Mexico commuters face long trips and high costs

Data from the Mexican Institute for Competitiveness (IMCO), based on 2025 INEGI census surveys, reveals that 12.34% of workers in Mexico commute outside their home municipality. This phenomenon is most prevalent in Mexico City and the State of Mexico, where more than one in three workers travel between municipalities.

Other states reporting significant commuting patterns include Nuevo León, Jalisco, Tlaxcala, and Querétaro, with many residents spending over an hour on their journeys. In contrast, regions like Baja California and Baja California Sur show minimal inter-municipal commuting, with less than 1% of workers traveling outside their municipality.

In the State of Mexico, commuters report significant financial strain due to rising transportation costs. Following fare adjustments in late 2025, some users claim that daily transit expenses—often requiring multiple transfers—can consume up to half of their weekly income. Residents in areas with limited transit options report that high costs and aging, overcrowded vehicles leave them with little choice but to continue paying high rates to reach work and school.