1L)$1.29$0.68-47%
White bread (500g)$3.77$1.82-52%
Rice (1kg)$4.26$2.56-40%
Eggs (12)$4.41$2.37-46%
Local cheese (1kg)$14.8$7.11-52%
Chicken fillets (1kg)$12.7$5.9-54%
Beef round (1kg)$19.1$9.82-49%
Apples (1kg)$5.14$2.54-51%
Bananas (1kg)$1.82$1.15-37%
Oranges (1kg)$3.98$2.12-47%
Tomatoes (1kg)$5.15$2.73-47%
Potatoes (1kg)$3.07$1.52-50%
Onions (1kg)$2.92$1.5-49%
Lettuce (1 head)$2.36$1.36-42%
Water (1.5L bottle)$2.61$1.33-49%
Bottle of wine (mid-range)$15.1$8.57-43%
Transport-57%
Public transport, one-way ticket$2.68$1.01-62%
Public transport, monthly pass$122$47.9-61%
Taxi, base fare$3.68$1.65-55%
Taxi, per km$1.86$0.9-52%
Gasoline (1L)$0.87$0.39-55%
New compact car (e.g., VW Golf)$26,442$12,089-54%
Dining out-53%
Meal, inexpensive restaurant$22.6$10.6-53%
Meal for 2, mid-range restaurant (3 courses)$107$47.4-56%
Fast food combo meal$11.9$4.77-60%
Cappuccino$5.18$2.1-59%
Coke/Pepsi (0.33L, restaurant)$2.16$1.12-48%
Domestic beer (0.5L, restaurant)$5.99$3.03-49%
Imported beer (0.33L, restaurant)$7.37$3.88-47%
Water (0.33L, restaurant)$1.87$0.89-52%
Telecom-35%
Mobile plan, calls + 10GB+ data (monthly)$63.4$37.9-40%
Broadband internet 60Mbps+ (monthly)$55.3$33.6-39%
Prepaid mobile tariff (1 min)$0.31$0.21-32%
Video streaming subscription (monthly)$13.3$9.43-29%
Utilities & household-49%
Basic utilities, 85m² apartment (monthly)$153$86.4-44%
Electricity (1 kWh)$0.2$0.12-40%
Tap water (1m³)$4.02$2.23-45%
Natural gas (1m³)$1.46$0.69-53%
Waste collection (monthly)$20.8$10.5-50%
Fitness club (monthly)$79.6$38.6-52%
Cinema ticket (1 seat)$15.3$6.92-55%
Men's haircut$27.1$15.5-43%
Domestic cleaning (1 hour)$26.6$11.8-56%
Private kindergarten (monthly)$2,070$1,062-49%

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

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