🙂A single person spends $628 per month in Beja vs $1,256 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,097 per month in Beja vs $2,137 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,565 per month in Beja vs $3,017 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Beja is about 50% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Beja and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Beja53% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.88TND 10.99
$11.99MX$210
-67.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.19TND 48.70
$41.78MX$733
-58.86%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.82TND 13.64
$10.75MX$189
-55.16%
Cappuccino
$0.71TND 2.00
$3.50MX$61.3
-79.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52TND 1.48
$1.45MX$25.41
-64.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23TND 0.65
$0.88MX$15.52
-73.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.17TND 3.32
$2.95MX$51.7
-60.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.63TND 4.62
$4.51MX$79.1
-63.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.46TND 1.30
$1.43MX$25.12
-67.83%
White Bread(500g)
$0.16TND 0.44
$1.84MX$32.23
-91.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27TND 3.59
$1.57MX$27.51
-19.11%
Eggs
$1.65TND 4.68
$2.51MX$44.06
-34.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.66TND 18.87
$8.28MX$145
-19.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.74TND 16.26
$8.43MX$148
-31.91%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.77TND 39.02
$10.68MX$187
28.93%
Apples(1kg)
$1.58TND 4.48
$2.61MX$45.76
-39.46%
Banana(1kg)
$3.19TND 9.03
$1.44MX$25.22
121.53%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92TND 2.61
$1.96MX$34.41
-53.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.62TND 1.74
$2.09MX$36.74
-70.33%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71TND 2.01
$1.85MX$32.47
-61.62%
Onion(1kg)
$0.59TND 1.69
$2.17MX$38.02
-72.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.41TND 1.16
$1.03MX$18.09
-60.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.31TND 0.88
$1.07MX$18.84
-71.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.62TND 10.27
$4.10MX$72.0
-11.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$5.12TND 14.52
$10.17MX$178
-49.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19TND 3.38
$1.68MX$29.38
-29.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09TND 3.08
$2.53MX$44.31
-56.92%
🚌 Getting Around
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42TND 1.20
$0.51MX$8.93
-17.65%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.19TND 28.88
$26.04MX$457
-60.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.34TND 0.96
$3.23MX$56.7
-89.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33TND 0.94
$2.41MX$42.19
-86.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.19TND 17.55
$3.23MX$56.6
91.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79TND 2.24
$1.32MX$23.17
-40.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$48.2KTND 136.6K
$29.7KMX$520.9K
62.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.4KTND 103.0K
$23.7KMX$415.0K
53.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.5TND 146
$82.0MX$1,439
-37.18%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.88TND 30.84
$22.95MX$403
-52.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.16TND 51.5
$30.11MX$528
-39.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.00TND 59.5
$52.0MX$912
-59.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.73TND 67.3
$18.53MX$325
28.06%
Cinema Ticket
$6.35TND 18.00
$4.98MX$87.3
27.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$61.1TND 173
$197MX$3,463
-69.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,217TND 3,449
$5,336MX$93.6K
-77.19%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.92TND 119
$35.60MX$624
17.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$60.9TND 173
$40.33MX$707
50.95%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$125TND 355
$78.8MX$1,381
58.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.4TND 236
$88.9MX$1,560
-6.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$194TND 551
$947MX$16.6K
-79.47%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$137TND 389
$474MX$8,314
-71.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$377TND 1,067
$1,644MX$28.8K
-77.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$404TND 1,144
$1,211MX$21.2K
-66.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$397TND 1,126
$4,056MX$71.1K
-90.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$110TND 311
$6,470MX$113.5K
-98.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Beja
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$332TND 941
$654MX$11.5K
-49.21%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12
11.42
5.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Beja: July 13, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $194 in Beja versus $947 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 97% higher in Playa del Carmen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $17.00 in Beja versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $169 vs $249 – making Beja 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
Beja vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Beja or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen costs about 100% more than Beja, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Beja and in Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $942 per month in Beja and $1,884 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Beja or Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Beja, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Beja compared to Playa del Carmen?
Public transport costs about 156% less in Beja. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Beja and in Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $61.1 per month in Beja and $197 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Beja or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Beja, where all-in costs run around $628, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,256. In Beja 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, Beja or Playa del Carmen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Beja costs $628 versus $1,256 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Beja compared to Playa del Carmen?
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.
Should I move to Beja or to Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Beja. 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.