Move to Mexico
4 cities, one country, zero sugar-coating. Residency paths, real costs, and whether the government will leave you alone.
Mexico at a Glance
1BR rent / mo
Democracy index
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Visa routes we know about
Can your partner work?
Because 'trailing spouse' shouldn't mean 'trailing income'
Dependents receive residence but need a separate work permit (permiso de trabajo) to be employed locally.
Source: official guidance
Where to land in Mexico
4 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,173
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 4 cities. No gym membership, no brunch budget.
How rich is everyone, really
GDP, taxes, and other numbers politicians argue about
$26,185
GDP per capita
2.7%
Unemployment
4.7%
Inflation
High inequality — gated communities exist for a reason.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, press freedom, and whether you should use a VPN
5.32/10
⚠️ Hybrid regime
Is Mexico safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Do your research. Seriously.
Safest tracked city: Cancun (26.1 per 100k)
Can you order coffee?
The language situation, no sugarcoating
Spanish
Primary language
Very Low
English proficiency (#103 globally)
English won't carry you far here. Learning Spanish isn't optional — it's the price of admission.
❓ Moving to Mexico — Common Questions
What is the best city to move to in Mexico?▾
Based on our Livability Score, Cancun ranks #1 in Mexico with a score of 50/100. City-centre rent starts around $737/month.
How much does it cost to live in Mexico?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $737 to $1173/month across our 4 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $1,531.
Is Mexico a democracy?▾
Mexico scores 5.32/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Hybrid regime."
Is Mexico safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Mexico is 26.1 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.