Cost of living in Mexico City

Rent is the largest priced line. The one-adult and couple scenarios use the same apartment. The family scenario uses three bedrooms.

Updated October 23, 2026.

The figures combine a June 2026 rent benchmark, a September 2026 supermarket basket and the current telecom offers. They are planning scenarios, not observed household spending. Use the Mexico City guide to decide whether the city fits your work and daily life.^1,2,4,6

Start with the household size that matches your move. Keep your apartment size, number of cell phone lines and travel routine visible.

The model combines Inmuebles24's June 2026 rent index (opens in a new tab), Profeco's September basket (opens in a new tab), Telmex's base package (opens in a new tab), OXXO CEL's base package (opens in a new tab) and the official Metro fare (opens in a new tab). The dated inputs and quantity assumptions below define the subtotal. The CDMX water tariff (opens in a new tab), weekly LPG ceiling (opens in a new tab) and conditional annual insurance fees (opens in a new tab) add the selected reserves.^{1,2,3,4,6,7,9,11,15}

The calculator totals seven priced lines. It keeps electricity and other missing costs outside the subtotal. IMSS admission is an assumption, not a benefit guaranteed to the reader.

The insurance line is a reserve, not a monthly premium. National admission conditions, waiting periods and exclusions appear in the Mexico country guide. The annual cash payment belongs in the arrival plan.^15,16,17

A couple shares rent and the home internet connection. Doubling the single-person total would count both twice. The family also changes apartment size. These choices explain the table more clearly than one multiplier for every household.

Renta

Rent

Mantenimiento

Building maintenance fee

Canasta básica

Basic basket of selected household staples

Recarga

Prepaid cell phone top-up

The June 2026 index (opens in a new tab) prices US$1,172 (MXN 21,921) monthly for two bedrooms and US$1,637 (MXN 30,618) for three bedrooms.

Inmuebles24 reports those June 2026 asking-rent benchmarks for 65 m² and 100 m² apartments. The index draws from portal advertisements and includes nearby municipalities as well as CDMX boroughs. It is not a record of signed leases.¹

The single-person scenario chooses two bedrooms, with the same indexed rent as the couple. Compare areas and unit sizes in the Mexico City rent guide.¹

The asking-rent index does not price a specific apartment's building fee, deposit or lease guarantee. Those charges remain outside the recurring subtotal.¹

The basic basket (opens in a new tab) costs US$46 (MXN 865.60) for a four-person week at the quoted Soriana Híper branch (opens in a new tab).

Profeco observed the quote from September 7 to 11, 2026. The branch is at Avenida Ermita Iztapalapa 1863, Los Ángeles, Iztapalapa, postal code 09830. This is one store observation, not a citywide average.^2,3

For 30 days, the complete basket becomes US$198 (MXN 3,710). The single-person model takes one quarter, US$50 (MXN 927), and the couple takes half, US$99 (MXN 1,855). The calculation spreads the weekly amount across 30 days.^2,3

Proportional shares are a starting assumption. Package sizes, food waste, different diets and the convenience of a nearby shop can change what you actually spend. Keep a separate allowance for groceries beyond the basket. Soap and toilet paper are already included, so do not add them twice.

Restaurants, delivery meals and drinks outside the basket have no allowance in the table. Add your own meal frequency and actual menu prices instead of treating the basic basket as a restaurant budget.

At US$0.27 (MXN 5) per Metro journey (opens in a new tab), 44 boardings cost US$12 (MXN 220) for one adult.

The assumption is two boardings on each of 22 travel days. The couple and the two-adult family each spend US$24 (MXN 440) on that routine. Extra outings and other transport modes need their own allowance.⁷

Choose the actual route between your home and work or school before setting the trip count. The household table does not add children's fares, taxis, cars or airport journeys.

The model pays US$21 (MXN 389) monthly for home internet (opens in a new tab) and US$11 (MXN 200) per adult cell phone package (opens in a new tab).

Telmex's 2026 promotion lists 200 Mbps download and upload for up to six months on Paquete 389. The base speed returns after the promotion. Coverage and technical conditions depend on the address.^4,5

OXXO CEL's base package lasts 30 days and includes 3,000 MB. The model does not depend on Spin bonuses or application rewards. Unused data expires under the base terms, and the model assumes a line linked to its holder and activation confirmation before use.⁶

Use your own work calls, video meetings and data use to decide whether these services are enough. The Mexico country guide covers the national planning context before you choose a city.

The selected scenario adds a water reserve and ten kilograms of LPG. Electricity remains a separate unpriced expense.

Water depends on the block and meter

CDMX domestic metered water uses a bimonthly tariff. The four block classes below receive subsidies against an unsubsidized base. The scenario selects a dedicated domestic meter inside CDMX, up to 15,000 liters per bimonth and the unsubsidized base.¹¹

The selected base is US$36 (MXN 677.86). Assuming this is the sole fiscal charge, Article 38 rounds the payment to US$36 (MXN 678). Dividing by two gives a US$18 (MXN 339) monthly reserve. Adding ten kilograms at the weekly LPG ceiling gives US$29 (MXN 546.30), rounded once to US$29 (MXN 546) for the tool. These are selected quantities, not a bill for an indexed apartment.^9,10,11,12

For example, the Alta tier above 20,000 through 30,000 liters starts at US$22 (MXN 414.49). It adds US$1.78 (MXN 33.38) for each 1,000 liters above 20,000. The tariff does not apply that extra rate to every liter. The actual block and meter readings determine the applicable tariff.¹¹

LPG has a weekly price ceiling

For October 18 to 24, 2026, the maximum LPG price is US$1.11 (MXN 20.73) per kilogram or US$0.60 (MXN 11.20) per liter, including VAT. The same limits apply across the 16 CDMX boroughs. This is a ceiling, not a flat monthly charge.^9,10

The LPG ceiling prices LPG consumption only. A piped natural gas bill needs its own tariff and consumption. The two fuels are not interchangeable in this calculation.

Add electricity from the apartment's bills

Electricity remains outside the subtotal. The apartment's applicable CFE tariff and consumption determine the bill. Appliances and usage need their own allowance.

Get the full amount due before moving in. A recurring rent figure does not tell you how much cash you need to start the lease.

1. 1

   Separate the lease charges

   Deposits, advance rent, building fees, guarantees, legal policies and application charges remain outside the recurring index rent. Refund terms and payment dates depend on the lease.

2. 2

   Separate connection charges

   Telmex and OXXO CEL recurring package prices exclude setup costs, devices and SIM cards. Those items need a separate allowance.

3. 3

   Add your household's other expenses

   Allow the full annual IMSS fee in advance if enrollment is accepted. The monthly reserve does not spread that payment. Private healthcare, school, childcare, furniture and travel remain separate.

4. 4

   Keep immigration costs separate

   Use the official route that matches your circumstances. Do not use a household living subtotal as a residence eligibility threshold.

Sources 4,6,15

Telmex's currently linked Paquete 389 terms list installation at US$86 (MXN 1,600), including taxes. The terms carry version V1-020125 and no separate publication date. This published setup charge remains outside the monthly subtotal. The customer's actual offer determines the installation charge and payment scheme. No waiver is assumed.^13,14

The Mexico residence visa guide explains the application routes. Use it alongside your apartment quote, rather than adding an assumed paperwork fee to every household.

Compare the same household, apartment size and included expenses before comparing the final number.

If São Paulo is another option, read its cost of living guide for its household inputs. The São Paulo and Mexico City comparison covers the wider choice. A smaller apartment or a different grocery basket can matter more than the city label.

For your own comparison, list rent, the full food allowance, utilities, transport, health costs and any school fees. Separate monthly payments from deposits and setup charges. Convert the completed totals at the same dated rate.