Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro
Mexico City vs Rio de Janeiro cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Mexico City
๐ง๐ท Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is 7% cheaper than Mexico City
Living on $3,238 a month in Mexico City feels like about $2,821 in Rio de Janeiro โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$167 vs $166
Per month
$3,238 vs $2,821
Local meal
MX$ 150 vs R$ 43
$8.06 vs $7.96
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 78 vs R$ 43
$4.19 vs $7.96
At a glance
Foodsimilar
Cafรฉs & drinksRio de Janeiro 15% cheaper
TransportMexico City 51% cheaper
StayRio de Janeiro 20% cheaper
FunMexico City 21% cheaper
- Where Rio de Janeiro is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (33%โ), Coffee (26%โ)
- Where Mexico City is clearly cheaper: Transit (65%โ), Taxi (47%โ), Haircut (26%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Mexico City | Rio de Janeiro | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 150$8.06 | R$ 43$7.96 | similar |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 68$3.66 | R$ 19$3.52 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 450$24.2 | R$ 120$22.2 | Rio de Janeiro โ8% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 65$3.49 | R$ 14$2.59 | Rio de Janeiro โ26% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 60$3.23 | R$ 16$2.96 | Rio de Janeiro โ8% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 160$8.6 | R$ 42$7.78 | Rio de Janeiro โ10% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 15$0.81 | R$ 5$0.93 | Mexico City โ13% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 38$2.04 | R$ 13$2.41 | Mexico City โ15% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 78$4.19 | R$ 43$7.96 | Mexico City โ47% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 66$3.55 | R$ 25$4.63 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 6$0.32 | R$ 5$0.93 | Mexico City โ65% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 410$22 | R$ 160$29.6 | Mexico City โ26% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,800$96.8 | R$ 490$90.7 | Rio de Janeiro โ6% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 18,000$968 | R$ 3,500$648 | Rio de Janeiro โ33% |
| Laundry | MX$ 33$1.77 | R$ 11$2.04 | Mexico City โ13% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 160$8.6 | R$ 54$10 | Mexico City โ14% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 170$9.14 | R$ 67$12.4 | Mexico City โ26% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 490$26.3 | R$ 190$35.2 | Mexico City โ25% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 660$35.5 | R$ 250$46.3 | Mexico City โ23% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 160$8.6 | R$ 54$10 | Mexico City โ14% |
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, Mexico City or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is 7% cheaper than Mexico City. Daily budget $167 vs $166; a month $3,238 vs $2,821.
How do monthly costs compare between Mexico City and Rio de Janeiro?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Mexico City is about $3,238 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.