Mexico vs El Salvador
Mexico costs roughly 10% less than El Salvador. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Mexico is approximately 10% less expensive than El Salvador based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mexico a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mexico has a FIRE Score of 80/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The country's safety index is 46.6, suggesting moderate safety levels.
Recommended profile: Mexico is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mexico
Safety-sensitive retirees should pause: a 46.6 safety index and a significant safety index gap may signal real risk. But budget-conscious Americans willing to navigate that tradeoff get low rent (a one-bedroom city-center apartment averages $659.65\/mo), a large expat network, and an easy $3,738/mo income visa path to permanent residency.
$1,638/mo
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About El Salvador
Safety Index of 31.4 with a crime score of 58.6 is the real barrier here, not the paperwork. Remote workers chasing the Digital Nomad Visa at just $1,636/mo income should look past it, since Quality of Life scores 87.2 and rent runs $739/mo for a 1BR. Bitcoin-friendly tax rules help, but 30% progressive income tax still bites for high earners.
$1,568/mo
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Country Details →Battle of Lifestyles
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| Metric | Mexico | El Salvador |
|---|---|---|
| Travel Advisory | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 1: Normal Precautions |
| Quality of Life Index | 126.3 +39.1 | 87.2 |
| Healthcare Index | 72.5 +35.6 | 36.9 |
| Safety Index | 46.6 +15.2 | 31.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 34.5 +3.4 | 37.9 |
| Living Costs (Single, excl. rent) | $701.9 | $692.8 +9.1 |
| Living Costs (Family, excl. rent) | $2,604.9 | $2,512.8 +92.1 |
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $659.65 +79.59 | $739.24 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $430.55 +219.61 | $650.16 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $1,227.82 +32.18 | $1,260 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $816.48 +60.23 | $876.71 |
| Avg Internet Speed | 174.1 Mbps +22.8 | 151.3 Mbps |
Expat taxes filed by specialists
Greenback Expat Tax handles US taxes for Americans living in El Salvador. File confidently from abroad.
File your taxes →International health insurance from $45/mo
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