It is no secret that the Yucatan is a magnet for expats, but a new data-driven study proves that Merida also offers the best expat experience in Latin America.
To identify the top relocation havens, a new study by Argentina Expat, the 2026 Latin America Expat Index, analyzed 47 regional hubs across six categories (cost of living, safety, healthcare, climate, visas, and community).
Key Findings
- Crown jewel: Merida took the #1 spot overall, officially claiming the title of the Best Expat City in Latin America for 2026.
- Unmatched safety: Merida achieved a near-perfect safety score, with a homicide rate drastically lower than competing hubs in Colombia, Costa Rica, and even the United States.
- All-rounder. The data shows that Merida offers the perfect lifestyle arbitrage, combining top-tier healthcare and a massive, engaged English-speaking community without the hyper-inflated rent prices seen in Cabo San Lucas or Puerto Vallarta.
Ranking Mexican Cities for Expats
| Rank | City |
| 1 | Merida |
| 2 | Oaxaca |
| 14 | Queretaro |
| 15 | Mazatlan |
| 17 | Guadalajara |
| 19 | Puerto Vallarta |
| 22 | Mexico City |
| 24 | Playa del Carmen |
| 27 | Cancun |
| 30 | Ajijic |
| 34 | Puerto Escondido |
| 37 | Cabo San Lucas |
| 38 | Tulum |
| 46 | San Miguel de Allende |
Full data set: https://argentinaexpat.com/latin-america-expat-index/
The 2026 Latin America Expat Index evaluated 47 popular hubs using regional data, government statistics, and global indices. To accurately reflect daily expat realities, each city received a normalized score (1-10) to calculate a weighted “Overall Score.” The six categories and their underlying metrics include: Expat Community, Safety, Cost of Living, Healthcare, Climate, and Visas.
Source: argentinaexpat.com
