🙂A single person spends $889 per month in Atyrau vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,517 per month in Atyrau vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,145 per month in Atyrau vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Atyrau is about 30% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Atyrau and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Atyrau34% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.75₸4,273
$11.87MX$204
-26.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.53₸15.9K
$42.90MX$736
-24.17%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.21₸3,034
$10.65MX$183
-41.69%
Cappuccino
$1.90₸930
$3.45MX$59.2
-44.93%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13₸550
$1.50MX$25.81
-24.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72₸353
$0.95MX$16.28
-24.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.51₸737
$3.03MX$51.9
-50.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81₸884
$4.61MX$79.1
-60.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.45₸708
$1.38MX$23.61
5.07%
White Bread(500g)
$0.40₸195
$1.85MX$31.70
-78.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.59₸777
$1.61MX$27.65
-1.24%
Eggs
$1.44₸701
$2.59MX$44.51
-44.40%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.94₸4,368
$8.26MX$142
8.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.69₸3,757
$8.37MX$144
-8.12%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.98₸3,407
$10.66MX$183
-34.52%
Apples(1kg)
$1.46₸714
$2.63MX$45.12
-44.49%
Banana(1kg)
$2.33₸1,136
$1.49MX$25.53
56.38%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.04₸996
$1.92MX$32.94
6.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.50₸734
$2.09MX$35.81
-28.23%
Potato(1kg)
$0.59₸288
$1.86MX$31.88
-68.28%
Onion(1kg)
$0.36₸177
$2.26MX$38.81
-84.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09₸532
$1.06MX$18.23
2.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.23₸603
$1.09MX$18.67
12.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19₸1,070
$4.15MX$71.2
-47.23%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.70₸4,247
$10.39MX$178
-16.27%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20₸588
$1.72MX$29.59
-30.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28₸625
$2.61MX$44.85
-50.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₸135
$0.54MX$9.30
-48.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.82₸9,680
$26.94MX$462
-26.43%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.40₸683
$3.13MX$53.7
-55.27%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.23₸111
$2.51MX$43.09
-90.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.95₸2,907
$3.15MX$54.1
88.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.48₸235
$1.27MX$21.88
-62.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.7K₸7.7M
$30.4KMX$521.3K
-48.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2K₸11.3M
$23.6KMX$404.5K
-1.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.02₸22.5K
$83.0MX$1,425
-44.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.36₸4,572
$22.71MX$390
-58.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.73₸6,220
$29.46MX$506
-56.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$58.2₸28.4K
$51.0MX$875
14.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.43₸2,650
$4.93MX$84.5
10.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$256₸125.3K
$197MX$3,386
29.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,021₸1.5M
$5,280MX$90.6K
-42.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.88₸14.1K
$36.90MX$633
-21.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.76₸19.4K
$39.89MX$685
-0.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.4₸38.8K
$80.0MX$1,373
-0.76%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9₸38.0K
$89.5MX$1,536
-12.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$463₸226.1K
$956MX$16.4K
-51.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$303₸148.0K
$477MX$8,189
-36.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$969₸473.1K
$1,646MX$28.3K
-41.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$782₸382.1K
$1,225MX$21.0K
-36.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$835₸407.9K
$3,918MX$67.2K
-78.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$652₸318.3K
$6,459MX$110.9K
-89.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Atyrau
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$669₸326.9K
$667MX$11.4K
0.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
30
11.42
162.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Atyrau: June 9, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $463 in Atyrau versus $956 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.
💰Salaries run about 0% higher in Atyrau, 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 $33.00 in Atyrau versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $201 vs $250 – making Atyrau the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Atyrau vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Atyrau and Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $889 in Atyrau, $1,271 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 43% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Atyrau compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,334 per month in Atyrau and $1,906 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 Atyrau and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Atyrau, 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 Atyrau and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $256 per month in Atyrau and $197 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 24% 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 Atyrau, where all-in costs run around $889, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,271. In Atyrau 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 Atyrau and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $889 in Atyrau to $1,271 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Atyrau 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 Atyrau and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Atyrau. 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.