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The State of Unemployment and Economic Growth in San Luis Potosí

@Aria Bennett2/8/2026blog
The State of Unemployment and Economic Growth in San Luis Potosí

a bird flying over palm trees in a city

a couple of people facing each other


look, i didn't plan to write about unemployment stats in san luis potosí, but after spending three weeks here, it's hard not to notice the economic pulse of the city. i'm not an economist, i'm just a freelance photographer who moves around a lot, but sometimes you can see the story in the streets before you see it in the numbers.

first off, the weather here is wild. one minute it's sunny and 28°C, the next it's raining like the sky's trying to wash the city clean. the locals call it "la ciudad de los jardines" and honestly, the green spaces are legit. you've got parks everywhere, and people actually use them.

now, about jobs. the unemployment rate in san luis potosí has been hovering around 3.5% recently, which is pretty low compared to the national average in mexico. that's not just a number-it means people are working, but what kind of work? a lot of it is in manufacturing, especially car parts. companies like general motors have big operations here, and that's been a game changer for the local economy. but if you're not in that sector, things can get tricky.

rent's another story. i'm paying about 6,000 pesos a month for a decent one-bedroom in the centro histórico. that's roughly $350 usd, which feels like a steal compared to mexico city, but locals tell me it's creeping up fast. there's a lot of new development happening, especially around zona dorada, and that's pushing prices higher. some say it's good for growth, others say it's pricing out the very people who make the city what it is.

overheard at a cantina last week: "the jobs are here, but the pay isn't keeping up with the rent." that stuck with me. minimum wage in mexico is about 248 pesos a day, which is less than $15 usd. in san luis potosí, that doesn't stretch far, especially if you want to live anywhere near the center.

but there's more to the story. the city is investing in tech and education. uaslp (universidad autónoma de san luis potosí) is pumping out graduates, and there's a growing startup scene. coworking spaces are popping up, and digital nomads are starting to notice. if you're a remote worker, you could live pretty well here for under $1,000 a month.

still, there's a divide. the centro is buzzing with tourists and new businesses, but just a few blocks away, some neighborhoods feel left behind. it's not all "vibrant culture" and "hidden gems"-there are real challenges, and the gap between the new economy and the old is widening.

so, what's the takeaway? san luis potosí is growing, but not everyone's growing with it. if you're thinking of moving here, do your homework. check out local facebook groups, talk to people at the market, and maybe don't sign a lease until you've walked the streets at night. and if you want the real scoop, ask a local-not google.

if you want to dig deeper, here are a few links i found useful:
- TripAdvisor: Things to Do in San Luis Potosí
- Reddit: Mexico City and Beyond
- Yelp: Restaurants in San Luis Potosí

and hey, if you're a digital nomad or just curious, drop a comment. i'm always down to swap stories or get the real local take.

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About the author: Aria Bennett

Believer in lifelong learning (and unlearning).

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