🇲🇽 North America
Cities & towns in Mexico
Where you land inside Mexico matters more than the country itself. Browse the most popular cities for American expats, or take a 60-second quiz to surface the top 5 that fit your lifestyle.
Find your city in Mexico
Answer 8 quick questions about pace, beaches, transit, and budget — we'll rank the top 5 cities.
Mexico City
Pop. ~9.2M
Massive, cosmopolitan capital with great food, walkable neighborhoods, and same US time zones.
Walkability
8/10
Beach access
1/10
Expat community
10/10
Housing cost
5/10
Playa del Carmen
Pop. ~330,000
Caribbean beach town packed with digital nomads, retirees, and English speakers.
Walkability
8/10
Beach access
10/10
Expat community
9/10
Housing cost
5/10
Mérida
Pop. ~990,000
Safest big city in Mexico — colonial, slower-paced, and rapidly growing with US retirees.
Walkability
6/10
Beach access
4/10
Expat community
8/10
Housing cost
4/10
Oaxaca
Pop. ~270,000
Cultural and culinary capital — colorful, walkable, and increasingly popular with creatives.
Walkability
8/10
Beach access
2/10
Expat community
6/10
Housing cost
4/10
San Miguel de Allende
Pop. ~175,000
Picturesque colonial town long popular with American retirees and artists.
Walkability
8/10
Beach access
1/10
Expat community
10/10
Housing cost
6/10