⚖️ City comparison
San Francisco vs Mexico City
Thinking of leaving San Francisco for Mexico City? Here is how life in Mexico City, Mexico compares with San Francisco on cost, weather, safety, internet, and what it takes to stay.
The short version
- Mexico City is 62% cheaper: $1,986 vs $5,272 a month all-in for one person.
- Rent is lower in Mexico City: $1,169 vs $3,643 for a 1-bedroom in the centre.
- Mexico City has more pleasant weather: 12 pleasant months a year vs 8.
- Mexico City is warmer: highs average 14°F more across the year (coldest-month high 70°F vs 57°F in San Francisco; hottest 83°F vs 71°F).
- Residents rate San Francisco safer: a safety index of 40 vs 34 out of 100 (Numbeo survey).
- Internet is faster in San Francisco: 364 vs 184 Mbps median download.
- The air is cleaner in San Francisco: PM2.5 of 4.6 vs 19.4 µg/m³ a year.
- Mexico has no nomad visa; you get 180 days visa-free as a tourist, and longer stays need another route (see the country guide).
Side by side
| Measure | 🇲🇽 Mexico City | 🇺🇸 San Francisco |
|---|---|---|
| ⭐ Fit score (default weights) | 63 | 51 |
| 💰 All-in / month | $1,986 | $5,272 |
| 🏠 1BR rent, centre | $1,169 | $3,643 |
| 🛒 Living costs, no rent | $817 | $1,629 |
| ☀️ Pleasant months | 12 | 8 |
| 🌡️ Highs, coldest–hottest month | 70–83°F | 57–71°F |
| 🛡️ Safety | 34/100 (residents) | 40/100 (residents) |
| 📶 Internet, median download | 184 Mbps | 364 Mbps |
| 🌬️ Air, PM2.5 per year | 19.4 µg/m³ | 4.6 µg/m³ |
| 🗣️ English | Very low (EF) | Official language |
| 🏥 Healthcare access (WHO) | High | Very high |
| 👩 Women's safety & rights | Very low | High |
| 🏳️🌈 LGBTQ+ equality | High | High |
| ✈️ Flight to the US (est.) | ~2h to Houston | In the US |
| 🕘 US work-hour overlap | 7 h | 6 h |
| 🗓️ Visa-free stay (US passport) | 180 days | You live here |
| 🛂 Nomad visa | No nomad visa | Not needed |
| 🧾 Tax if resident | 🔴 Heavy · Local income only, top 35% | US tax as now |
Best months to be there
🇲🇽 Mexico City
8 best months
🇺🇸 San Francisco
3 best months
Colour is each month's typical temperature; ticked months are the most comfortable. Full detail: Mexico City climate · San Francisco climate.
Data last updated · Source: Numbeo cost data, measured climate history, Ookla, UNODC/Numbeo safety and curated visa research
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