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Mexico City vs São Paulo

São Paulo runs about 20% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 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
Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-20%
São Paulo relative to Mexico City
Rent gap
$250
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

Mexico CitySão Paulo
  • Housing
    Housing: Mexico City $900, São Paulo $650. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Food
    Food: Mexico City $456, São Paulo $330. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: Mexico City $44, São Paulo $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Mexico City $70, São Paulo $101. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Mexico City $23, São Paulo $24. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Mexico City $117, São Paulo $105. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Other
    Other: Mexico City $57, São Paulo $50. Cheaper in São Paulo.
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 CitySão Paulo
Cost
Total monthly cost1,666 USD1,331 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2621✓
Housing900 USD650 USD✓
Utilities70 USD✓101 USD
Food456 USD330 USD✓
Transport44 USD✓70 USD
Healthcare23 USD✓24 USD
Lifestyle117 USD105 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,823 USD6,041 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate30.1%27.5%✓
Left over each month4,156 USD4,710 USD✓
Average local net salary750 USD✓700 USD
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre900 USD650 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,800 USD1,400 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre3,200 USD2,600 USD✓
Quality of life
Safety42/10042/100
Healthcare66/10072/100✓
Air quality34/10044/100✓
Public transport68/100✓66/100
Walkability74/100✓72/100
English proficiency44/100✓32/100
Nightlife92/10092/100
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband90 Mbps190 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature17°C✓20°C
Summer high26°C✓28°C
Winter low7°C12°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,500 h✓1,900 h
Annual rainfall850 mm✓1450 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach accessNone nearby70 min✓
CurrencyMXNBRL
Time zoneAmerica/Mexico_CityAmerica/Sao_Paulo

São Paulo runs about 20% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 USD a month.

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Go deeper

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

Frequently asked

Is Mexico City or São Paulo cheaper?

São Paulo runs about 20% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 USD a month.

What salary do you need in São Paulo compared with Mexico City?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,823 a month in Mexico City and $6,041 in São Paulo, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Mexico City or São Paulo?

Mexico City scores 42/100 on safety and 66/100 on healthcare; São Paulo scores 42 and 72. Mexico City averages 17°C against 20°C in São Paulo.