Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Mexico City is roughly 7% more affordable than Rio de Janeiro (index 24 vs 26, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Mexico City
More affordable overall
7% cheaper than Rio de Janeiro · Cost index: 24 vs 26

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

24✓Cost Index26
1,695✓Median Income /mo725
55✓Safety Index30
17✓Income Tax %27.5
67Internet (Mbps)121✓
170✓Coworking /mo270

Price Breakdown

Mexico CityCategoryRio de Janeiro
$1,149/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
21% ← cheaper
$910/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
15% cheaper →
$1.3/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
42% ← cheaper
$7/meal
$28/month
Monthly Transit Pass
51% cheaper →
$57/month
$69/month
Utilities (Monthly)
43% cheaper →
$121/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
8% cheaper →
$65/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Mexico City

Internet67 Mbps
Coworking$170/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability72/100

Rio de Janeiro

Internet121 Mbps
Coworking$270/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishlow
Communitygrowing
Walkability65/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mexico City cheaper than Rio de Janeiro?

Mexico City is cheaper than Rio de Janeiro. Mexico City has a cost of living index of 24/100 compared to 26/100 for Rio de Janeiro (New York = 100), making it roughly 7% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Mexico City than Rio de Janeiro?

Mexico City is approximately 7% cheaper than Rio de Janeiro based on cost index scores (24 vs 26, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Rio de Janeiro could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,804/month in Mexico City.

What is the rent comparison between Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro?

In Mexico City, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,149/month. In Rio de Janeiro, the equivalent is around $910/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Mexico City or Rio de Janeiro?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Mexico City offers 67 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$170/month. Rio de Janeiro offers 121 Mbps and coworking at ~$270/month. Mexico City has a cost advantage of 7%.

What is the average income in Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro?

The median net monthly salary in Mexico City is approximately $1,695 USD, compared to $725 USD in Rio de Janeiro.

Compare Mexico City with…

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