Istanbul vs Mexico City: cost of living for digital nomads

Istanbul, Turkey 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

  • Istanbul is about 24% cheaper than Mexico City for a month of nomad living ($1,400 vs $1,850).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $650 in Istanbul against $950 in Mexico City.
  • Istanbul scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
  • Internet is faster in Mexico City: 100 Mbps typical against 60 Mbps.
  • Istanbul is mediterranean; Mexico City is temperate.

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

LineIstanbulMexico City
Monthly total (USD)$1,400$1,850
Rent$650$950
Food$380$450
Transport$45$50
Coworking$110$140
Safety (out of 10)7/106/10
Internet (Mbps)60100
Climatemediterraneantemperate
City sizemetrometro
Settingcoastinland
Nomad score (out of 10)8/1010/10

Mexico City

Mexico City, Mexico.

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Compare Mexico City with

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.