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Mexico City vs Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 15% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 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
drone photo of Istanbul panorama
Istanbul
$1,416/month · Türkiye
Hunanuk · CC0
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Istanbul monthly
$1,416
Index 22 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-15%
Istanbul relative to Mexico City
Rent gap
$200
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

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

MetricMexico CityIstanbul
Cost
Total monthly cost1,666 USD1,416 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2622✓
Housing900 USD700 USD✓
Utilities70 USD✓112 USD
Food456 USD384 USD✓
Transport44 USD✓67 USD
Healthcare23 USD16 USD✓
Lifestyle117 USD84 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,823 USD✓4,269 USD
Effective tax + social rate30.1%✓48.8%
Left over each month4,156 USD✓2,853 USD
Average local net salary750 USD800 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety42/10054/100✓
Healthcare66/10066/100
Air quality34/10042/100✓
Public transport68/10076/100✓
Walkability74/100✓70/100
English proficiency44/100✓42/100
Nightlife92/100✓84/100
Family friendliness64/10066/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature17°C15°C✓
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low7°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓2,350 h
Annual rainfall850 mm840 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby30 min✓
CurrencyMXNTRY
Time zoneAmerica/Mexico_CityEurope/Istanbul

Istanbul runs about 15% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Mexico City or Istanbul cheaper?

Istanbul runs about 15% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 250 USD a month.

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

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

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

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