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Istanbul vs Mexico City

Istanbul runs about 18% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 USD a month.

drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
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
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+18%
Mexico City relative to Istanbul
Rent gap
$200
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

IstanbulMexico City
  • Housing
    Housing: Istanbul $700, Mexico City $900. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Food
    Food: Istanbul $384, Mexico City $456. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Transport
    Transport: Istanbul $67, Mexico City $44. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Istanbul $112, Mexico City $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Istanbul $16, Mexico City $23. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Istanbul $84, Mexico City $117. Cheaper in Istanbul.
  • Other
    Other: Istanbul $53, Mexico City $57. Cheaper in Istanbul.
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

MetricIstanbulMexico City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,416 USD✓1,666 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)22✓26
Housing700 USD✓900 USD
Utilities112 USD70 USD✓
Food384 USD✓456 USD
Transport67 USD44 USD✓
Healthcare16 USD✓23 USD
Lifestyle84 USD✓117 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,269 USD5,823 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate48.8%30.1%✓
Left over each month2,853 USD4,156 USD✓
Average local net salary800 USD✓750 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD✓900 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety54/100✓42/100
Healthcare66/10066/100
Air quality42/100✓34/100
Public transport76/100✓68/100
Walkability70/10074/100✓
English proficiency42/10044/100✓
Nightlife84/10092/100✓
Family friendliness66/100✓64/100
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓17°C
Summer high29°C26°C✓
Winter low3°C7°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,350 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall840 mm✓850 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access30 min✓None nearby
CurrencyTRYMXN
Time zoneEurope/IstanbulAmerica/Mexico_City

Istanbul runs about 18% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Istanbul or Mexico City cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 18% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Mexico City compared with Istanbul?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,269 a month in Istanbul and $5,823 in Mexico City, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Istanbul or Mexico City?

Istanbul scores 54/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; Mexico City scores 42 and 66. Istanbul averages 15°C against 17°C in Mexico City.