Townleap

Cost of Living: Ajijic vs Tulum (2026)

Mexico vs Mexico — relocation comparison

TL;DRAjijic is 16% cheaper on rent ($879/mo vs $1045/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
47
Livability Score
🇲🇽 Tulum
Mexico
Full profile
Ajijic edges ahead 52 to 47. Tulum isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
💰
Cost of Living
Ajijic
$166/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
Ajijic
24.9 homicides per 100k
☀️
Weather
26°C vs 32°C summers
🗣️
English
Tulum
higher proficiency score
Ajijic
Metric
Tulum
$879/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$1045/mo
$247/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$279/mo
24.9 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
26.1 / 100k
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
47 / 100
26°C
☀️
Summer high
32°C
12°C
❄️
Winter low
19°C
Internet speed
41 Mbps
5.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
5.3 / 10
20/100
🗣️
Street English
19/100
$26k
💼
GDP per capita
$24k
4.7% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
4.7% · Boringly steady
52 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
47 / 100
🗽
Freedom House
58/100

Settler Essentials

Democracy trend
declining

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

The Short Version

  • Rent is 16% cheaper in Ajijic ($879/mo vs $1045/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Tulum (32°C vs 26°C).
  • Ajijic is safer by homicide rate (24.9 vs 26.1 per 100k).

Ajijic vs Tulum — Common Questions

Is Ajijic cheaper than Tulum?

Ajijic is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $879/month in Ajijic vs $1045/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, Ajijic or Tulum?

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

Should I move to Ajijic or Tulum?

Ajijic edges ahead 52 to 47. Tulum isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Tulum?

Tulum 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.