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Mexico City vs Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires runs about 26% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

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
point of access
Buenos Aires
$1,240/month · Argentina
Unknown authorUnknown author · CC BY 2.5 ar
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Buenos Aires monthly
$1,240
Index 19 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-26%
Buenos Aires relative to Mexico City
Rent gap
$350
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Mexico CityBuenos Aires
  • Housing
    Housing: Mexico City $900, Buenos Aires $550. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Food
    Food: Mexico City $456, Buenos Aires $382. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Transport
    Transport: Mexico City $44, Buenos Aires $56. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Mexico City $70, Buenos Aires $81. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Mexico City $23, Buenos Aires $19. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Mexico City $117, Buenos Aires $101. Cheaper in Buenos Aires.
  • Other
    Other: Mexico City $57, Buenos Aires $51. 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

MetricMexico CityBuenos Aires
Cost
Total monthly cost1,666 USD1,240 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2619✓
Housing900 USD550 USD✓
Utilities70 USD✓81 USD
Food456 USD382 USD✓
Transport44 USD✓56 USD
Healthcare23 USD19 USD✓
Lifestyle117 USD101 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,823 USD✓4,676 USD
Effective tax + social rate30.1%✓43.9%
Left over each month4,156 USD✓3,436 USD
Average local net salary750 USD✓600 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD550 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,100 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD2,200 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10048/100✓
Healthcare66/10072/100✓
Air quality34/10052/100✓
Public transport68/10074/100✓
Walkability74/10084/100✓
English proficiency44/10044/100
Nightlife92/10094/100✓
Family friendliness64/10070/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature17°C✓18°C
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low7°C8°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,500 h
Annual rainfall850 mm✓1200 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby45 min✓
CurrencyMXNARS
Time zoneAmerica/Mexico_CityAmerica/Argentina/Buenos_Aires

Buenos Aires runs about 26% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in Mexico CityCost of living in Buenos AiresConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Mexico City or Buenos Aires cheaper?

Buenos Aires runs about 26% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 427 USD a month.

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

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

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

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