Mexico
Retiring to Mexico from the US, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand. Mexico has a retirement residence route: Residencia temporal por solvencia económica, then residencia permanente (jubilado o pensionado) — temporary residence on financial means, then permanent residence as a retiree or pensioner. It requires USD $4,219 a month in income (Residencia temporal). Its public healthcare costs USD $1,090 a year at ages 60–69. We cover 22 towns across 13 states.
MXN $79,770.80 a month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 MXN $20,600 a year · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30Sources: Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston, 2026-09-26 · Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston, 2026-02-01 · IMSS: Seguro de Salud para la Familia — annual fees from 1 March 2026, 2026-09-26
The country figures on this page were checked at their official sources between Sep 26, 2026 and Oct 2, 2026; each one shows its own source and date.
Residency and healthcare · measured for Mexico
Residencia temporal
- Income
- USD $4,219 / month MXN $79,770.80 / month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 680 × UMA (MXN $117.31 per day, in force Feb 1, 2026) · Tax-free employment or pension income over each of the last 6 months.
- Or savings held
- USD $71,102 MXN $1,344,372.60 · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 11,460 × UMA (MXN $117.31 per day, in force Feb 1, 2026) · Average monthly balance over the last 12 months.
- Plus, per dependant
- USD $1,365 / month MXN $25,808.20 / month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 220 × UMA (MXN $117.31 per day, in force Feb 1, 2026) · Added per economic dependant.
Residencia permanente
- Income
- USD $7,073 / month MXN $133,733.40 / month · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 1,140 × UMA (MXN $117.31 per day, in force Feb 1, 2026) · Retired or pensioned: tax-free pension over each of the last 6 months.
- Or savings held
- USD $284,469 MXN $5,378,663.50 · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 45,850 × UMA (MXN $117.31 per day, in force Feb 1, 2026) · Average monthly balance over the last 12 months.
How this is measured
IMSS Seguro de Salud para la Familia, annual fee per person paid in advance, age band 60–69, in force from 1 March 2026. The band is part of the figure.
How this is measured
IMSS Seguro de Salud para la Familia, annual fee per person paid in advance, age band 70–79, in force from 1 March 2026.
How this is measured
IMSS Seguro de Salud para la Familia, annual fee per person paid in advance, age 80 and over, in force from 1 March 2026.
- Food 101.6
- Housing, water, electricity and gas 81.9
- Health 83.0
- Transport 94.5
- Restaurants and hotels 84.3
- Communication 68.8
- Clothing and footwear 88.0
- Overall average 74.7
Cite this
Source: ExpatAlmanac, "Prices against the world average in Mexico", https://expatalmanac.com/mexico, figures as of 2021; original data: World Bank, International Comparison Program 2021 (CC BY 4.0).
How you may quote us: terms of use.
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Plan Seguro — Plan Seguro Esencial, deductible MXN $12,615
woman USD $3,297 · man USD $3,468 a yearwoman MXN $62,336 · man MXN $65,569 a year · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 -
MAPFRE — Protección Médica a tu medida, deductible MXN $10,000
woman USD $4,083 · man USD $4,204 a yearwoman MXN $77,204 · man MXN $79,487 a year · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30 -
BBVA — Gastos Médicos Individual o Familiar, deductible MXN $12,000
woman USD $5,736 · man USD $5,247 a yearwoman MXN $108,456 · man MXN $99,203 a year · European Central Bank, euro foreign exchange reference rates, 2026-10-30
From United States
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (US–MX 1992, art. 19.1(a)) US–Mexico income tax convention (1992), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026
- State pension: Taxed only by the paying country (US–MX 1992, art. 19.1(b)) Social security benefits 'shall be taxable only in the first-mentioned State'. US–Mexico income tax convention (1992), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (US–MX 1992, art. 20.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Mexico. US–Mexico income tax convention (1992), IRS · checked Sep 26, 2026
Healthcare from home
Your home cover does not pay for care here (Medicare)
CMS: "In most situations, Medicare won't pay for health care or supplies you get outside the U.S." The exceptions are narrow (a nearer foreign hospital in a US emergency, Alaska–Canada transit, living in the US nearer a foreign hospital). Most Medigap plans (C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, M and N) cover foreign-travel emergency care: 80% of billed charges after a USD $250 yearly deductible, if the care begins in the first 60 days of a trip, to a USD $50,000 lifetime limit. CMS, Medicare Coverage Outside the United States (Product No. 11037, April 2026) · checked Sep 29, 2026Travel advice
U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov) — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Oct 2, 2026.From Canada
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–MX 2006, art. 17.1–2) Canada may also tax, capped at the lesser of 15 % of the gross periodic payment and the tax a Canadian resident would pay on it. Canada–Mexico income tax convention (2006), Department of Finance Canada · checked Oct 2, 2026
- State pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–MX 2006, art. 17.1–2) Canada may also tax, capped at the lesser of 15 % of the gross periodic payment and the tax a Canadian resident would pay on it. CPP and OAS fall under art. 17: the convention has no separate social-security clause. CRA's Non-resident Tax Calculator withholds 15 % on both for a resident of Mexico. Canada–Mexico income tax convention (2006), Department of Finance Canada · checked Oct 2, 2026
- Government-service pension: Both may tax, with relief (CA–MX 2006, art. 17.1–2) Canada may also tax, capped at the lesser of 15 % of the gross periodic payment and the tax a Canadian resident would pay on it. Art. 18 (Government Service) covers remuneration "other than a pension", so a government pension falls under art. 17. Canada–Mexico income tax convention (2006), Department of Finance Canada · checked Oct 2, 2026
Healthcare from home
Your home cover does not pay for care here (Provincial or territorial health plan)
Government of Canada: "Your provincial or territorial health plan may cover none, or only a small part, of the costs of your medical care abroad … It will never pay your bills up front." For living abroad it adds that travel insurance "is not intended to be used when you are living outside Canada for an extended period, or permanently". Each province or territory sets its own rule. Government of Canada, Trip interruption and travel health insurance (travel.gc.ca, modified 2026-09-02) · checked Oct 2, 2026Travel advice
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.From United Kingdom
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (UK–MX 1994 (2011 Protocol), art. 18) UK–Mexico double taxation convention (1994, as amended by the 2011 Protocol), GOV.UK · checked Sep 26, 2026
- State pension: Both may tax, with relief (UK–MX 1994 (2011 Protocol), art. 21(1) and 21(3)) HMRC does not treat the UK State Pension as paid 'in consideration of past employment', so it falls outside art. 18 and under Other Income (HMRC International Manual INTM343190, updated 2026-09-29). Art. 21(3) lets the state where the income arises also tax it: the UK may tax the State Pension at source, and Mexico, as the state of residence, relieves the double tax under art. 22. UK–Mexico double taxation convention (1994, as amended by the 2011 Protocol), GOV.UK · checked Sep 29, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (UK–MX 1994 (2011 Protocol), art. 19.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Mexico. UK–Mexico double taxation convention (1994, as amended by the 2011 Protocol), GOV.UK · checked Sep 26, 2026
Healthcare from home
No healthcare agreement between the two countries (Reciprocal healthcare agreements)
The UK's reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries do not include Mexico, and those it has cover visits, not living there. gov.uk, UK reciprocal healthcare agreements with non-EU countries (last updated 15 January 2025) · checked Sep 29, 2026Travel advice
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.From Ireland
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. No visa needed: the nationality is on INM's visa-exempt list (Países y regiones que no requieren visa). Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (IE–MX 1998, art. 18.1) Pensions 'in consideration of past employment'. Ireland–Mexico DTA (Dublin, 22 Oct 1998), Revenue · checked Sep 28, 2026
- State pension: Both may tax, with relief (IE–MX 1998, art. 21.1, 21.3) Ireland may also tax income that has its source in Ireland (art. 21.3). The treaty does not say whether the State Pension is a pension "in consideration of past employment" (art. 18.1, taxable only where you live) or other income (art. 21). This row follows the art. 21 reading, as HMRC does for the UK State Pension; Revenue publishes no guidance on it. Ireland–Mexico DTA (Dublin, 22 Oct 1998), Revenue · checked Oct 2, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (IE–MX 1998, art. 19.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Mexico. Ireland–Mexico DTA (Dublin, 22 Oct 1998), Revenue · checked Sep 28, 2026
Healthcare from home
No healthcare agreement between the two countries (European Health Insurance Card)
Ireland's EHIC "will not cover you for healthcare outside of the EU, other than Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein (EEA) and Switzerland". Citizens Information, The European Health Insurance Card (edited 16 July 2026) · checked Oct 2, 2026Travel advice
Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.From Australia
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. No visa needed: the nationality is on INM's visa-exempt list (Países y regiones que no requieren visa). Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (AU–MX 2002, art. 18.1) 'Pensions (including government pensions) and annuities paid to a resident' — not limited to employment. Australia–Mexico Agreement (Mexico City, 9 Sep 2002), Embassy of Mexico in Australia · checked Sep 28, 2026
- State pension: Taxed only where you live (AU–MX 2002, art. 18.1) Art. 18.1 covers all pensions, with no past-employment qualifier. Australia–Mexico Agreement (Mexico City, 9 Sep 2002), Embassy of Mexico in Australia · checked Sep 28, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only where you live (AU–MX 2002, art. 18.1) Art. 18.1 includes government pensions; art. 19 excludes pensions from government service. Australia–Mexico Agreement (Mexico City, 9 Sep 2002), Embassy of Mexico in Australia · checked Sep 28, 2026
Healthcare from home
No healthcare agreement between the two countries (Reciprocal Health Care Agreements)
Australia has reciprocal health care agreements with eleven countries — Belgium, Finland, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Ireland, Slovenia, Sweden and the United Kingdom — and they cover visits, not living there. Services Australia, About reciprocal health care agreements (last updated 15 September 2026) · checked Oct 2, 2026Travel advice
Australian Government (Smartraveller) — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Oct 2, 2026.From New Zealand
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · no visa · the officer sets the days at entry.
'Up to' 180 days — the immigration officer sets the days. No visa needed: the nationality is on INM's visa-exempt list (Países y regiones que no requieren visa). Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–MX 2006, art. 17.1) Acuerdo México–Nueva Zelandia, DOF 15 Jun 2007 · checked Sep 28, 2026
- State pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–MX 2006, art. 17.3) Stated explicitly: pensions paid under a State's social-security legislation to a resident of the other are taxable only in that other State. Acuerdo México–Nueva Zelandia, DOF 15 Jun 2007 · checked Sep 28, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only where you live (NZ–MX 2006, art. 17.1) Art. 17.1 includes government pensions. Acuerdo México–Nueva Zelandia, DOF 15 Jun 2007 · checked Sep 28, 2026
Healthcare from home
No healthcare agreement between the two countries (Reciprocal health agreements)
New Zealand has reciprocal health agreements with "Australia and the United Kingdom" only, and they cover visits, not moving there. Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora, Reciprocal health agreements (24 July 2026) · checked Sep 29, 2026Travel advice
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (SafeTravel) — advice for Mexico
Advice changes daily and varies by region, so we link to it rather than copy it. Link checked Sep 28, 2026.From South Africa
Visiting
Up to 180 days per visit · visa required · the officer sets the days at entry.
A Mexican visa is required — South Africa is on INM's visa-required list — unless the traveller holds a listed alternative (e.g. permanent residence or a valid visa of the US, Canada, the UK, Japan or a Schengen state). The visitor visa is valid up to 180 days. Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston · checked Sep 26, 2026Who may tax your pension here
- Private or workplace pension: Both may tax, with relief (ZA–MX 2009, art. 17.1) South Africa may also tax a pension arising there. South Africa–Mexico DTA, SARS (GG 33460) · checked Sep 28, 2026
- State pension: Both may tax, with relief (ZA–MX 2009, art. 17.1) South Africa may also tax a pension arising there. Art. 17.1 is not limited to employment pensions. South Africa–Mexico DTA, SARS (GG 33460) · checked Sep 28, 2026
- Government-service pension: Taxed only by the paying country (ZA–MX 2009, art. 18.2) Unless the recipient is both resident in and a national of Mexico. South Africa–Mexico DTA, SARS (GG 33460) · checked Sep 28, 2026
Healthcare from home
Not yet verified.Travel advice
Not yet linked.Cite this
Source: ExpatAlmanac, "Residency and healthcare in Mexico", https://expatalmanac.com/mexico, figures as of 2026; original data: Lineamientos Generales para la expedición de visas (SEGOB/SRE), DOF 25 Jul 2025 — copy published by the Consulate of Mexico in Houston; Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego: Temporary Resident Visa — Economic Solvency (2026); Ley del Seguro Social, arts. 240–242 (last reform DOF 15-01-2026); IMSS: Seguro de Salud para la Familia — annual fees from 1 March 2026; Banco de México: Ventas directas de dólares en el mercado; INAPAM (gob.mx): Requisitos para tramitar la Tarjeta Inapam (article dated 26 Dec 2017).
How you may quote us: terms of use.
Towns we cover in Mexico, by state
Each town in Mexico listed here shows its monthly subtotal for a couple, in US dollars — Rent, electricity and groceries · official sources.
Filter, sort and compare every town in Mexico →
Baja California · 2 towns
Baja California Sur · 2 towns
Guanajuato · 2 towns
- Guanajuato USD $1,008 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- San Miguel de Allende USD $505–$1,312 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Guerrero · 2 towns
- Acapulco USD $574–$1,420 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Zihuatanejo USD $862–$2,475 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Jalisco · 3 towns
- Chapala / Ajijic USD $765–$1,272 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Guadalajara USD $823–$1,695 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Puerto Vallarta USD $735–$2,279 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Morelos · 1 town
- Cuernavaca USD $516–$1,219 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Nayarit · 1 town
- Sayulita / Bahía de Banderas USD $838–$3,800 / month · as of 2026-10-06
Oaxaca · 2 towns
- Huatulco USD $997 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Oaxaca de Juárez USD $558–$1,167 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Quintana Roo · 3 towns
- Cancún USD $939–$2,457 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Playa del Carmen USD $626–$1,724 / month · as of 2026-10-01
- Tulum USD $693–$1,481 / month · as of 2026-10-01
Other states — no town covered yet: Aguascalientes · Campeche · Chiapas · Chihuahua · Ciudad de México · Coahuila · Colima · Durango · Estado de México · Hidalgo · Nuevo León · Puebla · San Luis Potosí · Sonora · Tabasco · Tamaulipas · Tlaxcala · Veracruz · Zacatecas
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