🙂A single person spends $656 per month in Benxi vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $938 per month in Benxi vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,221 per month in Benxi vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Benxi is about 49% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Benxi and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Benxi51% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Moneda
🍽 Eating Out
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.77¥18.99
$11.94MX$209
-76.80%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.51¥140
$42.75MX$748
-52.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.94¥33.82
$10.59MX$185
-53.35%
Cappuccino
$2.59¥17.71
$3.62MX$63.4
-28.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45¥3.12
$1.47MX$25.69
-69.39%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29¥1.99
$0.94MX$16.51
-69.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.71¥4.88
$3.09MX$54.1
-77.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65¥11.32
$4.46MX$78.0
-63.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70¥11.65
$1.43MX$24.94
18.88%
White Bread(500g)
$1.14¥7.78
$1.88MX$32.97
-39.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.79¥5.43
$1.63MX$28.50
-51.53%
Eggs
$1.11¥7.58
$2.64MX$46.26
-57.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.16¥62.8
$8.21MX$144
11.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.79¥19.10
$8.29MX$145
-66.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.19¥56.1
$11.10MX$194
-26.22%
Apples(1kg)
$1.40¥9.62
$2.65MX$46.40
-47.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.28¥8.80
$1.50MX$26.26
-14.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.54¥10.56
$1.99MX$34.79
-22.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.22¥8.33
$2.08MX$36.33
-41.35%
Potato(1kg)
$0.58¥3.97
$1.79MX$31.29
-67.60%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77¥12.11
$2.18MX$38.09
-18.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.17¥8.01
$1.08MX$18.84
8.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60¥4.11
$1.04MX$18.15
-42.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76¥18.91
$3.97MX$69.5
-30.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.16¥55.9
$10.20MX$179
-20.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.58¥3.99
$1.73MX$30.22
-66.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91¥6.20
$2.50MX$43.71
-63.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27¥1.85
$0.52MX$9.07
-48.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.27¥77.2
$26.97MX$472
-58.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82¥5.62
$3.14MX$55.0
-73.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.26¥1.77
$2.40MX$42.04
-89.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.53¥24.15
$3.09MX$54.0
14.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06¥7.23
$1.27MX$22.28
-16.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$17.9K¥122.5K
$30.9KMX$540.4K
-42.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$16.5K¥112.7K
$23.3KMX$408.0K
-29.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$51.8¥355
$82.0MX$1,435
-36.85%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.24¥42.71
$22.45MX$393
-72.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.89¥67.8
$29.66MX$519
-66.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$62.7¥429
$51.9MX$908
20.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.59¥52.0
$18.67MX$327
-59.35%
Cinema Ticket
$4.94¥33.82
$4.97MX$87.0
-0.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$413¥2,828
$198MX$3,462
108.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,426¥57.7K
$5,273MX$92.3K
59.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.40¥188
$36.34MX$636
-24.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.53¥209
$40.05MX$701
-23.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$55.9¥383
$79.9MX$1,398
-30.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$48.57¥333
$88.9MX$1,555
-45.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$127¥868
$963MX$16.9K
-86.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$190¥1,302
$465MX$8,133
-59.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$246¥1,686
$1,596MX$27.9K
-84.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$139¥952
$1,209MX$21.2K
-88.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,056¥20.9K
$3,942MX$69.0K
-22.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,002¥13.7K
$6,448MX$112.8K
-68.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Benxi
Playa del Carmen
Diferencia
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$438¥3,002
$720MX$12.6K
-39.17%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
11.42
-64.97%
Los datos de CityCost se basan en IA y aportaciones de usuarios. Puede haber pequeñas variaciones.
Última actualización para Benxi: April 26, 2026
Última actualización para Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $127 in Benxi versus $963 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 64% 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 $21.00 in Benxi versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $167 vs $251 – making Benxi the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Comparación de velocidades medias de internet por ciudad (actualizado April 2026)
El gráfico resalta el umbral de precisión para velocidades de internet móvil y fija, actualizado trimestralmente.
Índice del coste de vida para nómadas digitales
Benxi vs Playa del Carmen: Coste de vida - preguntas frecuentes
Which city is more expensive, Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen costs about 96% more than Benxi, 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 Benxi vs Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $983 per month in Benxi and $1,930 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Benxi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Benxi and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $413 per month in Benxi and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 50% 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 Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Benxi, where all-in costs run around $656, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Benxi 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, Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Benxi costs $656 versus $1,287 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 Benxi or Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Benxi. 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.