Top 10 Safest Places to Live in Mexico: A 2023 Comprehensive Guide

If you’re considering relocating to a safest place in mexico to live, you’ll find no shortage of appealing options. Mexico has become an increasingly popular destination for retirees, remote workers, and expatriates seeking a combination of favorable climate, cultural richness, and low cost of living. The challenge, however, lies in identifying which communities genuinely balance safety with affordability—two factors that often determine quality of life for newcomers.

To help identify the most livable communities, an analysis of multiple Mexican cities was conducted based on security metrics and popularity among expats. Data sources included the Mexico Peace Index by Institute for Economics & Peace, along with cost-of-living platforms such as Vivanuncios, Numbeo, and LivingCost.org. The resulting rankings examined each location’s homicide rates, violent crime statistics, firearms-related incidents, organized crime presence, and detention practices to create an overall security assessment.

Understanding Mexico’s Safe Communities

Mexico’s reputation for crime has overshadowed its tremendous appeal to international relocators. While organized crime and violent incidents do occur in certain regions, numerous cities have maintained strong security records and offer comfortable living environments. The key to successful relocation lies in researching neighborhoods thoroughly and understanding local conditions before making a move.

Cities ranked as the safest place in mexico to live for foreign nationals typically feature strong police presence, active expatriate communities, established amenities, and reasonable housing markets. Many have become thriving hubs where international residents coexist peacefully with local populations, creating diverse and welcoming environments.

The Safest Mexican Cities by Security Index

Southern and Central Rankings: Mazatlan Through Aguascalientes

Mazatlan, Sinaloa leads the rankings with a security index of 1.220. Home to approximately 502,000 residents, the coastal city offers relatively accessible housing. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center rents for approximately 10,333 MXN ($617 USD), with family-of-four monthly expenses around 37,596 MXN ($2,246 USD) including rent. Property purchases run about 2,615 MXN ($156 USD) per square foot downtown.

Puebla, Puebla follows closely with a 1.215 security index. This city of significant cultural heritage provides more affordable rental options—a one-bedroom apartment averages 7,486 MXN ($447 USD) monthly. Average home prices hover around 1,155,664 MXN ($69,039 USD), with purchase costs at 1,219 MXN ($72.84 USD) per square foot.

Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes presents an even more budget-friendly option with a 1.117 security rating. A one-bedroom apartment rents for 4,700 MXN ($280 USD), while three-bedroom units cost 9,713 MXN ($580 USD). Average home prices reach 892,205 MXN ($53,300 USD), with monthly food expenses for one person approximately 3,448 MXN ($206 USD).

Western Mexican Options: Jalisco’s Safe Communities

Three cities share identical security indices of 1.009, representing some of Mexico’s safest destinations:

Ocotlán, Jalisco offers 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom homes for purchase at 1,100,000 MXN ($65,714 USD), with rental prices ranging from 6,511 to 13,391 MXN ($389 to $800 USD) monthly.

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco attracts many expat families with monthly expenses of 38,646 MXN ($2,310 USD) excluding rent for a family of four. Three-bedroom city-center apartments rent for 34,572 MXN ($2,065 USD), though suburban options cost approximately half that amount. Basic utilities average 1,351 MXN ($80 USD).

Guadalajara, Jalisco requires approximately 41,102 MXN ($2,457 USD) monthly for a family of four (excluding rent). Utilities cost around 821 MXN ($49 USD), with three-bedroom apartments outside city limits averaging 14,824 MXN ($885 USD).

Premium Safe Haven: Merida, Yucatan

Mérida, Yucatán achieves the highest safety rating at 1.008, featuring the lowest violent crime rates among the surveyed cities. Housing flexibility ranges widely—rentals span from 10,043 to 334,784 MXN ($600 to $2,000 USD) monthly, while purchase prices average 3,097,813 MXN ($185,063 USD). Monthly food costs per person are approximately 5,021 MXN ($300 USD).

The Tamaulipas Trio: Mexico’s Most Secure Safest Place in Mexico to Live

Three cities in Tamaulipas state share the lowest security indices at 0.866, making them statistically the safest options for relocation:

Altamira, Tamaulipas hosts just over 212,000 residents and balances safety with significant affordability. Homes for sale range from 950,000 to 3,545,000 MXN ($56,730 to $211,694 USD).

Tampico, Tamaulipas allows individuals to live on approximately 11,985 MXN ($716 USD) monthly excluding rent. Food expenses average 5,038 MXN ($301 USD) per person, with typical home prices at 14,806 MXN ($884 USD) per square meter.

Ciudad Madero, Tamaulipas offers the most economical option overall, with monthly living costs of 11,717 MXN ($700 USD) per person excluding rent—or 28,908 MXN ($1,727 USD) for a family of four. Food budgets range from 4,720 to 12,336 MXN ($282 to $737 USD) monthly depending on household size.

Making Your Decision: Balancing Safety and Cost

Selecting a safest place in mexico to live requires weighing multiple factors beyond security ratings and price tags. Consider your lifestyle preferences, proximity to healthcare and international communities, climate preferences, and long-term residency plans.

The Tamaulipas communities offer unparalleled security metrics and minimum expenses, making them ideal for budget-conscious retirees. Jalisco’s cities appeal to those seeking established expatriate networks and cultural amenities. Mérida provides the optimal balance between exceptional safety ratings and moderate costs, while maintaining strong tourism infrastructure. Southern options like Puebla and Mazatlan deliver cultural authenticity with manageable expenses.

Research current conditions before committing to relocation, as cost-of-living figures reflect 2023 estimates and local conditions evolve. Most of these safest places in Mexico to live feature established expatriate communities, English-speaking services, and stable local governance—factors that enhance quality of life beyond what simple statistics can convey.