Cancún VS Stockholm

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

Cancún
Mexico
35.8
COLI Index
#71
Global Rank
MXN
Currency
Stockholm
Sweden
64.3
COLI Index
#34
Global Rank
SEK
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
35.8
64.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$600
$1,500
Total Deductions
20.1%
39.0%
Exchange Rate
1 MXN = 0.5373 SEK
Is Cancún cheaper than Stockholm?

Yes, Cancún is 44% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Cancún has a COLI of 35.8, while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3. 44% cheaper

Key Takeaways: Cancún vs Stockholm

Overall, Cancún is approximately 44% cheaper than Stockholm based on our cost of living index. Cancún has a COLI of 35.8 (ranked #71 of 182 cities), while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3 (ranked #34).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in Cancún averages $600/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. That makes Cancún approximately 60% cheaper for rent alone.

Cancún has lower total deductions (20.1%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Cancún. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

Cancún

Income Tax
17%
IMSS
2.8%
Total: 20.1%Take-Home: MX$363,384/yr

Stockholm

Income Tax
32%
Employee Social Fees
7.0%
Total: 39.0%Take-Home: kr 267,812/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn MX$1,270,708 in Cancún, you would need approximately kr 1,226,358 in Stockholm to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 44% more due to higher cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title Cancún (MXN) Stockholm (SEK)
Doctor (General) MX$1,091,792 kr 1,053,687
Software Engineer MX$515,569 kr 497,575
Product Manager MX$606,551 kr 585,382
Lawyer MX$606,551 kr 585,382
Data Scientist MX$576,224 kr 556,113
Marketing Manager MX$436,717 kr 421,475
Teacher MX$291,145 kr 280,983
Nurse MX$351,800 kr 339,521

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

Cancún (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Zona Hotelera1.35x (+35%)
Puerto Cancún1.28x (+28%)
Playa Mujeres1.22x (+22%)
Isla Mujeres1.15x (+15%)
Punta Sam1.08x (+8%)

Stockholm (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Östermalm1.32x (+32%)
Norrmalm1.22x (+22%)
Gamla Stan1.20x (+20%)
Djurgården1.18x (+18%)
Södermalm1.15x (+15%)

Sponsored

Moving between Cancún and Stockholm?

Save up to 6x on international transfers. Send money at the real exchange rate with no hidden fees.

Compare Transfer Fees →

Get Your Exact Number

Use our converter with 3,400+ neighborhood adjustments for a precise salary comparison

Open Salary Converter

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cancún or Stockholm more expensive?

Stockholm is more expensive overall. Cancún has a COLI of 35.8 while Stockholm has a COLI of 64.3, making Cancún approximately 44% cheaper.

What salary in Stockholm equals MX$1,270,708 in Cancún?

To maintain the same standard of living as MX$1,270,708 in Cancún, you would need approximately kr 1,226,358 in Stockholm.

Is rent cheaper in Cancún or Stockholm?

Average one-bedroom rent in Cancún is $600/month compared to $1,500/month in Stockholm. Cancún has lower rent by approximately 60%.

Which city has lower taxes, Cancún or Stockholm?

Cancún has lower total deductions (20.1%) compared to Stockholm (39.0%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in Cancún.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.