Explore Merida's Charms

1. Outstanding Safety

Mérida consistently ranks among Mexico’s—and the Americas’—most secure cities. It was certified as an International Safe Community (Karolinska Institute), frequently lauded by Forbes as one of the best cities in Mexico to live and invest in, and UN-Habitat recognized it as the city with the highest quality of life in Mexico WikipediaBrevitas. Yucatán is also officially the safest Mexican state Wikipedia.

2. Cultural Richness & Heritage

Mérida is steeped in cultural history. It was the first—and so far only—city to be named American Capital of Culture twice and has the third-largest historic old-town district in the Americas. Fine museums like the Gran Museo del Mundo Maya and nearby UNESCO sites like Chichén Itzá and Uxmal make for enriching experiences Buy in Merida, YucatanWikipedia.

3. Affordable Cost of Living

Compared to major U.S. cities or even other popular Mexican hotspots, living in Mérida is economical. A couple’s monthly cost ranges between USD 1,434–1,740 (including rent, utilities, food, transport, etc.) International Living. For rentals: downtown apartments cost around $300–600 USD/month, and typical monthly budgets (rent + utilities + groceries) hover around $1,400–1,700 USD farhomes.comInternational Living.

4. Strong Real Estate Value & Growth

Property remains affordable—centro homes average ~3.1 million MXN, far lower than comparable cities like Guadalajara or Monterrey TheLatinvestor. Over the past decade, prices have skyrocketed—homes north of the périphérico worth 250,000 MXN are now ~4× their former value TheLatinvestor.

5. Real Estate Stability & Increasing Supply

The real estate market is balancing: though home prices rose—used homes 14.6% and new ones 15.6%—inventory is growing with over 11,800 units and 300+ projects, stabilizing pricing TheLatinvestor. High-quality properties are still priced below Mexico’s coastal hotspots—under US$2,000/m² compared to US$2,500–3,000+ in Cancún or Playa del Carmen Brevitas.

6. Attractive Rental & Airbnb Income Potential

Short-term rentals perform well—Airbnb listings have a median occupancy of ~55%, and typical hosts earn around MXN 162,000 annually, often higher during festival seasons TheLatinvestor+1. For mid- to high-end rentals, gross yields—especially for vacation rentals—can hit high single- to low double-digit annual returns, with daily rates of MXN 800–900 (USD 45–50), equating to ~$10–12K USD annual revenue per condo Brevitas.

7. Population Influx & Tourism

Mérida gained ~19,050 new residents in just one year—driven by expats, retirees, and digital nomads—boosting demand for housing TheLatinvestor. Tourism is also climbing: 10 million visitors in 2022, with a 7.2% increase in 2023 farhomes.com. This influx supports both community vibrancy and rental demand.

8. Modern Infrastructure & Excellent Connectivity

Mérida International Airport handled nearly 3.7 million passengers in 2024, ranking as Mexico’s ninth-busiest—enhancing both domestic and international accessibility Wikipedia.

9. Educational & Healthcare Infrastructure

Literacy is high—97.7%, above state and national averages Wikipedia. The city hosts numerous reputable universities (UADY, ITM, UVM, Marista, UNISUR, etc.) Wikipedia. Healthcare infrastructure is robust, with multiple public hospitals (IMSS, ISSSTE, O'Horán, etc.) and private clinics such as Centro Médico de las Américas and StarMédica Wikipedia.

10. Booming Retirement & Luxury Markets

The luxury segment is skyrocketing—luxury real estate in Mexico hit US$15 billion in sales in 2024, and Mérida is a magnet for affluent buyers from the U.S., Canada, Germany, and France. Areas like Kanasín saw property values rise 9.8% in a year TheLatinvestor. Additionally, retirement-focused housing is growing rapidly: senior housing absorption rose 40% in early 2024 alone TheLatinvestor