Cost of Living Comparison Between Az-zabadani and Playa del Carmen Cost of Living Comparison Between Az-zabadani and Playa del Carmen

Monthly Cost of Living

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-zabadani 54% lower, Playa del Carmen 5% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.08 SYP 1,225
$11.96 MX$203
-15.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.77 SYP 5,441
$47.38 MX$804
-5.51%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.11 SYP 864
$11.75 MX$199
-39.49%
Cappuccino
$3.75 SYP 455
$4.12 MX$70.0
-8.98%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23 SYP 271
$1.40 MX$23.74
59.29%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 SYP 96.3
$0.91 MX$15.48
-13.19%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.86 SYP 226
$3.21 MX$54.4
-42.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 SYP 354
$7.07 MX$120
-58.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.04 SYP 127
$1.68 MX$28.44
-38.10%
White Bread (500g)
$0.42 SYP 50.5
$2.15 MX$36.48
-80.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.60 SYP 194
$1.77 MX$30.10
-9.60%
Eggs
$1.64 SYP 199
$2.82 MX$47.76
-41.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.88 SYP 472
$9.20 MX$156
-57.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.85 SYP 711
$9.23 MX$157
-36.62%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.67 SYP 1,661
$12.64 MX$214
8.15%
Apples (1kg)
$1.04 SYP 126
$2.95 MX$50.1
-64.75%
Banana (1kg)
$1.36 SYP 165
$1.58 MX$26.79
-13.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.11 SYP 135
$2.22 MX$37.70
-50.00%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.07 SYP 130
$2.36 MX$40.09
-54.66%
Potato (1kg)
$0.75 SYP 91.0
$1.99 MX$33.81
-62.31%
Onion (1kg)
$0.81 SYP 97.9
$1.98 MX$33.58
-59.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.41 SYP 49.47
$1.24 MX$21.04
-66.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 SYP 79.9
$1.21 MX$20.55
-45.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69 SYP 327
$4.60 MX$78.1
-41.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.14 SYP 747
$10.52 MX$178
-41.63%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 SYP 132
$1.69 MX$28.70
-35.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84 SYP 345
$2.77 MX$47.06
2.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.60 MX$10.22
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$29.70 MX$504
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.01 SYP 123
$5.24 MX$88.8
-80.73%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.55 SYP 189
$3.65 MX$61.9
-57.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$7.62 SYP 926
$5.78 MX$98.1
31.83%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$3.79 SYP 461
$1.54 MX$26.09
146.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.1K SYP 1.8M
$22.8K MX$386.8K
-33.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2K SYP 2.3M
$25.8K MX$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)
$141 SYP 17.2K
$90.7 MX$1,538
55.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.49 SYP 1,154
$25.19 MX$427
-62.33%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.00 SYP 5,590
$31.75 MX$539
44.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$68.8 MX$1,167
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.37 MX$498
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.48 SYP 666
$4.86 MX$82.5
12.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$67.7 SYP 8,221
$226 MX$3,828
-70.02%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,794 SYP 218.0K
$4,194 MX$71.1K
-57.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.98 SYP 3,521
$47.38 MX$804
-38.83%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.99 SYP 4,859
$43.45 MX$737
-7.96%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.7 SYP 7,371
$80.2 MX$1,361
-24.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$57.5 SYP 6,987
$91.4 MX$1,550
-37.09%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,086 MX$18.4K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$409 MX$6,933
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,972 MX$33.5K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,281 MX$21.7K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$4,046 MX$68.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,704 MX$113.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Az-zabadani
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$773 MX$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.

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