🙂A single person spends $635 per month in Az-zabadani vs $1,305 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,023 per month in Az-zabadani vs $2,334 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,412 per month in Az-zabadani vs $3,362 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Az-zabadani is about 51% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Az-zabadani and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Az-zabadani54% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.08SYP 1,225
$11.96MX$203
-15.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.77SYP 5,441
$47.38MX$804
-5.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.11SYP 864
$11.75MX$199
-39.49%
Cappuccino
$3.75SYP 455
$4.12MX$70.0
-8.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23SYP 271
$1.40MX$23.74
59.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SYP 96.3
$0.91MX$15.48
-13.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.86SYP 226
$3.21MX$54.4
-42.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92SYP 354
$7.07MX$120
-58.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04SYP 127
$1.68MX$28.44
-38.10%
White Bread(500g)
$0.42SYP 50.5
$2.15MX$36.48
-80.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.60SYP 194
$1.77MX$30.10
-9.60%
Eggs
$1.64SYP 199
$2.82MX$47.76
-41.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.88SYP 472
$9.20MX$156
-57.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.85SYP 711
$9.23MX$157
-36.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.67SYP 1,661
$12.64MX$214
8.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.04SYP 126
$2.95MX$50.1
-64.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.36SYP 165
$1.58MX$26.79
-13.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.11SYP 135
$2.22MX$37.70
-50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.07SYP 130
$2.36MX$40.09
-54.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.75SYP 91.0
$1.99MX$33.81
-62.31%
Onion(1kg)
$0.81SYP 97.9
$1.98MX$33.58
-59.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.41SYP 49.47
$1.24MX$21.04
-66.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66SYP 79.9
$1.21MX$20.55
-45.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69SYP 327
$4.60MX$78.1
-41.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.14SYP 747
$10.52MX$178
-41.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09SYP 132
$1.69MX$28.70
-35.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84SYP 345
$2.77MX$47.06
2.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Az-zabadani
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)
$1.01SYP 123
$5.24MX$88.8
-80.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.55SYP 189
$3.65MX$61.9
-57.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.62SYP 926
$5.78MX$98.1
31.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$3.79SYP 461
$1.54MX$26.09
146.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.1KSYP 1.8M
$22.8KMX$386.8K
-33.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2KSYP 2.3M
$25.8KMX$437.9K
-25.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$141SYP 17.2K
$90.7MX$1,538
55.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.49SYP 1,154
$25.19MX$427
-62.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.00SYP 5,590
$31.75MX$539
44.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$68.8MX$1,167
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.37MX$498
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.48SYP 666
$4.86MX$82.5
12.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$67.7SYP 8,221
$226MX$3,828
-70.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,794SYP 218.0K
$4,194MX$71.1K
-57.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.98SYP 3,521
$47.38MX$804
-38.83%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.99SYP 4,859
$43.45MX$737
-7.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.7SYP 7,371
$80.2MX$1,361
-24.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.5SYP 6,987
$91.4MX$1,550
-37.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Az-zabadani
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
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$773MX$13.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.25
11.45
24.45%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Az-zabadani: September 6, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Az-zabadani versus $47.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $169 vs $278 – making Az-zabadani 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
Az-zabadani vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Az-zabadani or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen costs about 106% more than Az-zabadani, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Az-zabadani and in Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $952 per month in Az-zabadani and $1,958 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do dining costs compare in Az-zabadani and in Playa del Carmen?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $45.00 in Az-zabadani and $47.00 in Playa del Carmen. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Az-zabadani or in Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 64% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Az-zabadani or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Az-zabadani, where all-in costs run around $635, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,305. In Az-zabadani it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Az-zabadani or Playa del Carmen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Az-zabadani costs $635 versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Az-zabadani or to Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Az-zabadani. 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.
Az-zabadani vs other spots: cost of living compared