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Cancún vs Rio de Janeiro cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇲🇽 Cancún
🇧🇷 Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is 28% cheaper than Cancún
Living on $3,708 a month in Cancún feels like about $2,821 in Rio de Janeiro — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$247 vs $166
Per month
$3,708 vs $2,821
Local meal
MX$ 200 vs R$ 43
$10.8 vs $7.96
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 130 vs R$ 43
$6.99 vs $7.96
At a glance
FoodRio de Janeiro 28% cheaper
Cafés & drinksRio de Janeiro 33% cheaper
TransportCancún 9% cheaper
StayRio de Janeiro 32% cheaper
Funsimilar
- Where Rio de Janeiro is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (40%↓), Coffee (36%↓), Restaurant dinner (31%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Cancún | Rio de Janeiro | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 200$10.8 | R$ 43$7.96 | Rio de Janeiro −26% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 90$4.84 | R$ 19$3.52 | Rio de Janeiro −27% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 600$32.3 | R$ 120$22.2 | Rio de Janeiro −31% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 75$4.03 | R$ 14$2.59 | Rio de Janeiro −36% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 80$4.3 | R$ 16$2.96 | Rio de Janeiro −31% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 210$11.3 | R$ 42$7.78 | Rio de Janeiro −31% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 18$0.97 | R$ 5$0.93 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 45$2.42 | R$ 13$2.41 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 130$6.99 | R$ 43$7.96 | Cancún −12% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 86$4.62 | R$ 25$4.63 | similar |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 15$0.81 | R$ 5$0.93 | Cancún −13% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 530$28.5 | R$ 160$29.6 | similar |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 2,800$151 | R$ 490$90.7 | Rio de Janeiro −40% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 16,000$860 | R$ 3,500$648 | Rio de Janeiro −25% |
| Laundry | MX$ 43$2.31 | R$ 11$2.04 | Rio de Janeiro −12% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 210$11.3 | R$ 54$10 | Rio de Janeiro −11% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 220$11.8 | R$ 67$12.4 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 640$34.4 | R$ 190$35.2 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 860$46.2 | R$ 250$46.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 210$11.3 | R$ 54$10 | Rio de Janeiro −11% |
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, Cancún or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is 28% cheaper than Cancún. Daily budget $247 vs $166; a month $3,708 vs $2,821.
How do monthly costs compare between Cancún and Rio de Janeiro?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cancún is about $3,708 and Rio de Janeiro about $2,821 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.