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
26/100
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 ≥ ~$2,600/mo. 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 53% of 97 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 ≥ ~$2,600/mo. 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 ~$55/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
Low
English proficiency
English proficiency is low. Learning at least basic Spanish isn't optional — it's survival.
Will the government leave you alone?
Democracy, freedom, and regime vibes
5.1/10
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: IMSS covers formal workers; many expats rely on affordable private care
Before residency: Emergency care available to everyone. IMSS public system covers employed residents. Pre-residency: private insurance recommended (~$50/mo). Private healthcare is excellent and surprisingly affordable in major cities. (private insurance ~$55/mo)
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: 5.1/10 democracy index. Research Mexico City carefully.
- ✗ Spanish is essential in Mexico City. Factor in language school.
This is the settler summary. For the full data dump:
Full Mexico City profile →