Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Mexico City vs Oaxaca
Mexico City vs Oaxaca cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico City
๐ฒ๐ฝ OaxacaOaxaca is 34% cheaper than Mexico City
Living on $3,238 a month in Mexico City feels like about $1,898 in Oaxaca โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$167 vs $122
Per month
$3,238 vs $1,898
Local meal
MX$ 150 vs MX$ 93
$8.06 vs $5
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 78 vs MX$ 93
$4.19 vs $5
At a glance
FoodOaxaca 37% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksOaxaca 26% cheaper
TransportMexico City 23% cheaper
StayOaxaca 38% cheaper
FunMexico City 13% cheaper
- Where Oaxaca is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (48%โ), Street food (38%โ), Local meal (38%โ)
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (37%โ), Taxi (16%โ), SIM card (16%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Mexico City | Oaxaca | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 150$8.06 | MX$ 93$5 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 68$3.66 | MX$ 42$2.26 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 450$24.2 | MX$ 300$16.1 | Oaxaca โ33% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 65$3.49 | MX$ 46$2.47 | Oaxaca โ29% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 60$3.23 | MX$ 46$2.47 | Oaxaca โ23% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 120$6.45 | Oaxaca โ25% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 15$0.81 | MX$ 11$0.59 | Oaxaca โ27% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 38$2.04 | MX$ 28$1.51 | Oaxaca โ26% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 78$4.19 | MX$ 93$5 | Mexico City โ16% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 66$3.55 | MX$ 74$3.98 | Mexico City โ11% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 6$0.32 | MX$ 10$0.51 | Mexico City โ37% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 410$22 | MX$ 470$25.3 | Mexico City โ13% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | MX$ 1,300$69.9 | Oaxaca โ28% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 18,000$968 | MX$ 9,300$500 | Oaxaca โ48% |
| Laundry | MX$ 33$1.77 | MX$ 37$1.99 | Mexico City โ11% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Mexico City โ16% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 170$9.14 | MX$ 200$10.8 | Mexico City โ15% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 490$26.3 | MX$ 560$30.1 | Mexico City โ12% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 660$35.5 | MX$ 740$39.8 | Mexico City โ11% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 160$8.6 | MX$ 190$10.2 | Mexico City โ16% |
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, Mexico City or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca is 34% cheaper than Mexico City. Daily budget $167 vs $122; a month $3,238 vs $1,898.
How do monthly costs compare between Mexico City and Oaxaca?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Mexico City is about $3,238 and Oaxaca about $1,898 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.