Moving to Mexico from the US
Everything an American needs to plan a move to Mexico in 2026: which city actually fits your budget and lifestyle, what it really costs, and the visa path to get there.
Visa paths for Americans
The main routes into Mexico for US citizens are the Temporary Resident Visa and the Permanent Resident Visa. We walk both through end to end in the Mexico Temporary Resident Visa: the full guide, or see how they stack up against other countries in our visa comparisons.
Choose your city in Mexico
Mexico City (CDMX)
21 million people, an altitude that surprises everyone (2,240m), and a food scene that justifies the move on its own.
Playa del Carmen
Caribbean beach town that grew up.
San Miguel de Allende
Colonial UNESCO town turned American expat capital.
Oaxaca
Cultural capital of southern Mexico.
Tulum
Caribbean coast, jungle, cenotes, and a real-estate boom that has run completely off the rails since 2020.
Cost of living by city (2026)
| City | 1BR rent | 2BR rent | Groceries (solo) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mexico City (CDMX) | 600–1,000 USD | 900–1,400 USD | 200–300 USD |
| Playa del Carmen | 700–1,100 USD | 1,000–1,500 USD | 250–350 USD |
| San Miguel de Allende | 800–1,400 USD | 1,100–1,800 USD | 230–320 USD |
| Oaxaca | 500–800 USD | 700–1,100 USD | 200–280 USD |
| Tulum | 900–1,400 USD | 1,300–1,900 USD | 300–400 USD |
Plan your Mexico move end to end
GoThere has the visa checklist, cost calculator, and document tracker for Mexico, ready to use today.