🙂A single person spends $931 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $1,305 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,409 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $2,334 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,887 per month in Al-masna'ah vs $3,362 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Al-masna'ah is about 29% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Al-masna'ah and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Al-masna'ah33% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.31OMR 2.04
$11.96MX$203
-55.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.62OMR 12.94
$47.38MX$804
-29.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.63OMR 2.94
$11.75MX$199
-35.06%
Cappuccino
$4.94OMR 1.90
$4.12MX$70.0
19.90%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90OMR 0.35
$1.40MX$23.74
-35.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29OMR 0.11
$0.91MX$15.48
-68.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$12.78OMR 4.92
$3.21MX$54.4
298.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$12.87OMR 4.95
$7.07MX$120
82.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.29OMR 0.88
$1.68MX$28.44
36.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.29OMR 0.50
$2.15MX$36.48
-40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87OMR 0.72
$1.77MX$30.10
5.65%
Eggs
$2.86OMR 1.10
$2.82MX$47.76
1.42%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.57OMR 2.91
$9.20MX$156
-17.72%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.92OMR 2.66
$9.23MX$157
-25.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.49OMR 4.04
$12.64MX$214
-17.01%
Apples(1kg)
$3.54OMR 1.36
$2.95MX$50.1
20.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.99OMR 0.77
$1.58MX$26.79
25.95%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.34OMR 0.90
$2.22MX$37.70
5.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.24OMR 0.48
$2.36MX$40.09
-47.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.21OMR 0.47
$1.99MX$33.81
-39.20%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27OMR 0.49
$1.98MX$33.58
-35.86%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.79OMR 0.69
$1.24MX$21.04
44.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63OMR 0.24
$1.21MX$20.55
-47.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.52OMR 2.51
$4.60MX$78.1
41.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.33OMR 5.90
$10.52MX$178
45.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$5.43OMR 2.09
$1.69MX$28.70
221.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.82OMR 3.39
$2.77MX$47.06
218.41%
🚌 Getting Around
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.60MX$10.22
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$29.70MX$504
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.34OMR 1.28
$5.24MX$88.8
-36.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.68OMR 1.03
$3.65MX$61.9
-26.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.71OMR 2.97
$5.78MX$98.1
33.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.61OMR 0.23
$1.54MX$26.09
-60.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.7KOMR 9,908
$22.8KMX$386.8K
12.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.9KOMR 8,801
$25.8KMX$437.9K
-11.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$174OMR 66.8
$90.7MX$1,538
91.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$30.57OMR 11.77
$25.19MX$427
21.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$71.0OMR 27.32
$31.75MX$539
123.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$68.8MX$1,167
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.37MX$498
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.41OMR 4.01
$4.86MX$82.5
114.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$282OMR 108
$226MX$3,828
24.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.6KOMR 4,089
$4,194MX$71.1K
153.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8OMR 21.87
$47.38MX$804
19.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.98OMR 16.93
$43.45MX$737
1.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$91.6OMR 35.26
$80.2MX$1,361
14.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.2OMR 37.02
$91.4MX$1,550
5.24%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,086MX$18.4K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$409MX$6,933
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,972MX$33.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,281MX$21.7K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,046MX$68.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,704MX$113.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al-masna'ah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,968OMR 1,527
$773MX$13.1K
413.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.25
11.45
-54.15%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Al-masna'ah: September 8, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 413% higher in Al-masna'ah, 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 $34.00 in Al-masna'ah versus $47.00 in Playa del Carmen. Groceries tell a different story – $285 in Al-masna'ah vs $278 in Playa del Carmen – so Playa del Carmen 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
Al-masna'ah vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Al-masna'ah and in Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $931 in Al-masna'ah, $1,305 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 40% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Al-masna'ah compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,396 per month in Al-masna'ah and $1,958 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Al-masna'ah or Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $931 in Al-masna'ah and $1,305 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Al-masna'ah and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $282 per month in Al-masna'ah and $226 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Al-masna'ah, where all-in costs run around $931, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,305. In Al-masna'ah 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 Al-masna'ah and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $931 in Al-masna'ah to $1,305 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Al-masna'ah and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Al-masna'ah. 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.
Al-masna'ah vs other spots: cost of living compared