The Mobility Crisis and Its Impact on Housing Demand
The mobility crisis in the Mexico Valley is reshaping residential areas, as people seek to move closer to their workplaces to reduce daily commuting time and reclaim “life hours.” This shift isn’t a fleeting trend but a structural change in housing demand, according to Desarrolladora Del Parque.
No longer is the value of a property determined solely by its square footage; instead, strategic location, connectivity, and integrated services now play crucial roles.
Time as an Invisible Cost
The Origen-Destino Encuesta of the Mexico Valley Metropolitan Area 2025 reveals that over 2.5 million people spend more than an hour daily commuting to work or school.
Workers from the State of Mexico face the longest commutes, with travel times ranging from 3.5 to 4 hours daily. In a typical work month, this amounts to 70-80 hours spent solely on commuting, excluding delays caused by rain or traffic.
Based on the National Occupation and Employment Survey (ENOE) 2025, an average executive in Mexico earns around 250 pesos per hour.
Under this calculation, prolonged commutes can result in an economic loss of 10,000 to 20,000 pesos monthly in unproductive time, not including fuel, vehicle maintenance, or public transportation costs.
“Living close to work is not just a luxury; for many, it’s a financially rational decision. If time becomes a cost, then a good location becomes an investment,” said Angélica Soria, Community Leader at Up Santa Fe and Agwa Bosques in Desarrolladora del Parque.
Adapting to the New Residential Behavior
In this context, Desarrolladora del Parque identifies a residential migration pattern based on proximity and efficiency.
New residents seeking housing in the company’s projects primarily come from Huixquilucan, Naucalpan, Zinacantepec, Metepec, Ocoyoacan, and Toluca—municipalities located in the western and southwestern corridors of the State of Mexico.
This urban shift aims to reduce travel time to corporate zones like Santa Fe, where traffic and road congestion have reached historic levels.
Although the Tren Interurbano México–Toluca (El Insurgente) promises improved connectivity once fully operational in 2026, the current pressure on mobility still encourages workers to reconsider their residence.
As a result, housing near work has become a new productivity and well-being asset. It’s more than an aspiration; it’s a strategy balancing time, money, and quality of life.
“For developers, vertical projects with integrated amenities, proximity to transportation, and mixed-use zoning become the winning bet. The critical asset shifts from land to reclaimed time, transforming the real estate value narrative: fewer kilometers traveled, more minutes to live,” Soria declared.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is causing the change in housing demand? The mobility crisis in the Mexico Valley is driving a structural change in housing demand, with people prioritizing proximity to workplaces for reduced commuting time.
- How does the mobility crisis impact housing value? Housing value is now determined not only by square footage but also by strategic location, connectivity, and integrated services.
- What are the financial implications of prolonged commutes? Prolonged commutes can lead to an economic loss of 10,000 to 20,000 pesos monthly in unproductive time, excluding additional costs like fuel and vehicle maintenance.
- How is the real estate industry adapting to this trend? Developers are focusing on vertical projects with integrated amenities, proximity to transportation, and mixed-use zoning, transforming the real estate value narrative from square footage to reclaimed time.
