Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Buenos Aires vs Mexico City
Buenos Aires vs Mexico City cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฆ๐ท Buenos Aires
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico CityBuenos Aires is 28% cheaper than Mexico City
Living on $2,229 a month in Buenos Aires feels like about $3,238 in Mexico City โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$152 vs $167
Per month
$2,229 vs $3,238
Local meal
AR$ 13,000 vs MX$ 150
$9.29 vs $8.06
Taxi 5 km
AR$ 8,400 vs MX$ 78
$6 vs $4.19
At a glance
FoodMexico City 6% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksBuenos Aires 16% cheaper
TransportMexico City 20% cheaper
StayBuenos Aires 37% cheaper
FunBuenos Aires 5% cheaper
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Taxi (30%โ), Bottled water (25%โ), Convenience store (25%โ)
- Where Buenos Aires is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (48%โ), Coffee (28%โ), Hotel night (19%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Buenos Aires | Mexico City | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | AR$ 13,000$9.29 | MX$ 150$8.06 | Mexico City โ13% |
| Street food1 item | AR$ 5,900$4.21 | MX$ 68$3.66 | Mexico City โ13% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | AR$ 31,000$22.1 | MX$ 450$24.2 | Buenos Aires โ8% |
| Coffeeone cup | AR$ 3,500$2.5 | MX$ 65$3.49 | Buenos Aires โ28% |
| Beerone bottle | AR$ 4,200$3 | MX$ 60$3.23 | Buenos Aires โ7% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | AR$ 11,000$7.86 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Buenos Aires โ9% |
| Bottled water | AR$ 1,500$1.07 | MX$ 15$0.81 | Mexico City โ25% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | AR$ 3,800$2.71 | MX$ 38$2.04 | Mexico City โ25% |
| Taxi5 km in town | AR$ 8,400$6 | MX$ 78$4.19 | Mexico City โ30% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | AR$ 5,600$4 | MX$ 66$3.55 | Mexico City โ11% |
| Transitone ride | AR$ 560$0.4 | MX$ 6$0.32 | Mexico City โ19% |
| Scooter rentalper day | AR$ 28,000$20 | MX$ 410$22 | Buenos Aires โ9% |
| Hotel night3-star | AR$ 110,000$78.6 | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | Buenos Aires โ19% |
| Studio rent (month) | AR$ 700,000$500 | MX$ 18,000$968 | Buenos Aires โ48% |
| Laundry | AR$ 2,800$2 | MX$ 33$1.77 | Mexico City โ11% |
| SIM card1 week data | AR$ 11,000$7.86 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Buenos Aires โ9% |
| Haircutcut | AR$ 12,000$8.57 | MX$ 170$9.14 | Buenos Aires โ6% |
| Massage1 hour | AR$ 35,000$25 | MX$ 490$26.3 | Buenos Aires โ5% |
| Half-day tourper person | AR$ 49,000$35 | MX$ 660$35.5 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | AR$ 11,000$7.86 | MX$ 160$8.6 | Buenos Aires โ9% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Buenos Aires or Mexico City?
Buenos Aires is 28% cheaper than Mexico City. Daily budget $152 vs $167; a month $2,229 vs $3,238.
How do monthly costs compare between Buenos Aires and Mexico City?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Buenos Aires is about $2,229 and Mexico City about $3,238 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.