Skip to content

São Paulo vs Mexico City

São Paulo runs about 25% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 USD a month.

Foto: Beto Issa/Fórmula 1
São Paulo
$1,331/month · Brazil
Governo do Estado de São Paulo · CC BY 2.0
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
São Paulo monthly
$1,331
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Mexico City monthly
$1,666
Index 26 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+25%
Mexico City relative to São Paulo
Rent gap
$250
Mexico City costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

São PauloMexico City
  • Housing
    Housing: São Paulo $650, Mexico City $900. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Food
    Food: São Paulo $330, Mexico City $456. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Transport
    Transport: São Paulo $70, Mexico City $44. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: São Paulo $101, Mexico City $70. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: São Paulo $24, Mexico City $23. Cheaper in Mexico City.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: São Paulo $105, Mexico City $117. Cheaper in São Paulo.
  • Other
    Other: São Paulo $50, Mexico City $57. 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

MetricSão PauloMexico City
Cost
Total monthly cost1,331 USD✓1,666 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)21✓26
Housing650 USD✓900 USD
Utilities101 USD70 USD✓
Food330 USD✓456 USD
Transport70 USD44 USD✓
Healthcare24 USD23 USD✓
Lifestyle105 USD✓117 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr6,041 USD✓5,823 USD
Effective tax + social rate27.5%✓30.1%
Left over each month4,710 USD✓4,156 USD
Average local net salary700 USD750 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre650 USD✓900 USD
3-bed rent, city centre1,400 USD✓1,800 USD
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD✓3,200 USD
Quality of life
Safety42/10042/100
Healthcare72/100✓66/100
Air quality44/100✓34/100
Public transport66/10068/100✓
Walkability72/10074/100✓
English proficiency32/10044/100✓
Nightlife92/10092/100
Family friendliness64/10064/100
Median broadband190 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature20°C17°C✓
Summer high28°C26°C✓
Winter low12°C✓7°C
Sunshine hours per year1,900 h2,500 h✓
Annual rainfall1450 mm850 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access70 min✓None nearby
CurrencyBRLMXN
Time zoneAmerica/Sao_PauloAmerica/Mexico_City

São Paulo runs about 25% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 USD a month.

Next

Go deeper

Cost of living in São PauloCost of living in Mexico CityConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
São Paulo vs Buenos AiresSão Paulo vs MedellínSão Paulo vs Santiago
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is São Paulo or Mexico City cheaper?

São Paulo runs about 25% cheaper than Mexico City for this household, a difference of 335 USD a month.

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

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

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

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