City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Edinburgh vs Monterrey — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Monterrey
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 25.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Monterrey.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Edinburgh | Monterrey | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,441 | $2,597 | $156 |
| Groceries | $830 | $1,076 | $246 |
| Dining Out | $636 | $575 | +$61 |
| Transportation | $221 | $112 | +$109 |
| Utilities | $506 | $250 | +$256 |
| Other / Misc | $366 | $390 | $24 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Edinburgh
$5,000
per month
Monterrey equivalent
$3,213
per month
Only $3,213/mo in Monterrey matches $5,000/mo in Edinburgh — better value.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
Living in Edinburgh on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,441 to rent, $830 to groceries, $636 to dining.
Can I live in Monterrey on $5,000/month?
In Monterrey, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,597 rent, $1,076 groceries, $575 dining.
Is Edinburgh or Monterrey cheaper?
Monterrey is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Edinburgh 40.3 vs Monterrey 25.9 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Edinburgh worth in Monterrey?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Edinburgh equals ~$3,213/mo in Monterrey using COL adjustment.