Mexico City vs Oaxaca — Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Which city is cheaper, safer, and better for remote workers? Here's the data.
NoodlePants Verdict — generated from live data
Oaxaca edges out Mexico City on affordability with a Cost of Living index of 30 vs 41.8 (USA=100; very affordable vs affordable). Mexico City scores higher on safety (47/100), and Mexico City wins on internet at ~90 Mbps. Overall, Mexico City takes the Nomad Score crown with 81/100 — best for remote worker and foodies.
* Some figures are country averages — full city-level data coming soon.Pro members get neighbourhood-level breakdowns.
Metric
Mexico City
Oaxaca
Avg Rent 1BR (city centre)
US$950
US$500
Avg Rent 1BR (outside centre)
US$580
US$350
Cost of Living (USA=100)
42
30
Safety Score
47/100
—
Internet Speed
90 Mbps
—
Nomad Score
81/100
—
Healthcare Score
72/100
—
Digital Nomad Visa
Not available
Not available
Who is each city for?
Oaxaca is better for…
See the Mexico country profileAlso compare
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