Mexico City vs San Nicolas: cost of living for digital nomads
Mexico City, Mexico and San Nicolas, Aruba, 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 8% cheaper than San Nicolas for a month of nomad living ($1,850 vs $2,005).
- San Nicolas scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in San Nicolas: 140 Mbps typical against 100 Mbps.
- Mexico City is temperate; San Nicolas is arid.
Mexico City wins 4 of the measured lines; San Nicolas wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Mexico City or San Nicolas?
Mexico City is cheaper: about $1,850/month against $2,005/month in San Nicolas, roughly 8% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Mexico City or San Nicolas?
San Nicolas scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 6/10 for Mexico City.
Which has faster internet, Mexico City or San Nicolas?
San Nicolas has faster typical internet: 140 Mbps against 100 Mbps in Mexico City.
| Line | Mexico City | San Nicolas |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,850 | $2,005 |
| Rent | $950 | $950 |
| Food | $450 | $510 |
| Transport | $50 | $55 |
| Coworking | $140 | $105 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 8/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 100 | 140 |
| Climate | temperate | arid |
| City size | metro | small |
| Setting | inland | island |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 10/10 | 5/10 |
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, San Nicolas September 11, 2026.