Oaxaca City vs Mexico City
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Oaxaca City or Mexico City, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Oaxaca City is 25% cheaper than Mexico City
Monthly savings
$475
Mexico
Oaxaca City
$1,428
$24,990
Cheaper option
Mexico
Mexico City
$1,903
$33,303
Category Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
Utilities
Groceries
Dining Out
Transportation
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Healthcare
Phone & Subscriptions
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment, basic health insurance.
City Insights
Oaxaca City
Oaxaca delivers possibly the best food-to-cost ratio in Mexico—tlayudas for $4-6, tacos de tasajo at Central de Abastos for just $0.17 each. Mezcal runs $8-15/bottle vs $60+ in the US. The valley climate at 5,080ft means no AC needed—utility bills stay minimal year-round. The rental market is two-tiered: English listings charge 30-100% premiums over Spanish sources. Average rent citywide is $890, but smart seekers using Inmuebles24 pay far less. CRITICAL: Severe water crisis—public authority supplies only 33% of capacity. Some neighborhoods get municipal water only once every 42 days; budget for pipa delivery (800-1,000 pesos/10,000L). Uber does NOT operate here (taxi unions blocked it). DiDi works with limitations. Rising popularity pushes Centro rents up, but Xochimilco and outer Reforma offer 20-40% savings.
Mexico City
CDMX offers incredible value for a world-class metropolis. The range is enormous—you can spend like you're in NYC or live comfortably on $1,200-1,500/month. Neighborhood choice matters more here than anywhere else in Mexico. The 'gringo premium' is real but manageable: English-language rental platforms run 10-30% higher than Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 or Segundamano. The temperate climate at 7,350ft means minimal utility costs—no AC or heating needed. Tap water is NOT drinkable; budget $15-20/month for garrafones. The metro at 5 pesos ($0.29) per ride is one of the world's great transportation bargains.
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These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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