Mexico City vs Montgomery
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Mexico City
Montgomery
The Verdict
Living in Mexico City costs 49.4% less than Montgomery. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Mexico City, you would need $148,125 in Montgomery.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Mexico City has the same purchasing power as $148,125 in Montgomery.
Conversely, $75,000 in Montgomery equals $37,975 in Mexico City.
Living in Mexico City vs Montgomery
Housing Costs
Mexico City's housing index of 28 is lower Montgomery's 49, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $162,000. The $7,000 difference in home prices means roughly $456 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $575/mo in Mexico City compared to $1,000/mo in Montgomery, a monthly difference of $425.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 42 in Mexico City and 99 in Montgomery. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $200/month in Mexico City vs $470/month in Montgomery. Mexico City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $3240/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 30 in Mexico City and 115 in Montgomery. Monthly utility bills average approximately $120 in Mexico City vs $460 in Montgomery. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 25 in Mexico City and 78 in Montgomery. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 53-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $13,500 in Mexico City and $56,800 in Montgomery. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,750 and $71,899 respectively. Montgomery residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $315/month to housing in Mexico City vs $1,325/month in Montgomery. In Mexico City, median rent of $575/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Montgomery, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases