Living in Pachuca: Close to CDMX, With Lower Prices

Living in Pachuca is attracting more and more families and young professionals who want housing prices that are more affordable than in Mexico City, without moving too far away thanks to the México-Pachuca highway. The city, capital of Hidalgo, keeps a mid-sized-city feel with a cool, windy climate for much of the year, plus a distinctive historic mining downtown. This article reviews the connection to CDMX, the recommended areas, and the prices you can expect before deciding to move.

The connection to Mexico City

The México-Pachuca highway links the capital of Hidalgo with northern Mexico City in a travel time that can vary quite a bit depending on traffic and the time of day, so it's worth factoring in if your job requires frequent trips. This relative proximity has driven the development of new residential subdivisions (fraccionamientos) in Pachuca and neighboring municipalities such as Mineral de la Reforma, which appeal to people looking to buy a larger or newer home at a lower price than in the country's capital, accepting a longer commute on the days they need to go to CDMX.

Recommended areas and prices

The recently developed areas to the south and west of Pachuca, as well as the neighboring municipality of Mineral de la Reforma, offer newer housing with amenities such as common areas and private security, at noticeably lower prices than in Mexico City. The downtown area preserves the city's mining character, with more traditional housing and a lively commercial scene, although with narrower streets and less parking. For those looking to invest or buy a first home, Pachuca offers a price-to-space ratio that is hard to match within the capital's metropolitan area.

• The recently developed areas to the south and west offer newer housing with amenities.
• The downtown area preserves the city's mining character, with more traditional housing.
• Housing prices tend to be noticeably lower than in Mexico City.
• The cool, windy climate year-round reduces summer cooling costs.
• Mineral de la Reforma, a municipality within the metropolitan area, has grown strongly in new residential supply.

Daily life and climate

Pachuca is known as the "bella airosa" (the beautiful windy city) for its frequent winds, a trait that, together with its altitude, produces a cool climate for much of the year, with temperatures that rarely reach extreme heat. This translates into significant savings on cooling compared with cities in the north or the Bajío. Daily life combines the calm of a mid-sized city with access to modern services and shopping, plus cultural events in its historic downtown, which makes it attractive both to young professionals and to families seeking stability without giving up proximity to the nation's capital entirely.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to get from Pachuca to Mexico City?

The time can vary depending on traffic and the hour, since the México-Pachuca highway connects the two cities, but you should allow for longer times during rush hour if you'll be commuting frequently.

Is it cheaper to live in Pachuca than in CDMX?

Yes, generally speaking housing in Pachuca costs less than in Mexico City, both to rent and to buy, which makes it attractive for those looking for more space for their budget.

Is it better to live in Mineral de la Reforma instead of Pachuca?

It can be a good option if you're looking for new housing with amenities, since Mineral de la Reforma is part of Pachuca's metropolitan area and offers recent residential developments at competitive prices.