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Mexico City vs Tokyo cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇯🇵 TokyoMexico City is 17% cheaper than Tokyo
Living on $3,238 a month in Mexico City feels like about $3,667 in Tokyo — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$167 vs $201
Per month
$3,238 vs $3,667
Local meal
MX$ 150 vs ¥ 1,000
$8.06 vs $6.76
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 78 vs ¥ 2,500
$4.19 vs $16.9
At a glance
FoodTokyo 12% cheaper
Cafés & drinksMexico City 16% cheaper
TransportMexico City 73% cheaper
Staysimilar
FunMexico City 46% cheaper
- Where Tokyo is clearly cheaper: Street food (17%↓), Local meal (16%↓)
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (77%↓), Taxi (75%↓), Tuk-tuk / moto taxi (65%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Mexico City | Tokyo | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 150$8.06 | ¥ 1,000$6.76 | Tokyo −16% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 68$3.66 | ¥ 450$3.04 | Tokyo −17% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 450$24.2 | ¥ 3,500$23.6 | similar |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 65$3.49 | ¥ 550$3.72 | Mexico City −6% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 60$3.23 | ¥ 600$4.05 | Mexico City −20% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 160$8.6 | ¥ 1,600$10.8 | Mexico City −20% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 15$0.81 | ¥ 120$0.81 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 38$2.04 | ¥ 300$2.03 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 78$4.19 | ¥ 2,500$16.9 | Mexico City −75% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 66$3.55 | ¥ 1,500$10.1 | Mexico City −65% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 6$0.32 | ¥ 210$1.42 | Mexico City −77% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 410$22 | ¥ 4,400$29.7 | Mexico City −26% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | ¥ 15,000$101 | similar |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 18,000$968 | ¥ 150,000$1,014 | similar |
| Laundry | MX$ 33$1.77 | ¥ 740$5 | Mexico City −65% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 160$8.6 | ¥ 3,000$20.3 | Mexico City −58% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 170$9.14 | ¥ 3,100$20.9 | Mexico City −56% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 490$26.3 | ¥ 8,900$60.1 | Mexico City −56% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 660$35.5 | ¥ 10,000$67.6 | Mexico City −47% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 160$8.6 | ¥ 1,800$12.2 | Mexico City −29% |
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 Tokyo?
Mexico City is 17% cheaper than Tokyo. Daily budget $167 vs $201; a month $3,238 vs $3,667.
How do monthly costs compare between Mexico City and Tokyo?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Mexico City is about $3,238 and Tokyo about $3,667 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.