Lima vs Mexico City: cost of living for digital nomads
Lima, Peru 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
- Lima is about 35% cheaper than Mexico City for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,850).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $540 in Lima against $950 in Mexico City.
- Both score 6/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Mexico City: 100 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Lima is arid; Mexico City is temperate.
Lima wins 5 of the measured lines; Mexico City wins 2.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Lima or Mexico City?
Lima is cheaper: about $1,200/month against $1,850/month in Mexico City, roughly 35% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Lima or Mexico City?
Lima and Mexico City score the same on safety, 6/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Lima or Mexico City?
Mexico City has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Lima.
| Line | Lima | Mexico City |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,200 | $1,850 |
| Rent | $540 | $950 |
| Food | $340 | $450 |
| Transport | $40 | $50 |
| Coworking | $100 | $140 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 6/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 80 | 100 |
| Climate | arid | temperate |
| City size | metro | metro |
| Setting | coast | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 10/10 |
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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Lima November 4, 2026, Mexico City November 3, 2026.