Can I Afford to Live in Mexico City vs New York on $75K?

Here's how a $75K/year salary plays out in both cities after taxes, rent, and core living expenses — based on Q1 2026 data.

Mexico City, MX
$4,741/mo take-home
Rent: $700/mo (15% of take-home)
Very comfortable
New York, NY
$4,309/mo take-home
Rent: $3,500/mo (81% of take-home)
Difficult

Monthly budget breakdown

Mexico City
MX
New York
NY
Monthly take-home (est.)
$4,741Best ✓
$4,309
1BR rent
$700Best ✓
$3,500
Groceries (est.)
$380Best ✓
$437
Transport (est.)
$150
$132Best ✓
Utilities
$55Best ✓
$180
Internet
$25Best ✓
$75
Left after essentials
$3,431/month
-$15/month
Mexico City (CDMX) has no state income tax, boosting take-home vs New York (NY rate: 6.9%).

Frequently asked questions

Is $75K a good salary in Mexico City?

At $75K/year in Mexico City, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,741. With 1BR rent around $700/month, rent takes up 15% of your take-home. That's considered very comfortable.

Is $75K a good salary in New York?

At $75K/year in New York, your estimated monthly take-home is $4,309. With 1BR rent around $3,500/month, rent takes up 81% of your take-home. That's considered difficult.

Which city is more affordable on a $75K salary?

Mexico City leaves you with more money after core expenses — $3,431/month vs $-15/month in New York.

Can I afford to live alone in Mexico City on $75K?

Yes. At $75K in Mexico City, rent takes 15% of your take-home, leaving $3,431/month after essentials. Most financial planners recommend keeping rent below 30%.

Compare other salary bands — Mexico City vs New York

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See the full cost-of-living comparison

Rent, groceries, taxes, transportation, and more — side by side.

Full comparison

Take-home estimates use simplified federal/state brackets and do not account for pre-tax deductions, 401(k), or local taxes. Data: Zillow, BLS, Numbeo · Q1 2026 · For general guidance only