Skyline of San Luis Potosí
Cost of Living: 68.2 911,263

San Luis Potosí, Mexico

Colonial city with a rich mining heritage, stunning architecture, and a growing manufacturing sector.

Updated October 4, 2026

Overview

San Luis Potosí is a city in San Luis Potosí with a population of 911,263. Colonial city with a rich mining heritage, stunning architecture, and a growing manufacturing sector. Housing is more affordable than the national average. The overall cost of living is below the national average. Gardening thrives here — the 6a growing zone supports Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables. A large share of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Reported crime rates are relatively high.

Last updated: October 04, 2026

Cost of Living 68.2

Below Average vs Mexico Avg (100)

Housing Index 65

Affordable

Median Income Mex$126,000

Household income

Unemployment 4.1%

Job market health

San Luis Potosí vs Mexico Average

Cost of Living
San Luis Potosí: 68.2
Mexico Avg: 100
Housing Index
San Luis Potosí: 65
Mexico Avg: 100
State Income Tax
San Luis Potosí: 8%

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8.0%
  • Sales Tax: 16.0%

Economy & Jobs

  • Median Income: Mex$126,000
  • Unemployment: 4.1%
  • Population: 911,263

Climate

  • Sunny Days: 230/year
  • Summer High: 85°F
  • Winter Low: 40°F
  • Farming Zone: USDA Zone 6a

Internet Speed

  • Average 200 Mbps: 60 Mbps
  • Coworking Spaces: 15+ locations

Housing

  • Median Home: Mex$1,200,000
  • 1BR Rent: Mex$5000/mo

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Cost of Living

San Luis Potosí's cost of living index is 68.2 (Mexico average = 100).

CategorySan Luis PotosíNational AverageDifference
Overall68.2100-31.8%
Housing65100-35.0%

Data source: INEGI, BBVA Research, 2026

Housing Market

MetricValue
Median Home PriceMex$1,200,000
Median Rent (1BR)Mex$5000/mo
Median Rent (2BR)Mex$6,250/mo
Price per Sq FtMex$800

Data source: Propiedades.com, 2026

True Cost of Home Ownership

True Cost of Home Ownership

See what you'll really pay over 30 years

Mex$
%
$90,000 down
%
%
Mex$

Utilities

Estimated monthly utility costs for a typical household in San Luis Potosí:

UtilityEstimated Monthly CostNotes
ElectricityMex$800
Heating & CoolingMex$22Estimated based on local climate.
Cooling (AC)N/AEstimated based on local climate and electricity rates
WaterMex$300Includes sewer
Internet (100+ Mbps)Mex$450Broadband average
Garbage / TrashIncluded in taxesMunicipal service (covered by property taxes)
Total UtilitiesMex$1572Monthly estimate (including heating & cooling)

Data sources: CFE, CONAGUA, IFT 2025

Remote Work Score

San Luis Potosí scores —/100 for remote work readiness:

Cost of Living
— 68.2
Rent
— Mex$5000
Sunny Days
— 230
Tax
— 8%
Unemployment
— 4.1%
Climate
— 85°F / 40°F
Safety
— 23.3 homicides/100k
Population
— 911,263
Internet Speed
— 60 Mbps

Climate

San Luis Potosí has a varied climate with distinct seasons.

MonthAvg HighAvg LowRainfall
January60°F40°F2.5"
April70°F55°F2.8"
July85°F60°F1.5"
October65°F58°F2.2"
USDA Zone 6a

Cool to mild — apples, pears, berries, many vegetables

Natural Hazards

San Luis Potosí faces the following natural hazards:

Earthquake Extreme Risk

Located in a highly active seismic zone with frequent major earthquakes.

Volcano High Risk

Active volcanic belt including Popocatépetl.

Tsunami High Risk

Pacific coast vulnerable to tsunamis.

Hurricane High Risk

Significant hurricane risk.

Flood High Risk

Tropical storm floods and urban flooding.

Wildfire High Risk

Frequent wildfires in dry season.

Drought High Risk

Northern and central Mexico experience frequent droughts.

Landslide High Risk

Mountainous terrain with rain-induced landslides.

Heat Wave High Risk

Extreme summer heat in northern and central regions.

Sandstorm Moderate Risk

Dust storms in northern desert regions.

Based on historical records and geographic risk assessment.

Taxes

  • State Income Tax: 8%
  • Sales Tax: 16%
  • Property Tax: ~0.2% of assessed value

Economy & Jobs

Major industries include technology, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

Crime & Safety

Crime rates in San Luis Potosí per 100,000 residents:

650.0
Violent Crime
800.0
Property Crime
23.3
Homicide

City-level crime data is not available for this location. The figure shown is the national average, which may differ significantly from actual conditions in this city.

Data source: UN Office on Drugs and Crime

Schools & Education

Total Schools

Academic Schedule

School Hours 8:00 AM – 1:30 PM
Academic Year August to July
Term System Semester — Fall (Aug-Dec), Spring (Jan-July)
Summer Break July to August (6 weeks)
Winter Break December to January (3 weeks)
Spring Break April (2 weeks)

Many schools operate in morning or afternoon shifts due to high demand.

Universities & Higher Education

3
Universities
#1171
Top University Rank
Top-Ranked University Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí

Data source: Center for World University Rankings (CWUR) & World Universities Database

Demographics

The population of San Luis Potosí is diverse. The figures below show the ethnic, educational, and religious composition of the local population.

Ethnicity

Afro-Mexican
2.7%
Indigenous language speaker
0.5%
Other
96.8%

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
57.1%
High school graduate
22.1%
Less than high school
18.4%
Some college
2.4%

Religion

No religion
7.5%
Religious
92.5%

Ethnicity data is based on indigenous language speakers and Afro-Mexican self-identification from the 2020 Mexican census (INEGI). Mexico does not collect race/ethnicity in the same way as the US; these serve as the closest available proxies.

Data source: Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) Censo 2020 (2020)

Important Disclaimer: All data on this page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, tax, or real estate advice. URCity and Northshore Press are not financial advisors, tax professionals, or real estate agents. Always consult qualified professionals before making relocation or financial decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cost of living in San Luis Potosí, Mexico?

The cost of living index in San Luis Potosí is 68.2, which is Lower the Mexico national average of 100.

How much does it cost to buy a home in San Luis Potosí?

The median home price in San Luis Potosí is Mex$1,200,000. The housing index is 65.

What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment?

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in San Luis Potosí is approximately Mex$5000/mo.

Does San Luis Potosí, SLP have income tax?

San Luis Potosí is in SLP, which has an income tax rate of 8%.

What is the climate like in San Luis Potosí?

San Luis Potosí enjoys approximately 230 sunny days per year. Summer highs reach around 85°F, while winter lows can drop to around 40°F.

Data Sources

  • Cost of Living: INEGI, BBVA Research, 2026
  • Housing Data: Propiedades.com, 2026
  • Income & Employment: INEGI Encuesta Nacional de Ocupación y Empleo, 2025
  • Utilities CFE, CONAGUA, IFT 2025

Data last updated: October 21, 2026. Data may not reflect current market conditions. Always verify with local sources before making relocation decisions.