Photo: Danieloso · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
← All city guides
🇲🇽 México
Oaxaca
Mexico's food capital: markets, mezcal and a loyal nomad community, with some of the lowest costs in the country.
€900–1,400Fiber 100–300 Mbps downtownMild and dry, rainy season June to September
What it really costs
Prices checked on the ground by Zabelers. Each line shows when it was last verified.
·
·
·
·
Where to live
Good for:
The catch: Few rental options
Good for:
The catch: Tourist noise in high season
Where to work
Time zone: CST (UTC-6), perfect for North American hours
What living here is really like
Day to day
- Internet
- 100–300 Mbps fiber with Telmex/Totalplay ~MXN 500/month; varies by area
- Safety
- Safe centre by day; standard Mexican night-time caution
- Healthcare
- Limited public healthcare for foreigners; private insurance recommended
- SIM / eSIM
- eSIM from US$10/3 GB (Airalo); Telcel SIM MXN 150
- Best season
- October to May, dry and sunny; Day of the Dead unmissable
- Community
- Established but intimate nomad community, blending with the local art scene
Living here legally
Tax
Residents pay tax in Mexico; many nomads keep tourist status
Flights & connections
OAX via Mexico City; limited direct US flights
Lisbon vs. similar cities
| City | Zabel score | Monthly budget | In short |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ciudad de México | 7.9 | 1.300–2.000 $ | More connections and scene, more chaos and cost |
| Playa del Carmen | 7.3 | 1.200–1.900 $ | Beach and coworkings, much more touristy |