Moving to Mexico City
A step-by-step guide for people who actually plan to stay in Mexico City, Mexico. Not a vacation itinerary.
Monthly cost
$1,672
solo, city centre
Livability
44/100
rough
Safety
27/100
Do your homework
PR timeline
4 yrs
citizenship: 5y
How to move to Mexico City
Visas, residency, and the paperwork you can't avoid
Mexico Temporary Resident Visa
Some paperworkDuration: 1–4 years
Proof of income ≥ ~$4,400/mo (or ~$74k savings). Apply at Mexican consulate in your home country.
Visa difficulty by nationality
4 years
to permanent residency
5 years
to citizenship
⚠️ Requires basic Spanish and a Mexican history & civics test.
Work permit accessibility: moderate
What it costs to move to Mexico City
First-month sticker shock, decoded
Day-one setup cost
$1,173
1-bed, city centre / mo
Cheaper than 52% of 124 cities
$2,695
3-bed, city centre / mo
Monthly burn (solo)
$1,672/moRent + groceries + transport + utilities. No avocado toast budget.
Housing friction
Easy1–7 days, straightforward
- •Passport sufficient; some landlords want fiador (guarantor) or aval
- •1–2 months' deposit
- •Inmuebles24 / Facebook main platforms
- •Abundant furnished options in expat-friendly colonias
First month in Mexico City
The to-do list nobody gives you at the airport
- ☐
Apply for Mexico Temporary Resident Visa
1–4 years. Proof of income ≥ ~$4,400/mo (or ~$74k savings). Apply at Mexican consulate in your home country.
- ☐
Open a local bank account
Bring a Spanish-speaking friend or prepare for mime-based banking
- ☐
Get a local SIM card
~$30/mo for 10GB+
- ☐
Find an apartment
Expect 1–7 days, straightforward. Housing friction: Easy.
- ☐
Have $4,269 ready for move-in costs
First month + 1mo deposit + furniture
- ☐
Register with local authorities
Most countries require address registration within 30 days
- ☐
Get health insurance
Private insurance ~$120/mo until residency kicks in
- ☐
Start learning basic Spanish
Not optional. Download Duolingo before the plane lands
Language in Mexico City
Can you order coffee without pointing?
Spanish
primary language
Very Low
English proficiency
English proficiency is very low. Learning at least basic Spanish isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
5.3/10
democracy index (EIU)
⚠️ Hybrid regime
regime type
#135 of 163
Global Peace Index (lower = more peaceful)
Travel advisory: Level 2 — Exercise increased caution
FCDO advises against travel to some regions.
Is Mexico City safe?
Crime stats for people who read footnotes
🚨
Do your homework
26.1
homicides per 100k
Crime index: 67/100
Elevated. Research neighborhoods carefully before signing a lease.
Weather in Mexico City
What the thermometer actually says
24°C
summer highs
7°C
winter lows
33 Mbps
average download speed
If you get sick
Healthcare access for new arrivals
System: Residents can buy into IMSS, but many retirees still keep private hospital access for anything time-sensitive.
Before residency: Before you hold resident status, treat Mexico City as a private-pay or private-insurance market. IMSS access comes after legal residency and enrollment. (private insurance ~$120/mo)
Specialist wait time: Fast privately, variable in IMSS
The honest take
What we'd tell a friend
Going for it
- ✓ Mexico City is a startup hub. Real VCs, real deals.
- ✓ PR in Mexico in 4y via Mexico City. Commitment pays off.
Think twice about
- ✗ 26.1/100k homicide rate in Mexico City. Research neighborhoods first.
- ✗ Mexico: 5.3/10 democracy index. Research Mexico City carefully.
- ✗ Spanish is essential in Mexico City. Factor in language school.
More on Mexico City
Is Mexico City safe to live in?
Yes, in expat-favored neighborhoods — Roma, Condesa, Polanco, and Coyoacán are comparable to safe zones in any major Western city. Mexico City's homicide rate has been declining since 2018. The expat-popular neighborhoods have consistent police presence, walkable streets, and low crime. Areas to avoid include Tepito and parts of Iztapalapa. The main practical safety rules: use Uber/Cabify instead of street taxis, avoid displaying expensive items in crowded transit, and stay aware in unfamiliar colonias at night. (INEGI National Survey of Urban Public Safety (ENSU))
How much money do I need to qualify for Mexican residency?
About $4,400/month in income or $74,000 in savings for a Temporary Resident visa as of 2026. Mexico's Temporary Resident visa requires proof of economic solvency. Consulates require approximately $4,400/month in income shown over the last 6 months, or approximately $74,000 in bank savings maintained over the last 12 months. You cannot combine partial income and partial savings. For Permanent Residency, the thresholds are higher: roughly $4,200+/month income or $175,000+ in savings. (Mexperience — Financial Criteria for Residency in Mexico)
Do I need to speak Spanish to live in Mexico City?
You can survive without it in expat enclaves, but daily life is significantly harder and more expensive without basic Spanish. In gentrified neighborhoods like Roma, Condesa, and Polanco, many restaurants have English-speaking staff. But outside these zones — markets, repair shops, government offices, healthcare — almost everything is in Spanish only. Most long-term expats report that even basic conversational Spanish dramatically reduces frustration and lowers costs. (Mexico Relocation Guide)
What is the cost of living in Mexico City?
A single person can live comfortably for $1,300–1,700/month, roughly 57% cheaper than New York City. Rent is the biggest variable: a one-bedroom in Roma Norte runs $1,000–1,100/month, while nearby Del Valle or Narvarte drops to $600–700. Street food and fonda lunches cost $4–6, and groceries run $200–300/month. The Metro costs 5 pesos (~$0.26) per ride. The main cost trap is that expat-oriented neighborhoods have gentrified significantly. (Numbeo Cost of Living — Mexico City)
What is the healthcare like in Mexico City?
Excellent at private hospitals — several are JCI-accredited and affiliated with US networks like Mayo Clinic. Mexico City has some of the best private healthcare in Latin America. Hospital Médica Sur is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic network, and Centro Médico ABC is JCI-accredited. A private consultation costs $40–80, and even complex procedures are a fraction of US prices. Most expats carry private insurance ($50–150/month) for access to the private system. (TheLatinvestor — Mexico City Expat Guide)
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Mexico City profile →