The best places to live in Mexico for expats and digital nomads
San Miguel de Allende, Playa del Carmen, Mérida, and Mexico City are some of the best places to live in Mexico. They are the majority's favourite places thanks to their modern infrastructure, affordable living, and vibrant culture. They also offer reliable internet, numerous coworking spaces, and diversified communities.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- San Miguel de Allende, Playa del Carmen, Mérida, and Mexico City are some of the best places to live in Mexico.
- The best places to live in Mexico stand out for offering the perfect balance of cost of living and lifestyle, making them a better option for individuals looking to work and live abroad.
- Easy access to public transport, a reliable internet connection, and multiple coworking spaces make these places suitable for expats.
- Expats and digital nomads prefer the fast-paced urban life in Mexico City combined with international job opportunities, cultural attractions and diverse neighbourhoods.
- For breathtaking scenes, many people are attracted to the likes of San Miguel de Allende and Puerto Vallarta.
- Expats and digital nomads enjoy low crime rates, peaceful environs, and affordable health care in places such as Mérida.
Best places to live in Mexico
To rank the best places to live in Mexico, we considered several factors, including reliable internet, cost of living, reduced crime rates, and scenic views. We used reliable sources such as International Living and Finance Buzz to evaluate places that would be best suited for digital nomads and expats.
| Name | Cost of Living (Per Month) | Why It Stands Out |
| Mexico City | $1,400–$2,800 | Diverse neighbourhoods, reliable internet, and thriving cultural |
| Playa del Carmen | $1,200–$2,850 | Fast internet, coworking spaces, and an international community |
| Mérida | $850–$1,100 | Safety, colonial charm, and reliable infrastructure |
| Puerto Vallarta | $1,200–$2,500 | Friendly locals, ocean views, and an active expat community |
| Guadalajara | $1,000–$1,600 | Mexico's tech and arts hub, and solid infrastructure |
| San Miguel de Allende | $1,500–$2,500 | Historic charm, walkable street, and a vibrant expat community |
| Tulum | $1,600–$3,000 | Beach town, yoga retreats, boutique hotels, and coworking spaces |
| Oaxaca City | $900–$1,400 | Rich traditions, low costs, and excellent cuisine |
| Querétaro | $1,000–$1,700 | Safe, clean, and business-friendly |
| La Paz | $1,000–$1,800 | Peaceful, stunning sunsets, and affordable living |
1. Mexico City
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- Cost of Living: $1,400–$2,800/month
- Why It Stands Out: Diverse neighbourhoods, reliable internet, and thriving cultural
Mexico City is one of the nicest places to live in Mexico, thanks to its unique blend of tradition and innovation. Remote workers are largely attracted to neighbourhoods such as Condesa, Roma, and Polanco due to their reliable internet, safe streets, and coworking spaces.
In addition, the city has an excellent public transport system and a thriving cultural scene. The wide variety of local and international cuisines makes it stand out. Despite being a major metropolis, Mexico City remains affordable compared to other global capitals.
2. Playa del Carmen
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- Cost of Living: $1,200–$2,850/month
- Why It Stands Out: Fast internet, coworking spaces, and an international community
Playa del Carmen is a popular destination for digital nomads seeking beachside living with modern conveniences. Some of the stand-out features include coworking hubs, fast internet, and a fast-growing community of digital nomads. Places such as Nest and Bunker have become great coworking spaces.
Playa has easy access to the beach and a walkable downtown. Its location, along the Riviera Maya, makes the city a tourist attraction, drawing thousands of visitors annually. In terms of the cost of living, the place is more affordable when compared to neighbouring cities. Digital nomads and expats are also drawn to Playa del Carmen by the balance of community, weather, and lifestyle.
3. Mérida
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- Cost of Living: $850–$1,100/month
- Why It Stands Out: Safety, colonial charm, and reliable infrastructure
Which is the safest place to live in Mexico? Mérida is one of the top choices, especially for families and expats. It has a reduced crime rate and a significantly strong sense of community. These two factors have been handy in the city's ranking as one of the most secure cities in Latin America.
The city stands out for affordable housing and a stable internet connection, which has enabled the steady growth of digital nomads. In addition, the rich cultural traditions combined with a slower-paced lifestyle have made the city more appealing to individuals looking for safety, comfort, and local immersion.
4. Puerto Vallarta
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- Cost of Living: $1,200–$2,500/month
- Why It Stands Out: Friendly locals, ocean views, and a strong, active expat community
Puerto Vallarta is a coastal city known for its vibrant expat scene and welcoming atmosphere. It attracts digital nomads, retirees, and LGBTQ+ travellers with its mix of beach life and urban convenience.
The city has good public transport, reliable internet, and a walkable town centre. Puerto Vallarta is also home to a large and active foreign community, particularly from the U.S. and Canada. It has an international airport and a wide range of amenities, making it a practical yet relaxed choice for people looking for a long-term stay.
5. Guadalajara
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- Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,600/month
- Why It Stands Out: Mexico's tech and arts hub and solid infrastructure
Guadalajara is the place where most foreigners live in Mexico, largely due to the city's culture, growing technology hub, and innovation. It offers a lower cost of living than Mexico City while maintaining strong infrastructure and public services.
Remote workers choose this city for its historic architecture, vibrant arts scene, and reliable internet. Chapalita and Americana neighbourhoods attract many people because of their walkability and café culture. Most expats enjoy a comfortable and connected lifestyle in Guadalajara due to the seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
6. San Miguel de Allende
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- Cost of Living: $1,500–$2,500/month
- Why It Stands Out: Historic charm, walkable street, and a vibrant expat community
San Miguel de Allende is a UNESCO World Heritage city known for its colonial charm and thriving expat community. Thousands of foreigners, especially artists and retirees, are drawn to the city's walkable streets, mild climate, and a strong sense of community.
San Miguel boasts a good healthcare system, reliable utilities and numerous art galleries, local markets, and cafés. The safety and quality of life make it ideal for long-term stays, despite the living cost being higher than in other cities. Also, newcomers can settle in easily thanks to the English-speaking support services and a vibrant cultural life.
7. Tulum
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- Cost of Living: $1,600–$3,000/month
- Why It Stands Out: Beach town, yoga retreats, boutique hotels, and coworking spaces
Tulum is the best part of Mexico to live in as an expat, digital nomad, wellness seeker, or eco-conscious traveller. The city stands out for its laid-back beach lifestyle that comes with easy access to boutique hotels and yoga studios. Co.Co.Working and Digital Jungle are some of the popular coworking spaces in Tulum.
Despite boasting a high cost of living, many people are still attracted to Tulum thanks to its natural beauty and alternative living options. In addition, remote workers prefer this town because it has decent internet, bike-friendly streets, and a significantly growing expat scene. For these and more features, Tulum has remained a hotspot for short- to medium-term digital stays.
8. Oaxaca City
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- Cost of Living: $900–$1,400/month
- Why It Stands Out: Rich traditions, low costs, and excellent cuisine
Oaxaca City is known for its rich culture, historic charm, and affordable cost of living. It boasts a vibrant local scene that enables expats and digital nomads to enjoy cultural festivities and cuisines. They also enjoy the walkable streets, low cost of living, and creative atmosphere.
For home users, internet speeds vary from one neighbourhood to another, but for digital nomads in search of coworking spaces, the city offers a few reliable options. Overall, Oaxaca City is ideal for individuals looking to immerse themselves in local culture while keeping expenses low.
9. Querétaro
Source: Getty Images
- Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,700/month
- Why It Stands Out: Safe, clean, and business-friendly
Querétaro is a modern, business-friendly city with colonial roots and a strong sense of order and safety. It offers clean streets, good infrastructure, and proximity to Mexico City without the capital's high prices or congestion. Popular neighbourhoods like Juriquilla and Centro Histórico combine comfort, history, and modern amenities.
Numerous professionals and families prefer the city due to its affordable and easily accessible healthcare and education options. For expats, most highlight the city for its high quality of life and top security, especially in the mid-sized urban setting.
10. La Paz
Source: Getty Images
- Cost of Living: $1,000–$1,800/month
- Why It Stands Out: Peaceful, stunning sunsets, and affordable living
La Paz is one of the most peaceful coastal cities on the Baja California peninsula. It is known and preferred by expats and digital nomads due to its natural beauty and slow-paced life. The city provides a more affordable alternative compared to other Mexican cities, all while still offering desert landscapes and stunning beaches.
Over the years, the city has experienced an influx of expats, especially nature lovers, divers, and remote workers seeking tranquillity. La Paz has generally reliable internet connections and emerging coworking spaces, ideal for digital nomads. Also, the city stands out even more thanks to its breathtaking sunsets over the Sea of Cortez and its strong sense of community.
Final word
The best places to live in Mexico offer something for every expat or digital nomad looking for a quiet colonial town, energetic beach cities, and vibrant urban centres. Therefore, whether you are drawn to San Miguel de Allende's cultural richness, Mérida's warmth, or Mexico City's dynamic lifestyle, there are great options for long-term living and remote work.
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