moneycurio

Compare countries

Japan vs MexicoSalaries & cost of living, compared

In Mexico, the average salary is 58% lower than in Japan ($13,300 vs $31,300 a year). The overall cost of living is 13% lower. Once prices are taken into account, a typical salary stretches 51% less far in Japan — the number that actually shapes your standard of living.

Average salary / yr

Japan$31,300
Mexico$13,300

Higher pay: Japan

Cost of living (US=100)

Japan62.4
Mexico54.2

Pricier: Japan

Real purchasing power

Japan50160
Mexico24539

Goes further: Japan

A $31,000 salary in Japan feels like about $35,690 in Mexico once local prices apply.

Try it with your own salary →

Frequently asked questions

Are salaries higher in Japan or Mexico?

The average wage is higher in Japan — $31,300 versus $13,300 per year.

Is Japan or Mexico more expensive to live in?

Japan has the higher overall cost of living — a price level of 62.4 versus 54.2 (United States = 100).

Where does your money go further, Japan or Mexico?

After adjusting the average wage for local prices, real purchasing power is higher in Japan. That is usually the number that matters most for day-to-day life.

Salaries use OECD average wages; cost of living uses World Bank price levels (2026-07-25). India's wage is an estimate. Figures are ballpark for comparison, not precise.