San Cristóbal de las Casas vs San Miguel de Allende
Cost of living comparison for expats considering San Cristóbal de las Casas or San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
San Cristóbal de las Casas is 34% cheaper than San Miguel de Allende
Monthly savings
$551
Mexico
San Cristóbal de las Casas
$1,086
$19,005
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
San Cristóbal de las Casas
San Cristóbal offers Mexico's best value for comfortable living—a couple can thrive on $1,500/month in a UNESCO-worthy colonial town. Spanish-language listings on Inmuebles24 run 10-20% cheaper than Airbnb/expat platforms. Chiapas produces Mexico's finest coffee, and San Cristóbal keeps the good stuff local. Critical warnings: home wifi often delivers 3-15 Mbps despite promises—serious remote workers need Centralita coworking ($85/month) or Starlink ($53/month). The water is contaminated with fecal bacteria—never drink tap, budget $17/month for garrafones. Most newcomers get sick within their first week. At 7,200ft elevation, expect cold nights (40-50°F in winter) with no central heating.
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.
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These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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