Compare countries · Mexico vs Spain
Mexico vs Spain
Mexico(North America)·
Spain(Europe)
Across 13 comparable indicators: Mexico leads on 3, Spain on 10. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh; the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Quick answers
Is Mexico cheaper than Spain?
Numbeo's 2026 cost-of-living index (NYC = 100) puts Mexico at 42.6 and Spain at 51.6. Mexico is about 17% cheaper overall.
Is Mexico or Spain safer?
On the Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful), Mexico scores 2.65 and Spain scores 1.65. Spain ranks as the more peaceful of the two.
Which has the higher quality of life, Mexico or Spain?
On the UN Human Development Index, Mexico scores 0.789 and Spain scores 0.918. Spain scores higher on this composite of income, health and education. Single indexes hide trade-offs; the full comparison above shows where each country wins.
What is life like in Mexico compared to Spain?
GNI per capita runs $13,730 in Mexico against $37,120 in Spain; people live 75.3 years on average against 83.9; Numbeo users rate healthcare 72 against 77. 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)
Mexico
42.6
Around the global middle
Spain
51.6
Worse than 70% of countries
Mexico: 17% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
Mexico
17.8
Worse than 64% of countries
Spain
23.2
Worse than 78% of countries
Mexico: 23% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
Mexico
2.65
Worse than 85% of countries
Spain
1.65
Better than 84% of countries
Spain: more peaceful (1.65 vs 2.65).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
Mexico
47.1
Worse than 72% of countries
Spain
62.4
Better than 67% of countries
Spain: higher perceived safety (62.4 vs 47.1).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
Mexico
0.789
Better than 58% of countries
Spain
0.918
Better than 86% of countries
Spain: higher human development (0.918 vs 0.789).
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
Mexico
$25,868
Better than 57% of countries
Spain
$59,868
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: 131% higher income per person.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
Mexico
75.3 yrs
Better than 55% of countries
Spain
83.9 yrs
Better than 94% of countries
Spain: 8.6 years longer on average.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
Mexico
72.3
Better than 78% of countries
Spain
77.2
Better than 90% of countries
Spain: better-rated healthcare (77.2 vs 72.3).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
Mexico
94 Mbps
Around the global middle
Spain
277 Mbps
Better than 92% of countries
Spain: 195% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
Mexico
45/100
Worse than 68% of countries
Spain
75/100
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: freer press (75 vs 45 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
Mexico
6.97
Better than 92% of countries
Spain
6.54
Better than 72% of countries
Mexico: happier on the Cantril ladder (6.97 vs 6.54).
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
Mexico
440
Worse than 85% of countries
Spain
540
Better than 65% of countries
Spain: stronger English proficiency (540 vs 440).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
Mexico
86.6
Better than 65% of countries
Spain
92.8
Better than 83% of countries
Spain: more pleasant climate rating (92.8 vs 86.6).
Deciding between Mexico and Spain 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 Mexico profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
Full Spain profile →
70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.