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Santiago vs Mexico City

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

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
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
Santiago monthly
$1,648
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+1%
Mexico City relative to Santiago
Rent gap
$200
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

SantiagoMexico City
  • Housing
    Housing: Santiago $700, Mexico City $900. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Food
    Food: Santiago $548, Mexico City $456. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Transport
    Transport: Santiago $58, Mexico City $44. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Santiago $111, Mexico City $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Santiago $22, Mexico City $23. Cheaper in Santiago.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Santiago $139, Mexico City $117. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Other
    Other: Santiago $70, Mexico City $57. 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

MetricSantiagoMexico City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,648 USD✓1,666 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)26✓26
Housing700 USD✓900 USD
Utilities111 USD70 USD✓
Food548 USD456 USD✓
Transport58 USD44 USD✓
Healthcare22 USD✓23 USD
Lifestyle139 USD117 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,204 USD✓5,823 USD
Effective tax + social rate25.5%✓30.1%
Left over each month4,556 USD✓4,156 USD
Average local net salary950 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, centre2,800 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety54/100✓42/100
Healthcare72/100✓66/100
Air quality32/10034/100✓
Public transport78/100✓68/100
Walkability72/10074/100✓
English proficiency34/10044/100✓
Nightlife74/10092/100✓
Family friendliness72/100✓64/100
Median broadband180 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature15°C✓17°C
Summer high29°C26°C✓
Winter low3°C7°C✓
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,500 h
Annual rainfall310 mm✓850 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoYes✓
Beach access100 min✓None nearby
CurrencyCLPMXN
Time zoneAmerica/SantiagoAmerica/Mexico_City

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

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

Frequently asked

Is Santiago or Mexico City cheaper?

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

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

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

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

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