City Comparison

Mexico City vs Stockholm

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Mexico City

Mexico
40
Very Affordable
$155,000
Median Home
$575/mo
Median Rent
$13,500
Median Income

Stockholm

Sweden
97
Average
$445,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$50,000
Median Income

The Verdict

58.8%

Living in Mexico City costs 58.8% less than Stockholm. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Mexico City, you would need $181,875 in Stockholm.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
28
Mexico City
118
Stockholm
Groceries
42
Mexico City
92
Stockholm
Utilities
30
Mexico City
88
Stockholm
Transportation
35
Mexico City
108
Stockholm
Healthcare
25
Mexico City
82
Stockholm

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Mexico City has the same purchasing power as $181,875 in Stockholm.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockholm equals $30,928 in Mexico City.

Living in Mexico City vs Stockholm

Housing Costs

Mexico City's housing index of 28 is lower Stockholm's 118, translating to median home prices of $155,000 vs $445,000. The $290,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,852 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $575/mo in Mexico City compared to $1,500/mo in Stockholm, a monthly difference of $925.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 42 in Mexico City and 92 in Stockholm. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $200/month in Mexico City vs $437/month in Stockholm. Mexico City offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $2844/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 30 in Mexico City and 88 in Stockholm. Monthly utility bills average approximately $120 in Mexico City vs $352 in Stockholm. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 25 in Mexico City and 82 in Stockholm. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 57-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $13,500 in Mexico City and $50,000 in Stockholm. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $33,750 and $51,546 respectively. Stockholm residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $315/month to housing in Mexico City vs $1,167/month in Stockholm. In Mexico City, median rent of $575/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Stockholm, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mexico City is 58.8% more affordable overall with an index of 40 vs 97.
A $75,000 salary in Mexico City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $181,875 in Stockholm, based on the cost of living difference.
Mexico City's housing index is 28 with median homes at $155,000, while Stockholm's is 118 with median homes at $445,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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