Mexico City vs Oaxaca: cost of living for digital nomads
Mexico City, Mexico and Oaxaca, 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
- Oaxaca is about 35% cheaper than Mexico City for a month of nomad living ($1,200 vs $1,850).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $520 in Oaxaca against $950 in Mexico City.
- Oaxaca scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Mexico City: 100 Mbps typical against 50 Mbps.
- Both have a temperate climate.
Mexico City wins 2 of the measured lines; Oaxaca wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Mexico City or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca 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, Mexico City or Oaxaca?
Oaxaca scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Mexico City.
Which has faster internet, Mexico City or Oaxaca?
Mexico City has faster typical internet: 100 Mbps against 50 Mbps in Oaxaca.
| Line | Mexico City | Oaxaca |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,850 | $1,200 |
| Rent | $950 | $520 |
| Food | $450 | $340 |
| Transport | $50 | $40 |
| Coworking | $140 | $100 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 50 |
| Climate | temperate | temperate |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | inland |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 8/10 |
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): Mexico City November 3, 2026, Oaxaca November 8, 2026.