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Mexico City vs Santiago

Mexico City and Santiago cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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
Doppeleinheit Bauart X’Trapolis Modular auf dem Gleis 6. Die von Alstom gelieferten Triebwagen basieren auf den S-Bahn-Triebwagen des Typs Civia von CAF. Die Wagen sind auf eine Bahnsteighöhe auf Wage
Santiago
$1,648/month · Chile
Falk2 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Santiago monthly
$1,648
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-1%
Santiago relative to Mexico City
Rent gap
$200
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Mexico CitySantiago
  • Housing
    Housing: Mexico City $900, Santiago $700. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Food
    Food: Mexico City $456, Santiago $548. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Transport
    Transport: Mexico City $44, Santiago $58. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Mexico City $70, Santiago $111. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Mexico City $23, Santiago $22. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Mexico City $117, Santiago $139. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Other
    Other: Mexico City $57, Santiago $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
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 CitySantiago
Cost
Total monthly cost1,666 USD1,648 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2626✓
Housing900 USD700 USD✓
Utilities70 USD✓111 USD
Food456 USD✓548 USD
Transport44 USD✓58 USD
Healthcare23 USD22 USD✓
Lifestyle117 USD✓139 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,823 USD6,204 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate30.1%25.5%✓
Left over each month4,156 USD4,556 USD✓
Average local net salary750 USD950 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD700 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD2,800 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10054/100✓
Healthcare66/10072/100✓
Air quality34/100✓32/100
Public transport68/10078/100✓
Walkability74/100✓72/100
English proficiency44/100✓34/100
Nightlife92/100✓74/100
Family friendliness64/10072/100✓
Median broadband90 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C15°C✓
Summer high26°C✓29°C
Winter low7°C✓3°C
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h2,600 h✓
Annual rainfall850 mm310 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearby100 min✓
CurrencyMXNCLP
Time zoneAmerica/Mexico_CityAmerica/Santiago

Mexico City and Santiago cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Mexico City or Santiago cheaper?

Mexico City and Santiago cost within a few percent of each other for this household — decide on everything except money.

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

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,823 a month in Mexico City and $6,204 in Santiago, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

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

Mexico City scores 42/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; Santiago scores 54 and 72. Mexico City averages 17°C against 15°C in Santiago.