Barcelona vs Mexico City: cost of living for digital nomads

Barcelona, Spain and Mexico City, Mexico, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.

The short version

  • Mexico City is about 27% cheaper than Barcelona for a month of nomad living ($1,850 vs $2,550).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $950 in Mexico City against $1,350 in Barcelona.
  • Barcelona scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Barcelona: 300 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
  • Barcelona is mediterranean; Mexico City is temperate.

Barcelona wins 2 of the measured lines; Mexico City wins 6.

LineBarcelonaMexico City
Monthly total (USD)$2,550$1,850
Rent$1,350$950
Food$540$450
Transport$55$50
Coworking$160$140
Safety (out of 10)8/106/10
Internet (Mbps)300100
Climatemediterraneantemperate
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)9/1010/10

Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico.

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Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.