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Buenos Aires vs Mexico City

Buenos Aires runs about 34% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

point of access
Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Aerial view taken with drone of the Estadio Olímpico Universitario, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City, Mexico.
Mexico City
$1,666/month · Mexico
Own work · CC BY-SA 4.0
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+34%
Mexico City relative to Buenos Aires
Rent gap
$350
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Buenos AiresMexico City
  • Housing
    Housing: Buenos Aires $550, Mexico City $900. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: Buenos Aires $382, Mexico City $456. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Transport
    Transport: Buenos Aires $56, Mexico City $44. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Buenos Aires $81, Mexico City $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Buenos Aires $19, Mexico City $23. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Buenos Aires $101, Mexico City $117. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Buenos Aires $51, Mexico City $57. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBuenos AiresMexico City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,240 USD✓1,666 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)19✓26
Housing550 USD✓900 USD
Utilities81 USD70 USD✓
Food382 USD✓456 USD
Transport56 USD44 USD✓
Healthcare19 USD✓23 USD
Lifestyle101 USD✓117 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,676 USD5,823 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate43.9%30.1%✓
Left over each month3,436 USD4,156 USD✓
Average local net salary600 USD750 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre550 USD✓900 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,100 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,200 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety48/100✓42/100
Healthcare72/100✓66/100
Air quality52/100✓34/100
Public transport74/100✓68/100
Walkability84/100✓74/100
English proficiency44/10044/100
Nightlife94/100✓92/100
Family friendliness70/100✓64/100
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature18°C17°C✓
Summer high29°C26°C✓
Winter low8°C✓7°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,500 h
Annual rainfall1200 mm850 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access45 min✓None nearby
CurrencyARSMXN
Time zoneAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_AiresAmerica/Mexico_City

Buenos Aires runs about 34% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Buenos AiresCost of living in Mexico CityConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Buenos Aires or Mexico City cheaper?

Buenos Aires runs about 34% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Mexico City compared with Buenos Aires?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,676 a month in Buenos Aires and $5,823 in Mexico City, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Buenos Aires or Mexico City?

Buenos Aires scores 48/100 on safety and 72/100 on healthcare; Mexico City scores 42 and 66. Buenos Aires averages 18°C against 17°C in Mexico City.