🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $184 in Belvaux versus $1,330 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $226 in Belvaux versus $2,336 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $268 in Belvaux versus $3,341 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Belvaux costs roughly 86% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Belvaux87% lower, Playa del Carmen3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$13.02MX$221
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$46.25MX$784
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$12.59MX$213
-
Cappuccino
-
$4.00MX$67.9
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.42MX$24.08
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.81MX$13.73
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.05MX$51.7
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.82MX$116
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.71MX$29.04
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.22MX$37.62
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.72MX$29.13
-
Eggs
-
$2.71MX$45.99
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$9.37MX$159
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$8.86MX$150
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$12.78MX$217
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.13MX$53.0
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.55MX$26.24
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.15MX$36.51
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.35MX$39.89
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$2.02MX$34.23
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.99MX$33.67
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.24MX$21.09
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.19MX$20.21
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.65MX$78.8
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.47MX$177
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.58MX$26.82
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.92MX$49.48
-
🚌 Getting Around
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.56MX$9.53
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$29.76MX$504
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.32MX$90.2
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$3.72MX$63.0
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.78MX$97.9
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.55MX$26.27
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.4KMX$379.1K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$25.6KMX$433.3K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$89.3MX$1,513
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$91.1€77.9
$23.30MX$395
290.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$91.1€77.9
$31.72MX$538
187.14%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$68.8MX$1,165
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.40MX$498
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.06MX$85.7
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$222MX$3,765
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$4,293MX$72.7K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$46.21MX$783
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$44.43MX$753
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$95.5MX$1,618
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$92.5MX$1,568
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,069MX$18.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$393MX$6,663
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,988MX$33.7K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,304MX$22.1K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,037MX$68.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,627MX$112.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Belvaux
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$6,172€5,280
$747MX$12.7K
726.41%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.6
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Belvaux: August 18, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: August 18, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Belvaux pays 726% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
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
Belvaux vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Belvaux or Playa del Carmen?
Belvaux wins on cost – living expenses run 621% lower than in Playa del Carmen. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Belvaux the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Belvaux or in Playa del Carmen?
Average pay runs 726% higher in Belvaux, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Belvaux or in Playa del Carmen?
At $184 in Belvaux versus $1,330 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Belvaux but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Belvaux the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Belvaux or Playa del Carmen?
Both work as nomad bases, but Belvaux delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $184 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Belvaux hard to pass up.
How safe is Belvaux compared to Playa del Carmen?
Safety-wise, Belvaux and Playa del Carmen are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Belvaux gentler on the wallet – expenses run 621% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.