Skyline of Mexico City
Cost of Living: 85.3 9,209,944

Mexico City, Mexico

The vibrant capital of Mexico with world-class museums, historic neighborhoods, and a thriving cultural scene.

Updated October 4, 2026

Overview

Mexico City is a city in Ciudad de México with a population of 9,209,944. The vibrant capital of Mexico with world-class museums, historic neighborhoods, and a thriving cultural scene. Housing costs are close to the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively high.

Last updated: October 04, 2026

Cost of Living 85.3

Below Average vs Mexico Avg (100)

Housing Index 90.5

Affordable

Median Income Mex$216,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.8%

Job market health

Mexico City vs Mexico Average

Cost of Living
Mexico City: 85.3
Mexico Avg: 100
Housing Index
Mexico City: 90.5
Mexico Avg: 100
State Income Tax
Mexico City: 8%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 16.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Mex$216,000
  • Unemployment: 4.8%
  • Population: 9,209,944

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 79°F
  • Winter Low: 42°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 60 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: Mex$2,800,000
  • 1BR Rent: Mex$12000/mo

Not sure this is the right city?

Take our 2-minute quiz to discover the best cities for your lifestyle and budget.

Take the Quiz

Cost of Living

Mexico City's cost of living index is 85.3 (Mexico average = 100).

CategoryMexico CityNational AverageDifference
Overall85.3100-14.7%
Housing90.5100-9.5%

Data source: INEGI, BBVA Research, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceMex$2,800,000
Median Rent (1BR)Mex$12000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Mex$15,000/mo
Price per Sq FtMex$1,866

Data source: Propiedades.com, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Mex$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Mex$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in Mexico City:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityMex$800
Heating & CoolingMex$22Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterMex$300Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Mex$450Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesMex$1572Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CFE, CONAGUA, IFT 2025

Remote Work Score

Mexico City scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 85.3
Rent
— Mex$12000
Sunny Days
— 230
Tax
— 8%
Unemployment
— 4.8%
Climate
— 79°F / 42°F
Safety
— 23.3 homicides/100k
Population
— 9,209,944
Internet Speed
— 60 Mbps

Climate

Mexico City has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January62°F42°F2.5"
April64°F57°F2.8"
July79°F54°F1.5"
October59°F60°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

Mexico City faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in a seismic zone with devastating historical earthquakes.

Flood High Risk

Urban flooding during rainy season.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat.

Tsunami High Risk

Pacific coast vulnerable to tsunamis.

Hurricane High Risk

Significant hurricane risk.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfires in dry season.

Drought High Risk

Northern and central Mexico experience frequent droughts.

Volcano Moderate Risk

Nearby active volcanoes including Popocatépetl.

Landslide Moderate Risk

Hilly terrain with landslide risk.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in northern desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 16%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.8%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in Mexico City per 100,000 residents:

650.0
Violent Crime
800.0
Property Crime
23.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year August to July
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-July)
Summer Break July to August (6 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (3 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks)

Many schools operate in morning or afternoon shifts due to high demand.

Universities & Higher Education

1
Universities
#1938
Top University Rank

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of Mexico City is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Afro-Mexican
2.0%
Indigenous language speaker
1.4%
Other
96.6%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
60.9%
High school graduate
19.8%
Less than high school
17.1%
Some college
2.2%

Religion

No religion
16.0%
Religious
84.0%

Ethnicity data is based on indigenous language speakers and Afro-Mexican self-identification from the 2020 Mexican census (INEGI). Mexico does not collect race/ethnicity in the same way as the US; these serve as the closest available proxies.

Data source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) Censo 2020 (2020)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in Mexico City, Mexico?

The cost of living index in Mexico City is 85.3, which is Lower the Mexico national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in Mexico City?

The median home price in Mexico City is Mex$2,800,000. The housing index is 90.5.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Mexico City is approximately Mex$12000/mo.

Does Mexico City, CMX have income tax?

Mexico City is in CMX, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in Mexico City?

Mexico City enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 79°F, while winter lows can drop to around 42°F.

Relocation Guides

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INEGI, BBVA Research, 2026
  • Housing Data: Propiedades.com, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INEGI Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo, 2025
  • Utilities CFE, CONAGUA, IFT 2025

Data last updated: October 21, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.