Townleap

Cost of Living: Ajijic vs Cancun (2026)

Mexico vs Mexico — relocation comparison

TL;DRCancun is 16% cheaper on rent ($737/mo vs $879/mo). Ajijic is safer — homicide rate 24.9 vs 26.1 per 100k. Neither city will test your commitment to owning a coat.
52
Livability Score
🇲🇽 Ajijic
Mexico
Full profile
50
Livability Score
🇲🇽 Cancun
Mexico
Full profile
Ajijic and Cancun are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin.
💰
Cost of Living
Cancun
$142/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Ajijic
24.9 homicides per 100k
☀️
Weather
26°C vs 32°C summers
Ajijic
Metric
Cancun
$879/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$737/mo
$247/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$573/mo
🧳
Cost to land
$2,961
24.9 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
26.1 / 100k
26°C
☀️
Summer high
32°C
12°C
❄️
Winter low
20°C
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
8.3 μg/m³
5.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.3 / 10
20/100
🗣️
Street English
20/100
$26k
💼
GDP per capita
$26k
4.7% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
4.7% · Boringly steady
52 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
50 / 100

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
declining

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

The Short Version

  • Rent is 16% cheaper in Cancun ($737/mo vs $879/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Cancun (32°C vs 26°C).
  • Ajijic is safer by homicide rate (24.9 vs 26.1 per 100k).

Ajijic vs Cancun — Common Questions

Is Ajijic cheaper than Cancun?

Cancun is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $737/month in Cancun vs $879/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Ajijic or Cancun?

Ajijic is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Ajijic has a rate of 24.86 per 100,000 and Cancun has 26.11 per 100,000.

Should I move to Ajijic or Cancun?

Ajijic and Cancun are almost suspiciously well-matched. Flip a coin. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Which has better weather, Ajijic or Cancun?

Cancun is warmer in summer (32°C vs 26°C). Ajijic has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Don't agree? Take the quiz and see what fits you.

Factor in your salary, family size, weather preferences, and deal-breakers.