Compare countries · Brazil vs Mexico
Brazil vs Mexico
Brazil(South America)·
Mexico(North America)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Brazil leads on 7, Mexico on 4, 2 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Brazil cheaper than Mexico?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Brazil at 30.1 and Mexico at 42.6. Brazil is about 29% cheaper overall.
Is Brazil or Mexico safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Brazil scores 2.33 and Mexico scores 2.65. Brazil ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Brazil or Mexico?
On the UN Human Development Index, Brazil scores 0.786 and Mexico scores 0.789. The two are effectively tied. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Brazil compared to Mexico?
GNI per capita runs $10,550 in Brazil against $13,730 in Mexico; people live 76.0 years on average against 75.3; Numbeo users rate healthcare 59 against 72. Those are national averages and they hide the thing you actually feel: capital-city costs run well ahead of the national figure in most countries, and rural provision of healthcare and internet often lags the number shown here. The table below splits it indicator by indicator.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Brazil
30.1
Better than 81% of countries
Mexico
42.6
Around the global middle
Brazil: 29% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Brazil
8.5
Better than 83% of countries
Mexico
17.8
Worse than 64% of countries
Brazil: 52% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Brazil
2.33
Worse than 76% of countries
Mexico
2.65
Worse than 85% of countries
Brazil: more peaceful (2.33 vs 2.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Brazil
36.0
Worse than 88% of countries
Mexico
47.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Mexico: higher perceived safety (47.1 vs 36.0).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Brazil
0.786
Better than 56% of countries
Mexico
0.789
Better than 58% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Brazil
$23,433
Better than 55% of countries
Mexico
$25,868
Better than 57% of countries
Mexico: 10% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Brazil
76.0 yrs
Better than 58% of countries
Mexico
75.3 yrs
Better than 55% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Brazil
59.3
Worse than 63% of countries
Mexico
72.3
Better than 78% of countries
Mexico: better-rated healthcare (72.3 vs 59.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Brazil
222 Mbps
Better than 85% of countries
Mexico
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Brazil: 136% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Brazil
66/100
Better than 70% of countries
Mexico
45/100
Worse than 68% of countries
Brazil: freer press (66 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Brazil
6.63
Better than 78% of countries
Mexico
6.97
Better than 92% of countries
Mexico: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.97 vs 6.63).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Brazil
482
Worse than 65% of countries
Mexico
440
Worse than 85% of countries
Brazil: stronger English proficiency (482 vs 440).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Brazil
92.5
Better than 82% of countries
Mexico
86.6
Better than 65% of countries
Brazil: more pleasant climate rating (92.5 vs 86.6).
Deciding between Brazil and Mexico for real?
Indexes can't weigh your budget, your timeline or your dealbreakers. The matcher asks, then answers with this same data.
Find your match →Full Brazil profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Mexico profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.