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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $284 per month in Bakau vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A couple spends around $489 per month in Bakau vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A family of three spends $695 per month in Bakau vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Bakau is about 78% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Bakau and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Bakau 79% lower, Playa del Carmen 3% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.15 GMD 307

$11.73 MX$203

-64.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.62 MX$720

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.64 MX$184

Cappuccino

$4.64 GMD 343

$3.52 MX$60.9

31.82%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 MX$26.12

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.11 GMD 82.2

$0.97 MX$16.84

14.43%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.78 GMD 132

$2.95 MX$51.0

-39.66%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.87 GMD 212

$4.45 MX$77.0

-35.51%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.59 GMD 191

$1.38 MX$23.93

87.68%

White Bread (500g)

$1.89 MX$32.72

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 MX$28.32

Eggs

$5.67 GMD 419

$2.51 MX$43.34

125.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.34 MX$144

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$16.87 GMD 1,247

$8.34 MX$144

102.28%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.73 MX$186

Apples (1kg)

$2.60 MX$45.04

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 MX$25.20

Oranges (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.87

Tomato (1kg)

$2.08 MX$35.91

Potato (1kg)

$1.78 MX$30.71

Onion (1kg)

$2.19 MX$37.80

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MX$17.99

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 MX$18.62

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.08 MX$70.6

Wine (Bottle)

$13.58 GMD 1,004

$10.32 MX$178

31.59%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.15 GMD 159

$1.71 MX$29.61

25.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.91 GMD 215

$2.58 MX$44.54

12.79%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 MX$8.81

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.46 MX$458

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 MX$56.4

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.49 MX$43.09

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.25 MX$56.2

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 MX$22.61

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.3K MX$523.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.4K MX$405.3K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$82.9 MX$1,433

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$22.22 MX$384

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.34 MX$507

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.6 MX$893

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.32 MX$317

Cinema Ticket

$5.07 MX$87.6

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$201 MX$3,473

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,212 MX$90.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.92 MX$639

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.79 MX$688

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.5 MX$1,357

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.1 MX$1,506

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$973 MX$16.8K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MX$8,090

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,641 MX$28.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$70.1 GMD 5,180

$1,221 MX$21.1K

-94.26%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,946 MX$68.3K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,498 MX$112.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$664 MX$11.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

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

Last update for Bakau: June 2, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026

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

Bakau vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa del Carmen costs about 356% more than Bakau, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $426 per month in Bakau and $1,945 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $284 in Bakau and $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 41% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bakau, where all-in costs run around $284, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Bakau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bakau costs $284 versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bakau. 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.