Real Estate in Merida, Mexico
Last updated on Jul 08, 2023
Summary: The most desirable neighborhoods in Merida, Mexico are Centro, Santiago, and Santa Ana. The average cost to buy a nice 2 bedroom home in Merida is around $150,000 USD and a nice 3 bedroom home is around $200,000 USD. These properties typically include modern amenities such as air conditioning, high-speed internet, and a private pool. Foreigners are allowed to own property in Merida, however, they must obtain a permit from the Mexican government. The best way for an expat to search for a home to buy in Merida is to use a real estate agent who is familiar with the area and can provide advice on the best neighborhoods and properties. Additionally, expats should research the local market and compare prices to ensure they are getting the best deal.
How do I find a place to live in Merida?
We asked expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:
"I live in a large furnished studio with good sized kitchen with pantry (full size appliances), true dining area (room for 6-8) living area with sofa, coffee table and 2 chairs and nice sized bedroom area. It has a yard with parking and outside dining and is fully air conditioned. It's actually the ground floor of a 2 story house so it's larger than most studios IME. Including my power, water, garbage, gas and WIFI, it's under $400 USD per month. Outside my front door is a park and 2 more parks are within 3 blocks in opposite directions. It's a great neighborhood away from downtown but still has every kind of business within a 5 minute walk. A really nice mall is 2.4 miles away and it's dog-friendly! I've lived in 3 different neighborhoods in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico including Centro and this is by far my favorite! FYI, my AC runs 24/7/365. It's clean, quite, walkable and has green spaces," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.

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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
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Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Merida?
"A typical expat home or apartment in Merida is typically modern and stylish with a mix of traditional Mexican design mixed with contemporary design. The architecture of the homes and apartments usually features large windows and balconies, giving a nice open feeling. Many have floor tiles and white walls, giving it a distinctive Mexican look. The furniture is typically comfortable, yet simple and modern. Expats in Merida can also enjoy outdoor living spaces with outdoor dining areas, pool areas and landscaped gardens," said one expat who made the move to Merida.

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Welcome Home Mexico occupies a niche in the market as a successful relocation and real estate firm helping expats moving to Mexico! As seen on CBS news, PBS, in the L.A. Times and more, we are one of the leading companies in this field. Welcome Home Mexico offers a wide range of services, multi-lingual knowledgeable brokers with experience, efficient and professional service.
Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.
What is the average cost of housing in Merida?
If you are thinking about moving to Merida, cost of living in probably a key consideration. Expats commented about the cost of housing:
"My husband found a two bedroom one bath house in Pensiones neighborhood in Merida Yucatan for about $35,000 USD. It needs another $10k in upgrades or remodeling but it is a cute home and would be great. The rents here are all over the place. But a huge home with a lot of amenities unfurnished in my neighborhood (4 bedrooms or 5 with three bathrooms and so on? Goes for $14,000 Mexican pesos a month. About $675 or $700 USD give or take," explained one person living in Mexico.
Should I buy or rent a home in Merida?
If you have not spent a lot of time in Merida, you should rent before even thinking about buying. We asked expats there about the buy vs. rent decision:
"When deciding whether to buy or rent a home in Merida, there are several factors to consider. If you are planning to stay in the city for an extended period of time, buying could be a more economical choice. In terms of home values, Merida offers some of the best prices in all of Mexico, meaning its real estate can offer an attractive return on investment. On the other hand, rental costs in Merida are typically very low and offer a range of housing options. This can be beneficial if you are looking for flexibility or prefer to live in more temporary accommodation. Ultimately, it is important to weigh the pros and cons before making a decision," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Merida.
What do I need to know when buying property in Merida?
When we asked expats what advice they would give a foreigner before buying a property in Merida, they said:
"When buying property in Merida, it is important to research the local market, understand the legal process, and factor in all associated costs. It is wise to work with a professional real estate agent with knowledge of the Merida area. Additionally, it is important to understand the zoning regulations, title registration process, and any potential title issues associated with the property. As with buying any property, extensive due diligence is recommended and a lawyer specializing in real estate should be consulted. Lastly, be aware that you may also need to obtain an FM3 visa or residency permit in order to purchase property in Mexico," explained one foreigner living in Merida, Mexico.
Are foreigners allowed to own property in Merida?
When we asked expats what advice they would give a foreigner before buying a property in Merida, they said...
"Yes, foreigners are allowed to own property in Merida. The Mexican Constitution guarantees the right of foreigners to own property in Mexico, as long as certain restrictions are followed. Foreigners are not allowed to own property within a restricted zone, which is within 100 kilometers of any international border or 50 kilometers of any coastline. However, foreigners can purchase property in the unrestricted zone, which is outside of the restricted zone. Additionally, foreigners must obtain a permit from the Foreign Affairs Ministry in order to purchase property in Mexico," said one expat in Merida.
What appliances are typically included in a rental?
We asked foreigners in Merida what appliances are typically included in a rental, and, if there is anything else included or not included that a newcomer would not expect. Replies included:
"Most rental properties in Merida, include basic appliances such as a refrigerator, stove, oven, and washing machine. Some properties may also have additional amenities such as a dryer, microwave, dishwasher, cable/satellite TV, and air conditioning," explained one person living in Merida, Mexico.
Additional Information about Searching for a Home in Merida:
We asked foreigners in Merida what appliances are typically included in a rental, and, if there is anything else included or not included that a newcomer would not expect. Replies included...
"Expats can search for homes in Merida by looking online for real estate listings, contacting local real estate agents, and searching for expat-specific resources such as expat forums and websites. Additionally, expats can look for rental listings in local newspapers and online classifieds, and ask other expats in the area for recommendations," wrote one expat who made the move to Merida.
About the Author
Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC
Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.
Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.
Other Questions:
- What do I need to know before moving to Merida?
- What is a typical expat home or apartment like in Merida?
- What is the average cost of housing in Merida?
- How do I meet people in Merida?
- What do I need to know before retiring in Merida?
- What should I pack when moving to Merida?
- Where should I setup a bank account in Merida?
- Will I be able to find a job in Merida?
- What is life like as an expat in your area?
- What do people like (and dislike) about Merida?
- What type of social life can someone expect in Merida?
- What is the social scene like in Merida?
- What advice to expats in Merida have about housing?
- What are medical services in Merida like?
- Are healthcare and health insurance expensive in Merida?
- Is the cost of living in Merida high?
- What are the visa & residency requirements in Merida?
- Why do people move to Merida?