Move to Mexico
8 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
Path to PR
Homicides / 100k
English level
How to actually stay
Visas, residency, and the paperwork mountain between you and a lease
Every route into Mexico we've verified against official sources — not just the one your recruiter knows about. Set your passport to sort these by what you can actually use.
Live off what you already have
Pensions, dividends, rent — money that arrives without you working.
$2,800/mo income · 1–2 mo · PR in ~4y
In-depth guides
4 years
to permanent residency
5 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires basic Spanish and a Mexican history & civics test.
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
8 cities ranked by Livability Score — the one number that rolls up rent, safety, democracy, and internet
Cancun
52/100Ajijic
51/100Merida
51/100San Miguel de Allende
48/100Playa del Carmen
46/100Puerto Vallarta
45/100Tulum
45/100Mexico City
44/100What it costs to exist
Real monthly numbers, not what the expat blog says
$1,435
priciest 1BR / mo
Rent + food + transport + utilities, averaged across 8 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 (PPP)
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
59
/100Freedom House score
#135 of 163
Global Peace Index
#124
Press freedom rank
Do they want you here?
How the locals feel about people who moved in — public sentiment, not immigration law
4.8
/9Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index — #95 of 140. Last asked in 2016.
Is Mexico safe?
Homicide rates and the stats that matter for sleeping at night
Do your research. Seriously.
Safest tracked city: Ajijic (24.9 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 52/100. City-centre rent starts around $737/month.
How much does it cost to live in Mexico?▾
City-centre 1-bedroom rent ranges from $601 to $1435/month across our 8 tracked cities. Average monthly solo expenses are around $2,353.
How do I get permanent residency in Mexico?▾
The path to permanent residency in Mexico typically takes 4 years. Citizenship is possible after 5 years. Note: Requires basic Spanish and a Mexican history & civics test.
Is Mexico a democracy?▾
Mexico scores 5.32/10 on the EIU Democracy Index and is classified as a "Hybrid regime." It ranks #135 of 163 on the Global Peace Index.
Is Mexico safe to live in?▾
The average homicide rate across our tracked cities in Mexico is 25.5 per 100,000 people. Research specific neighborhoods before committing.