😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,462 in Biasca versus $1,294 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,108 in Biasca versus $2,189 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,754 in Biasca versus $3,084 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Living in Biasca is roughly 168% more expensive than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Biasca is 160% above, Playa del Carmen is 3% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$21.83CHF 17.32
$11.73MX$202
86.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$61.8CHF 48.97
$41.78MX$719
47.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.16CHF 9.65
$10.41MX$179
16.81%
Cappuccino
$4.19CHF 3.32
$3.61MX$62.1
16.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.97CHF 4.74
$1.46MX$25.06
308.90%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.39CHF 4.27
$0.97MX$16.70
455.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$10.33CHF 8.20
$2.92MX$50.3
253.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.57CHF 6.00
$4.62MX$79.5
63.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.28CHF 1.81
$1.43MX$24.59
59.44%
White Bread(500g)
$3.94CHF 3.13
$1.90MX$32.70
107.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.25CHF 4.16
$1.57MX$26.95
234.39%
Eggs
$8.06CHF 6.39
$2.64MX$45.34
205.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$29.58CHF 23.46
$8.44MX$145
250.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$35.44CHF 28.11
$8.58MX$148
313.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$43.37CHF 34.40
$11.00MX$189
294.27%
Apples(1kg)
$3.66CHF 2.90
$2.70MX$46.51
35.56%
Banana(1kg)
$2.17CHF 1.72
$1.51MX$25.92
43.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.86CHF 2.27
$1.91MX$32.93
49.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.37CHF 5.84
$2.17MX$37.37
239.63%
Potato(1kg)
$2.26CHF 1.79
$1.87MX$32.25
20.86%
Onion(1kg)
$2.52CHF 2.00
$2.23MX$38.43
13.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.65CHF 2.10
$1.08MX$18.60
145.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.67CHF 1.32
$1.07MX$18.47
56.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.96CHF 7.90
$4.16MX$71.6
139.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.23CHF 15.25
$10.29MX$177
86.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.06CHF 3.22
$1.68MX$28.95
141.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.28CHF 3.39
$2.53MX$43.59
69.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.84CHF 3.04
$0.55MX$9.53
598.18%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$99.8CHF 79.1
$26.29MX$452
279.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$8.70CHF 6.90
$3.20MX$55.0
171.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$5.44CHF 4.32
$2.46MX$42.37
121.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$87.1CHF 69.1
$3.20MX$55.0
2621.87%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.12CHF 1.68
$1.32MX$22.72
60.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.8KCHF 31.6K
$30.2KMX$518.8K
32.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.6KCHF 33.8K
$23.4KMX$402.5K
82.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$297CHF 236
$81.4MX$1,400
265.32%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$69.0CHF 54.7
$22.41MX$386
207.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$59.4CHF 47.10
$29.97MX$516
98.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$89.6CHF 71.1
$51.6MX$887
73.76%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.39MX$316
-
Cinema Ticket
$23.25CHF 18.44
$5.16MX$88.9
350.58%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$3,986CHF 3,161
$202MX$3,471
1875.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$40.3KCHF 32.0K
$5,311MX$91.4K
658.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$109CHF 86.2
$35.61MX$613
205.20%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.7CHF 42.59
$40.37MX$695
33.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$157CHF 124
$78.6MX$1,353
99.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$185CHF 146
$86.9MX$1,495
112.56%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,674CHF 1,328
$950MX$16.3K
76.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,491CHF 1,182
$478MX$8,227
211.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,777CHF 2,202
$1,621MX$27.9K
71.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,468CHF 1,957
$1,223MX$21.0K
101.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$16.7KCHF 13.2K
$4,009MX$69.0K
316.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$11.7KCHF 9,274
$6,473MX$111.4K
80.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Biasca
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$673MX$11.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
2.5
11.42
-78.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Biasca: June 14, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,674 in Biasca and $950 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $62.0 in Biasca vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $701 vs $254 per month, with Playa del Carmen cheaper across the board.
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
Biasca vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Biasca and Playa del Carmen?
Biasca and Playa del Carmen differ by about 168% in total monthly costs ($3,462 vs $1,294 including rent). Playa del Carmen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Biasca compared to Playa del Carmen?
You'd need roughly $5,193 in Biasca and $1,941 in Playa del Carmen to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Biasca and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,674 in Biasca versus $950 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Biasca or Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $3,462 per month in Biasca versus $1,294 in Playa del Carmen – a 168% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Biasca and Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 279% less than in Biasca. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,294 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,462 in Biasca, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Biasca. The gap between the two cities makes Playa del Carmen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Biasca and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Biasca or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Biasca 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.
Where should expats move: Biasca or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 168% less than in Biasca. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.