What rent and the move cost
Monthly rent and utilities for a one-bedroom, plus the one-time cost of getting there and settling in. The move covers the visa fee, a one-way flight with three extra bags (averaged across five US airports), three weeks of temporary lodging, the apartment move-in, a starter kit for the new place and a 10% cushion.
| City size | Example cities | Rent, 1BR | Utilities | One-time move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big city | Mexico City, Monterrey | $1,329 | $115 | $6,965 |
| Mid-size city | Guadalajara, Playa del Carmen, Puerto Vallarta | $893 | $95 | $5,049 |
| Smaller town | Merida, Oaxaca, Queretaro | $649 | $85 | $3,906 |
Not included: groceries, transport and health insurance. Amounts in US dollars at the exchange rates in the planner’s data.
Getting in and staying
US citizens can usually stay up to 180 days on a tourist entry.
The planner’s main route is the temporary resident visa. To qualify, you’d need to show about $4,414 a month in income, or about $18,612 in savings. The application fee in the planner is about $57.
Visa rules change often. Check the official immigration or consular page before you apply. Our sources page explains where these figures come from.
Signing a lease
Plan on about 2.7 months’ rent up front when you sign: a one-month deposit, the first month and a rental guarantee policy (póliza jurídica). In a mid-size city that’s about $2,411.
Language and time zone
Low English proficiency (EF EPI 2025). Expect to use a translation app outside tourist areas. When it’s 9 a.m. in New York, it’s 8 a.m. in Mexico City. That makes US working hours easy to keep.
Worth knowing
The temporary resident visa is usually started at a Mexican consulate before you move, not from inside Mexico on a tourist entry, so check appointment times at the consulate you’d use. Rent in Mexico City and Monterrey runs about 50% higher than in Guadalajara or Playa del Carmen.
See where you fit
The 1-minute quiz matches your income, savings and the kind of place you want with three of these ten countries. The Expat Relocation Planner builds the full budget for Mexico with your own airport, household and savings.
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