In contemporary Mexico, where urban insecurity remains a widespread concern, peace of mind has become a highly valued real estate asset.The perception of security not only improves residents' quality of life, but also raises land prices and redefines the way housing markets are structured.
While in many cities across the country living in fear is the norm, certain destinations offer an alternative model:environments perceived as safe, orderly, and functional… but at prices that few can afford.
Security: A Growing Economic Differential
According to the National Urban Public Security Survey (ENSU), by INEGI, published in July 2025, only 32.4% of Mexicans feel safe in their city. However, there are areas where the positive perception exceeds 70%, and this is directly reflected in the prices and characteristics of the real estate market.
Among the cities with the highest perception of safety are:
- San Pedro Garza García, NL – 83.4%
- Benito Juárez, CDMX – 74.2%
- Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco – 70.5%
- Bahía de Banderas, Nayarit – 69.8%
- Los Cabos, BCS – 67.9%
The data reflects a clear pattern: tourist destinations with a good reputation for safety tend to attract premium real estate investment,both domestic and foreign.
Residential Developments and the Perception of Security
In San Pedro Garza García,98% of the properties listed are in the residential and plus-residential ranges, with prices ranging from $150,000 to over $400,000 USD,depending on the location and finishes.
The same logic applies in Los Cabos, Puerto Vallarta, and the Riviera Nayarit. In these tourist destinations, the presence of consolidated tourism infrastructure, private security forces, controlled access, and 24/7 surveillance have made security an explicit real estate value.
For example:
- In Puerto Vallarta, neighborhoods such as Conchas Chinas, Amapas, and Marina Vallarta concentrate properties priced at over $500,000 USD,many with perimeter security and private staff.
- In Banderas Bay, especially in areas like Punta de Mita, Nuevo Vallarta, and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle,prices can easily exceed one million dollars, with buyers targeting high-net-worth foreigners or Mexicans.
These places are no longer seen solely as vacation destinations, but as permanent residences,especially for retirees, investors from the U.S. and Canada, and high-net-worth Mexicans who prioritize security as an essential factor for settling in.
Security as an Inherited Asset
“When people look for a home today, size or location are no longer enough. They seek to live without fear,” explains Juan David Vargas,an analyst at Propiedades.com. “Security has become a heritage asset. It not only protects physical integrity, but also protects the investment.”
This is reflected in the strong demand for gated communities, vertical residences with controlled access, and private communities with permanent security. In Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit, developers are committed to integrating security, sustainability, and exclusivity into their offerings.
Social Implications: The Cost of Living Safely
Although it is understandable that people pay more to live in safe places, this trend widens the gap between those who can and cannot access quality urban environments.
Data from UN-Habitat reveals that more than 60% of people living in cities in developing countries have been victims of crime at least once in the last five years. This primarily affects the most vulnerable sectors, for whom security is not a choice but an outstanding debt owed to the State.
In contrast, areas perceived as safe concentrate public and private investment, jobs, quality services, and sustained added value. This logic perpetuates an exclusionary urban model, where living in peace becomes a luxury reserved for the few.
Security as an Invisible Frontier of Real Estate Development
Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit, Los Cabos, and other similar destinations represent a brighter side of urban development in Mexico: places where security is part of the landscape, and housing is a sought-after commodity. However, this side also raises ethical questions: How long will security remain a privilege rather than a right?
To ensure that safe housing is not a luxury but a norm, comprehensive public policies are required to address urban inequality, structural violence, and the lack of access to decent housing.In the meantime, the real estate market will continue to respond to a harsh but simple reality: those who can afford to live safely will do so.
