City Budget Comparison
Can You Live on $5,000/month?
Monterrey vs Edinburgh — Budget Breakdown
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · April 2026
Feasibility
Monterrey
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 25.9 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Monterrey.
Edinburgh
Comfortable
COL+Rent: 40.3 (NYC=100)
$5,000/mo comfortably covers expenses in Edinburgh.
Budget Breakdown
| Category | Monterrey | Edinburgh | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (avg 1BR) | $2,597 | $2,441 | +$156 |
| Groceries | $1,076 | $830 | +$246 |
| Dining Out | $575 | $636 | $61 |
| Transportation | $112 | $221 | $109 |
| Utilities | $250 | $506 | $256 |
| Other / Misc | $390 | $366 | +$24 |
| Total | $5,000 | $5,000 | — |
Purchasing Power
Monterrey
$5,000
per month
Edinburgh equivalent
$7,780
per month
You'd need $7,780/mo in Edinburgh to match $5,000/mo in Monterrey.
Other Budget Levels
FAQ
Can I live in Monterrey on $5,000/month?
Living in Monterrey on $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Budget allocates ~$2,597 to rent, $1,076 to groceries, $575 to dining.
Can I live in Edinburgh on $5,000/month?
In Edinburgh, $5,000/mo is rated "Comfortable". Allocations: $2,441 rent, $830 groceries, $636 dining.
Is Monterrey or Edinburgh cheaper?
Monterrey is generally cheaper. COL+Rent: Monterrey 25.9 vs Edinburgh 40.3 (NYC=100).
What is $5,000/mo in Monterrey worth in Edinburgh?
$5,000/mo of purchasing power in Monterrey equals ~$7,780/mo in Edinburgh using COL adjustment.