NLVNet Life Value

Moving from
to

Complete relocation analysis: taxes, real prices, quality of life, and what salary to ask for.

The verdict

Mexico is 31% cheaper to live in. Tax rate goes from 24.1% to 22.8%. Quality of life drops by 21 points.

Spain presents a significantly higher Quality of Life at 68/100 compared to Mexico's 47/100, a substantial 21-point difference. This gap is most pronounced in public safety, where Spain achieves an impressive 87, dwarfing Mexico's 22 by 65 points. Spain also demonstrates a clear advantage in healthcare (66 vs. 38) and internet infrastructure (76 vs. 53), underscoring a more developed public services framework. Climate scores are close, with Spain at 74 (15.5°C) slightly ahead of Mexico at 67 (17°C), both offering generally pleasant conditions. However, the superior QoL in Spain comes with a significantly higher price level of 78, nearly double Mexico's 48, though Spain's taxation is lower at 31 compared to Mexico's 49.

Spain unequivocally wins, offering a dramatically safer environment and superior public services, making it a much more appealing choice despite the higher cost of living.

Moving to Mexico? NLV varies by city.

Mexico City49

Tax Comparison

At $36,517 USD equivalent gross salary

🇪🇸 Spain

Gross€33,502
Income Tax-€5,951
Social-€2,127
Net€25,424
Effective Rate24.1%

🇲🇽 Mexico

GrossMX$745,245
Income Tax-MX$157,177
Social-MX$13,042
NetMX$575,026
Effective Rate22.8%

Net difference: +$465/year in Mexico.Full calculator →

What Things Actually Cost

Price Index: Spain = 81, Mexico = 56 (US = 100)

🍔

Big Mac

$5.10→$3.80
-25%
☕

Starbucks Tall Latte

$3.80→$3.80
0%
🍺

Beer 500ml (bar)

$4.50→$3.00
-33%
📱

iPhone 16 128GB

$900.00→$980.00
+9%
🎬

Netflix Standard (monthly)

$12.99→$7.50
-42%
⛽

1L Gasoline (95)

$1.65→$1.10
-33%
🚇

Single Transit Ticket

$1.70→$0.30
-82%
🏠

Airbnb Studio (city center)

$80.00→$45.00
-44%
See all 30 products →

What Salary to Ask For

If you earn €33,502 gross in Spain ($36,517USD), here's what you need in Mexico depending on your goal:

Same net income (tax only)

MX$731,122

You keep the same $27,712/yr net in both countries. Mexico taxes 1.4% less.

Same purchasing power (recommended)

MX$505,467

Accounts for the fact that Mexico is 31% cheaper than Spain. This is the number to negotiate.

Net Life Value at $37K

🇪🇸 Spain

56

-3

🇲🇽 Mexico

53

NLV combines net income, cost of living, and quality of life into one score. Similar overall quality of life in both countries.

Calculate with your exact salary →

Quality of Life

Spain: 68/100 vs Mexico: 47/100

Cost of Living
70
59
-11
Climate
74
67
-7
Safety
87
22
-65
Healthcare
66
38
-28
Internet
76
53
-23
Taxation
31
49
+18

Moving to Mexico: Practicalities

Visa Openness

70/100

English Level

44/100

Expat Community

0.9%

Digital Nomad Visa

No

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax do I save moving from Spain to Mexico?▾
The effective tax rate changes from 24.1% in Spain to 22.8% in Mexico. You keep about $464.62 more per year in Mexico.
Is Mexico cheaper to live in than Spain?▾
Yes. Mexico is about 31% cheaper across 30 everyday products (Big Mac, iPhone, gasoline, Netflix, etc.). Your money goes further.
What salary do I need in Mexico to match my lifestyle in Spain?▾
Use our salary calculator to find the exact amount. It accounts for income tax, social contributions, and cost of living differences between Spain and Mexico. As a rule of thumb: you can accept a lower gross salary because Mexico is significantly cheaper.
Is it worth moving from Spain to Mexico?▾
It depends on your priorities. The financial difference is small. Consider quality of life, climate, healthcare, and personal factors.

Also Consider

🇪🇸 → 🇺🇸 United States🇪🇸 → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom🇪🇸 → 🇫🇷 France🇪🇸 → 🇩🇪 Germany🇪🇸 → 🇵🇹 Portugal🇪🇸 → 🇮🇹 Italy