Mérida vs San Miguel de Allende
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Mérida or San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Mérida is 6% cheaper than San Miguel de Allende
Monthly savings
$102
Mexico
Mérida
$1,535
$26,863
Cheaper option
Mexico
San Miguel de Allende
$1,637
$28,648
Category Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
Utilities
Groceries
Dining Out
Transportation
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Healthcare
Phone & Subscriptions
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment, basic health insurance.
City Insights
Mérida
Mérida offers exceptional value—couples can live comfortably on $2,200-2,800/month with good housing, regular dining, and healthcare. The critical catch: summer heat means electricity for AC can dominate your budget. A single bimonthly AC bill can exceed $260 during April-May heatwaves. Market shopping at Lucas de Gálvez yields 20-40% savings over supermarkets. The 'gringo tax' on English-language rental listings runs 50-200%—search Inmuebles24 in Spanish and walk neighborhoods for 'Se Renta' signs. Costco membership is just $25/year vs $65 in the US. Centro street parking is free. Healthcare delivers 50-80% savings: Star Médica Mérida ranked #1 in Southern Region, hip replacements $3,850 vs $30,000+ US. US State Department rates Yucatan Level 1—equivalent to Japan, Iceland, New Zealand.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel operates on two parallel tracks: English-language rental sites charge 30-50% premium over Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 and Segundamano. The Tuesday tianguis market is essential for local prices. Healthcare offers 60-80% savings vs US prices. The walkable centro means many skip car ownership entirely. Water is unsafe due to arsenic/fluoride—budget $15-20/month for garrafones or reverse osmosis.
Customize This Comparison
These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
Personalize Your Estimate