🙂A single person spends $789 per month in Abovyan vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,306 per month in Abovyan vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,822 per month in Abovyan vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Abovyan is about 39% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Both Abovyan and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Abovyan41% lower, Playa del Carmen3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.38֏3,821
$11.73MX$203
-11.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.7֏19.0K
$41.62MX$720
24.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.95֏2,926
$10.64MX$184
-25.28%
Cappuccino
$3.46֏1,275
$3.52MX$60.9
-1.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.96֏352
$1.51MX$26.12
-36.42%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53֏194
$0.97MX$16.84
-45.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85֏682
$2.95MX$51.0
-37.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03֏1,484
$4.45MX$77.0
-9.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.66֏610
$1.38MX$23.93
20.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.88֏325
$1.89MX$32.72
-53.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.32֏853
$1.64MX$28.32
41.46%
Eggs
$2.37֏872
$2.51MX$43.34
-5.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.18֏3,010
$8.34MX$144
-1.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.60֏2,797
$8.34MX$144
-8.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.13֏4,463
$10.73MX$186
13.05%
Apples(1kg)
$1.30֏480
$2.60MX$45.04
-50.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.72֏632
$1.46MX$25.20
17.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80֏662
$1.90MX$32.87
-5.26%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24֏823
$2.08MX$35.91
7.69%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76֏281
$1.78MX$30.71
-57.30%
Onion(1kg)
$0.75֏276
$2.19MX$37.80
-65.75%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83֏304
$1.04MX$17.99
-20.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.68֏251
$1.08MX$18.62
-37.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64֏971
$4.08MX$70.6
-35.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.66֏3,925
$10.32MX$178
3.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32֏487
$1.71MX$29.61
-22.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18֏803
$2.58MX$44.54
-15.50%
🚌 Getting Around
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.50֏183
$0.51MX$8.81
-1.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.46MX$458
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.60֏588
$3.26MX$56.4
-50.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31֏115
$2.49MX$43.09
-87.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.65֏1,710
$3.25MX$56.2
43.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.37֏503
$1.31MX$22.61
4.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.0K֏11.8M
$30.3KMX$523.7K
5.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$37.3K֏13.7M
$23.4KMX$405.3K
59.27%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$131֏48.3K
$82.9MX$1,433
58.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.81֏3,244
$22.22MX$384
-60.35%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.59֏7,576
$29.34MX$507
-29.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$51.6MX$893
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.32MX$317
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.70֏2,467
$5.07MX$87.6
32.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$368֏135.5K
$201MX$3,473
83.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,757֏2.9M
$5,212MX$90.1K
48.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109֏40.1K
$36.92MX$639
195.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.3֏21.8K
$39.79MX$688
48.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$141֏51.7K
$78.5MX$1,357
79.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$140֏51.6K
$87.1MX$1,506
61.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$973MX$16.8K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$468MX$8,090
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,641MX$28.4K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,221MX$21.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,946MX$68.3K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,498MX$112.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abovyan
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$976֏359.3K
$664MX$11.5K
47.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15.53
11.42
35.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Abovyan: June 1, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 47% higher in Abovyan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Abovyan versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Groceries tell a different story – $226 in Abovyan vs $249 in Playa del Carmen – so Abovyan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abovyan vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Abovyan?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 64%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,184 per month in Abovyan and $1,945 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Is eating out cheaper in Abovyan or Playa del Carmen?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in Abovyan and $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Abovyan and Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 10% more in Playa del Carmen, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Abovyan or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Abovyan, where all-in costs run around $789, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Abovyan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Abovyan or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Abovyan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Abovyan or Playa del Carmen?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Abovyan. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Playa del Carmen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.