1 Assisted Living in Mexico
The cost of assisted living in the US is incredibly high and can be out of reach for many people. The cost depends on where you are located and the level of care you need.
The median cost (according to Genworth in 2021) is $4,500 per month ($54,000 per year). This will generally include meals, help with getting daily medication, and cleaning but not much else.
Move significant care can easily double this cost. The average private room averages $9,034 per month ($108,405 per year). Of course, the costs are higher in areas where the cost of living is higher, such as New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, … The average cost of assisted living is $3,500 per month in Arizona which is below the US average.
Some facilities ask for an upfront payment that can be between $100,000 and $700,000 depending on the location and facility. This ‘deposit’ can be used for future care and usually any unused portion is give to your beneficiaries upon your death.
The costs in Mexico are about 1/3 as much as in the US. The cost ranges from $1,000 to $2,000 per month. Assisted living facilities in Mexico are primarily located along the US/Mexico border (such as Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez) and in expat communities (in central Mexico and along the coasts: Puerto Vallarta, San Miguel, Ajijic, Lake Chapala, and Cabo San Lucas). Care is provided by English speaking health care providers.
Much more prevalent in Mexico than assisted living facilities are home health care providers. If you own or rent a home in Mexico, it is very inexpensive to have someone provide assistance in your home. Services can include various levels of medical support, cooking, cleaning, and companionship.
2 Location of Assisted Living Facilities in Mexico
Assisted living facilities in Mexico are primarily located along the US/Mexico border and in expat communities. Care is provided by English speaking health care providers.
Central Mexico
Great weather. Historic. Higher elevation. Large expat communities.
Lake Chapala – Ajijic and Chapala
San Miguel de Allende
Mexico City
Queretaro
Puebla
Cuenavaca
Northern Mexico – US/Mexico Border
Near the US.
Ensenada
Puerto Peñasco – San Carlos
Ciudad Juarez
Tijuana
Hermosillo
Pacific Coast
Beaches. Expat communities.
Mazatlán
Puerto Vallarta
Cabo San Lucas
Alcapulco
Puerto Escondido
Yucatán Peninsula
Historic. Hot. Beaches. Expat communities.
Merida
Cancun
Tulum
Playa del Carmen
3 Mexican Nursing Home Costs
There is so much variation in care quality within the US. In general, the quality of care in assisted living residences in Mexico that cater to American and Canadian residents are similar to the care quality in the average American assisted living community.
Most Mexican assisted living communities have fewer residents than their American counterparts. The average size community in the US has approximately 45 residents, while in Mexico 15-20 residents can be expected.
The ratio of residents to caregivers is much lower in Mexico, perhaps 3 or 4 residents to 1 caregiver, whereas in the US, the ratio is more commonly 6 to 10 residents for each caregiver.
The medical professional portion of the staff in the US may visit for a partial day or two a week. In Mexico many facilities have full-time doctors, psychologists, and physical therapists on-site.
Assisted Living Costs in the US
The median cost is $4,500 per month ($54,000 per year). This will generally include meals, help with getting daily medication, and cleaning but not much else.
Assisted Living Cost by State
State (Monthly cost)
Arizona ($4,000)
California ($5,250)
Colorado ($4,750)
Florida ($4,000)
Hawaii ($5,375)
Idaho ($3,838)
Illinois ($4,488)
Michigan ($4,250)
Minnesota ($4,508)
Nevada ($3,750)
New Mexico ($4,498)
New York ($4,580)
Oregon ($5,045)
Texas ($3,998)
Utah ($3,500)
Washington ($6,000)
In the U.S., the average for 24-hour per day memory care running $8,000 to $12,000 a month. For skilled nursing, $6,700 is the average. The cost of these services in Mexico is half to third of what they cost in the U.S, starting at approximately $1,500 a month for a quality assisted living facility.
Move significant care can easily double this cost. The average private room averages $9,034 per month ($108,405 per year). Of course, the costs are higher in areas where the cost of living is higher.
The cost of care facilities in the Bay Area can be excessive at $13,000 to $21,000 a month.
Hourly workers in the US So, instead, Manon hired a caregiver for 25 hours a week at a cost of $4,000 a month.
Some facilities ask for an upfront payment that can be between $100,000 and $700,000 depending on the location and facility. This ‘deposit’ can be used for future care and usually any unused portion is give to your beneficiaries upon your death.
Assisted Living Costs in Mexico
One facility in Mazatlan has basic cost for $1,500 a month. Memory care $3,000/month. Couples are allowed for an extra $500/month. The maximum extra services could add up to is no more than $1,100.
Budget under $3,000 per month in Mexico
Medicare is not accepted in Mexico. Unless you are near the border and cross to the US for medical care, you will be using the Mexican system.
Much more prevalent in Mexico than assisted living facilities are home health care providers. If you own or rent a home in Mexico, it is very inexpensive to have someone provide assistance in your home. Services can include various levels of medical support, cooking, cleaning, and companionship.
While there might not be a fully bilingual staff, at least several employees will speak passable, if not fluent, English.
4 Assisted Living in Mexico Planning
When admitted, residents are required to have several doctors assessments by a Mexican doctor.
The very best way to approach the transition to assisted living in Mexico is for the potential resident to live in Mexico several years before needing to move to such a facility.
While talented, compassionate administrators are key to any good center, no matter what your age, moving to Mexico is an adjustment.
Much more prevalent in Mexico than assisted living facilities are home health care providers. If you own or rent a home in Mexico, it is very inexpensive to have someone provide assistance in your home. Services can include various levels of medical support, cooking, cleaning, and companionship.
Some families have opted to rent a small house and have caretakers look in on their elderly family members.
5 Specific Assisted Living Facilities in Mexico
The following is a sampling of specific long term living facilities in Mexico. They range from small private homes to large facilities.
| Name | City | Service |
| La Pueblita | Ajijic | A full service “aging in place” care village, a separate apartment building, 32 memory care rooms both private and shared. 200 independent/assisted living units from 2 bedroom homes to studio apartments. |
| Casa Nuestra Nursing Home | Chapala | Full care nursing home: general care, grooming, monitoring, 24-hr care, meals, laundry, shower, diaper, bathing, medication management, massage, exercise, weekly medical visits |
| Alicia’s Convalescent($1,200 – $1,400 / mo) | Ajijic | Four separate homes and three different levels of care: assisted living, intermediate care and full care or nursing home. Assisted living – For people who still can do everything by them self but sometimes need a little bit of help. Intermediate care – For people who has a disability but mentally are ok. Full care or Nursing home – For residence who has Alzheimer´s or Dementia. In all our houses there´s 24/7 care, 3 meals a day (balance diet and always fresh food), laundry and cleaning every day, private rooms, WiFi, local transportation, cable tv, daily exercise |
| Cielito Lindo | San Miguel de Allende | independent and fully-assisted living support, including 24-hour care for people with medical or cognitive conditions and dementias. |
| Belmont Village | Mexico City | Residence for seniors offering assisted living, company and care, and specialized programs for memory loss or Alzheimers. Also provides medical services, exercise classes and physical therapy. |