Best Cities in Mexico to Live In 2026
8 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Ajijic
52/100Cancun
50/100Merida
50/100San Miguel de Allende
50/100Playa del Carmen
48/100Tulum
47/100Puerto Vallarta
45/100Mexico City
44/100Compare cities in Mexico
❓ Living in Mexico — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Mexico?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Ajijic ranks #1 in Mexico with a score of 52/100, and city-centre rent from around $879/month.
What is the cheapest city in Mexico?▾
Merida has the most affordable city-centre rent in our Mexico data, at around $601/month for a 1-bedroom apartment.
What is the safest city in Mexico?▾
By UNODC homicide rate data, Ajijic is the safest city in Mexico in our database, with a rate of 24.9 per 100,000 people.
Should I move to Ajijic or Cancun?▾
Ajijic scores 52/100 on our Livability Score vs 50/100 for Cancun. Rent is $879/mo in Ajijic vs $737/mo in Cancun. See the full comparison at the bottom of this page.
How do I get long-term residency or a visa to live in Mexico?▾
Mexico offers the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa (moderate process). Duration: 1–4 years. Key requirement: Proof of income ≥ ~$4,400/mo (or ~$74k savings). Apply at Mexican consulate in your home country.. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.