Best cities to live in Mexico (2026)
8 cities ranked by Livability Score — affordability, safety, internet, democracy & climate.
Country at a Glance
Path to PR
Cancun
52/100Ajijic
49/100Merida
48/100San Miguel de Allende
48/100Playa del Carmen
46/100Tulum
45/100Mexico City
44/100Puerto Vallarta
44/100Compare cities in Mexico
❓ Living in Mexico — Common Questions
What is the best city to live in Mexico?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Cancun ranks #1 in Mexico with a score of 52/100, and city-centre rent from around $737/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 Cancun or Ajijic?▾
Cancun scores 52/100 on our Livability Score vs 49/100 for Ajijic. Rent is $737/mo in Cancun vs $879/mo in Ajijic. 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 ≥ ~MXN 46,924/mo (400× daily UMA, or ~$74k savings). Apply at Mexican consulate in your home country.. The process is moderate difficulty. Check individual city pages for full details.
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