Mexico
Close proximity to the US with accessible residency options.
Overview
Mexico offers temporary and permanent residency pathways based on income or assets. Its proximity to the US makes it practical for those maintaining US ties. Planning coverage includes tax analysis and cost-of-living comparisons.
Planning readiness
Travel advisory coverageCost of living coverageCurrency reference coverageQuality of life coverageTax analysis coverageVisa summary coverage
At a glance
Language
- Spanish(De facto)
Population124,777,324
CurrencyMexican Peso (MXN)
1 MXN = 0.0590 USD
1 USD = 16.9557 MXN
Popular places
Mexico
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerWeaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of Life IndexStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
Healthcare IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexModerateSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexModerateSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Citizenship, Tourist / Visa Waiver, Permanent Residency, and 2 more.
Citizenship
- Citizenship by Naturalization
Naturalization-by-residence guidance from the foreign ministry. The page says applicants must show temporary-resident or permanent-resident status in Mexico for the five years immediately preceding the application.
- 5 years
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Forma Migratoria Múltiple (FMM)
Single-entry visitor status obtained electronically for land entry, without permission to work.
- 180 days
- No work rights
Permanent Residency
- Permanent Resident Visa
SRE consular guidance describes permanent resident visa categories for retirees or pensioners and for qualifying family-unity applicants tied to Mexican citizens or foreign permanent residents.
Languages
- Spanish(De facto)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Mexico.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Mexico due to high levels of criminal activity and kidnapping.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). State of Baja California.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tijuana, except:
- airside transit through Tijuana airport
- the Cross Border Xpress bridge from the airport linking terminals across the Mexican-US border
- the federal toll road 1D and Via Rápida through Tijuana to the border
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the city of Tecate in Baja California, including roads between Tijuana and Tecate. State of Chihuahua.
FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the state of Chihuahua, except:
- the city of Chihuahua
- the border crossing in Ciudad Juárez (accessed by federal toll road 45)
- federal toll road 45D
Start planning your move
Choose a scenario to get started:
