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Oaxaca vs Cancún – Digital Nomad Guide

Trying to decide between Oaxaca, Mexico and Cancún, Mexico? Here's a detailed comparison to help digital nomads and remote workers make an informed choice.

💰 Cost of Living

Oaxaca has a monthly cost of $2,030, which is 21.9% lower than Cancún's $2,600.

🌐 Internet Infrastructure

For internet speeds, Oaxaca offers 20 Mbps, while Cancún provides 50 Mbps making Cancún's connection 150.0% faster .

☀️ Current Weather

The weather in Oaxaca is currently 28°C 🌤️, while Cancún is experiencing 29°C 🌤️.

🛡️ Safety Comparison

Oaxaca has a safety score of 63.0 , while Cancún scores 54.0 .

Costs
$2,030
per month
Internet
20
Mbps
Weather
28° 🌤️
High today
Costs
$2,600
per month
Internet
50
Mbps
Weather
29° 🌤️
High today
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Overall

70.0
Overall Score
68.0

Quality of Life

63.0
Safety
54.0

Oaxaca is 9% better

70.0
Healthcare
77.0

Cancún is 7% better

Cost Oaxaca wins

87.0
Cost of Living
71.0

Oaxaca is 16% better

Climate Oaxaca wins

70.0
Air Quality
62.0

Oaxaca is 8% better

Infrastructure Cancún wins

71.0
Internet Speed
79.0

Cancún is 8% better

Social Oaxaca wins

63.0
Nightlife
76.0

Cancún is 13% better

96.0
Culture
80.0

Oaxaca is 16% better

93.0
Food Scene
83.0

Oaxaca is 10% better

Total Cost of Living Comparison

Category Oaxaca Cancún Difference
Monthly Total $2,030 $2,600 -21.9%
Daily Average $68 $87 per day

Housing

Item Oaxaca Cancún Difference
Apartment (1 bedroom) $350.00 per month $550.00 per month -36.4%

Daily Life

Item Oaxaca Cancún Difference
Coffee $1.50 per cup $1.80 per cup -16.7%

Transportation

Item Oaxaca Cancún Difference

Utilities

Item Oaxaca Cancún Difference
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Final Verdict: Oaxaca vs Cancún

Oaxaca ranks as the better digital nomad destination, scoring 2.0% higher than Cancún overall.

💰 Cost Analysis

  • Monthly Budget: $2,030 vs $2,600
  • Daily Expenses: $68 vs $87
  • Oaxaca is 21.9% cheaper for digital nomads

🌐 Infrastructure

  • Internet Speed: Cancún leads with 60% faster connection
  • Public Transport: Cancún has better public transportation

🎯 Key Advantages

Oaxaca Wins In:
  • Safety (9% better)
  • Cost of Living (16% better)
  • Air Quality (8% better)
  • Culture (16% better)
  • Food Scene (10% better)
Cancún Wins In:
  • Healthcare (7% better)
  • Internet Speed (8% better)
  • Nightlife (13% better)

💡 Final Recommendation

Choose Oaxaca if you prioritize better quality of life metrics and Safety. However, Cancún might be preferable if Safety is your top priority. Both cities offer unique advantages for digital nomads, with distinct trade-offs in cost of living, infrastructure, and lifestyle options.

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