A membrane electrode includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a proton exchange membrane sandwiched between the first electrode and the second electrode. The first electrode includes a first gas diffusion layer and a first catalyst layer. The second electrode includes a second gas diffusion layer and a second catalyst layer. The first catalyst layer or the second catalyst layer includes a carbon nanotube-metal particle composite including carbon nanotubes, polymer layer, and metal particles. The polymer layer is coated on a surface of the carbon nanotubes and defines a plurality of pores uniformly distributed; the metal particles are located in the pores. A fuel cell including the membrane electrode is also disclosed.