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Madrid vs Mexico City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇪🇸 Madrid
🇲🇽 Mexico CityMexico City is 33% cheaper than Madrid
Living on $4,794 a month in Madrid feels like about $3,238 in Mexico City — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$252 vs $167
Per month
$4,794 vs $3,238
Local meal
€ 12 vs MX$ 150
$14 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
€ 10 vs MX$ 78
$11.6 vs $4.19
At a glance
FoodMexico City 35% cheaper
Cafés & drinksMadrid 11% cheaper
TransportMexico City 67% cheaper
StayMexico City 31% cheaper
FunMexico City 41% cheaper
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (82%↓), Taxi (64%↓), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (56%↓)
- Where Madrid is clearly cheaper: Coffee (33%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Madrid | Mexico City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | € 12$14 | MX$ 150$8.06 | Mexico City −42% |
| Street food1 item | € 5.4$6.28 | MX$ 68$3.66 | Mexico City −42% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | € 26$30.2 | MX$ 450$24.2 | Mexico City −20% |
| Coffeeone cup | € 2$2.33 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Madrid −33% |
| Beerone bottle | € 3$3.49 | MX$ 60$3.23 | Mexico City −8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | € 7.8$9.07 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Mexico City −5% |
| Bottled water | € 1.5$1.74 | MX$ 15$0.81 | Mexico City −54% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | € 3.8$4.42 | MX$ 38$2.04 | Mexico City −54% |
| Taxi5 km in town | € 10$11.6 | MX$ 78$4.19 | Mexico City −64% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | € 7$8.14 | MX$ 66$3.55 | Mexico City −56% |
| Transitone ride | € 1.5$1.74 | MX$ 6$0.32 | Mexico City −82% |
| Scooter rentalper day | € 30$34.9 | MX$ 410$22 | Mexico City −37% |
| Hotel night3-star | € 120$140 | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | Mexico City −31% |
| Studio rent (month) | € 1,200$1,395 | MX$ 18,000$968 | Mexico City −31% |
| Laundry | € 3$3.49 | MX$ 33$1.77 | Mexico City −49% |
| SIM card1 week data | € 13$15.1 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Mexico City −43% |
| Haircutcut | € 16$18.6 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Mexico City −51% |
| Massage1 hour | € 47$54.7 | MX$ 490$26.3 | Mexico City −52% |
| Half-day tourper person | € 43$50 | MX$ 660$35.5 | Mexico City −29% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | € 13$15.1 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Mexico City −43% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Madrid or Mexico City?
Mexico City is 33% cheaper than Madrid. Daily budget $252 vs $167; a month $4,794 vs $3,238.
How do monthly costs compare between Madrid and Mexico City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Madrid is about $4,794 and Mexico City about $3,238 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.