Cost of Living Comparison Between Abyek and Playa del Carmen Cost of Living Comparison Between Abyek and Playa del Carmen

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $523 per month in Abyek vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A couple spends around $835 per month in Abyek vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,147 per month in Abyek vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Abyek is about 59% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Abyek and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Abyek 61% lower, Playa del Carmen 4% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.93 $3.93
$11.94 MX$208
-67.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.05 $17.05
$42.75 MX$744
-60.12%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.52 $4.52
$10.59 MX$184
-57.32%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.64 $0.64
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 $1.06
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.16 $1.16
$3.62 MX$63.0
-67.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42 $0.42
$1.47 MX$25.54
-71.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.94 MX$16.41
5.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.09 MX$53.8
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.46 MX$77.6
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.60 $0.60
$1.43 MX$24.80
-58.04%
White Bread (500g)
$0.52 $0.52
$1.88 MX$32.79
-72.34%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.94 $1.94
$1.63 MX$28.34
19.02%
Eggs
$1.18 $1.18
$2.64 MX$45.99
-55.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.38 $3.38
$8.21 MX$143
-58.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.33 $3.33
$8.29 MX$144
-59.83%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.19 $10.19
$11.10 MX$193
-8.20%
Apples (1kg)
$0.85 $0.85
$2.65 MX$46.14
-67.92%
Banana (1kg)
$1.35 $1.35
$1.50 MX$26.11
-10.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.86 $0.86
$1.99 MX$34.59
-56.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.54 $0.54
$2.08 MX$36.13
-74.04%
Potato (1kg)
$0.51 $0.51
$1.79 MX$31.11
-71.51%
Onion (1kg)
$0.46 $0.46
$2.18 MX$37.87
-78.90%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.58 $0.58
$1.08 MX$18.73
-46.30%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.23 $0.23
$1.04 MX$18.04
-77.88%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.01 $1.01
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.46 $0.46
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 $1.36
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.16 $2.16
$3.97 MX$69.1
-45.59%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$10.20 MX$178
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.73 MX$30.04
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.50 MX$43.46
-
🚌 Getting Around
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.18 $0.18
$0.52 MX$9.02
-65.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$10.19 $10.19
$26.97 MX$469
-62.22%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.36 $0.36
$3.14 MX$54.7
-88.54%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.27 $0.27
$2.40 MX$41.80
-88.75%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.03 $2.03
$3.09 MX$53.7
-34.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.72 $0.72
$1.27 MX$22.16
-43.31%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$73.0K $73.0K
$30.9K MX$537.3K
136.50%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$55.8K $55.8K
$23.3K MX$405.7K
139.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$16.02 $16.02
$82.0 MX$1,427
-80.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.14 $2.14
$22.45 MX$391
-90.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$5.78 $5.78
$29.66 MX$516
-80.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$15.92 $15.92
$51.9 MX$903
-69.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.26 $12.26
$18.67 MX$325
-34.33%
Cinema Ticket
$1.48 $1.48
$4.97 MX$86.5
-70.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$114 $114
$198 MX$3,442
-42.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,007 $2,007
$5,273 MX$91.7K
-61.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.16 $22.16
$36.34 MX$632
-39.02%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.93 $24.93
$40.05 MX$697
-37.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 $111
$79.9 MX$1,390
38.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.0 $69.0
$88.9 MX$1,547
-22.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$280 $280
$963 MX$16.8K
-70.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$197 $197
$465 MX$8,086
-57.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$627 $627
$1,596 MX$27.8K
-60.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$322 $322
$1,209 MX$21.0K
-73.37%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,080 $1,080
$3,942 MX$68.6K
-72.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$624 $624
$6,448 MX$112.2K
-90.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Abyek
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$720 MX$12.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
22.24
11.42
94.75%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Abyek: April 28, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $280 in Abyek versus $963 in Playa del Carmen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $17.00 in Abyek versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $107 vs $251 – making Abyek the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Abyek vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Abyek and Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $523 in Abyek, $1,287 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 146% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Abyek compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $785 per month in Abyek and $1,930 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Abyek and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Abyek, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Abyek and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $114 per month in Abyek and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 134% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Abyek, where all-in costs run around $523, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Abyek it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Abyek and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $523 in Abyek to $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Abyek or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Abyek and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Abyek. 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.

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