Mexico vs Brazil — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
Mexico has a cost of living index of 59.0 with average 1BR rent around $520/mo, while Brazil sits at 47.0 with rent near $380/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | Mexico | Brazil | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 11.20% | 11.00% | Brazil |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 9.50% | 11.50% | Brazil |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 65.0% | 430.0% | Mexico |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$520/mo | US$380/mo | Brazil |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$1,900/m² | US$1,700/m² | Brazil |
Summary
Mexico has a higher mortgage rate than Brazil at 11.20% vs 11.00%. Rental costs in Mexico average $520/month compared to $380 in Brazil, while the cost of living index sits at 59.0 versus 47.0. Overall, Brazil looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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