Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Boroko and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Boroko: $868 a month against $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $4,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

42

Cost of Living Index in Boroko
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Boroko Living Index
58

Cost of Living Index in Playa del Carmen
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Playa del Carmen Living Index

Jump to prices

Boroko

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea

$868

/mo nomad

Playa del Carmen

🇲🇽 Mexico

$1,204

/mo nomad

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Boroko and in Playa del Carmen

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Boroko and in Playa del Carmen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $868 per month in Boroko vs $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Boroko $868
Playa del Carmen $1,204

A couple spends around $1,259 per month in Boroko vs $2,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Boroko $1,259
Playa del Carmen $2,082

A family of three spends $1,649 per month in Boroko vs $2,959 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Boroko $1,649
Playa del Carmen $2,959

Boroko is about 28% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Boroko and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Boroko 36% lower, Playa del Carmen 12% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.29 PGK 31.67

$10.92 MX$204

-33.24%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$34.42 PGK 149

$43.37 MX$808

-20.64%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.35 PGK 23.26

$11.78 MX$220

-54.58%

Cappuccino

$2.48 PGK 10.76

$3.81 MX$71.0

-34.91%

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

$0.71 PGK 3.06

$1.28 MX$23.90

-44.53%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.64 PGK 2.78

$0.78 MX$14.59

-17.95%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.58 PGK 11.22

$3.17 MX$59.0

-18.61%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.42 PGK 14.85

$4.93 MX$92.0

-30.63%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.50 PGK 6.51

$1.41 MX$26.22

6.38%

White Bread (500g)

$1.16 PGK 5.02

$2.22 MX$41.33

-47.75%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 PGK 5.03

$1.42 MX$26.42

-18.31%

Eggs

$3.55 PGK 15.40

$2.52 MX$47.03

40.87%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$4.98 PGK 21.65

$7.26 MX$135

-31.40%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.79 PGK 20.79

$7.70 MX$143

-37.79%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.61 PGK 28.72

$12.69 MX$237

-47.91%

Apples (1kg)

$3.85 PGK 16.70

$2.78 MX$51.9

38.49%

Banana (1kg)

$3.08 PGK 13.38

$1.37 MX$25.50

124.82%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.72 PGK 11.80

$2.55 MX$47.55

6.67%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.70 PGK 11.74

$2.12 MX$39.58

27.36%

Potato (1kg)

$2.82 PGK 12.24

$1.94 MX$36.13

45.36%

Onion (1kg)

$0.84 PGK 3.65

$1.89 MX$35.16

-55.56%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 PGK 4.86

$1.15 MX$21.37

-2.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.42 PGK 1.83

$1.18 MX$21.98

-64.41%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.42 PGK 23.53

$4.30 MX$80.1

26.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$4.95 PGK 21.52

$9.95 MX$185

-50.25%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 PGK 4.67

$1.58 MX$29.52

-32.28%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.49 PGK 6.48

$2.67 MX$49.79

-44.19%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.42 PGK 1.83

$0.55 MX$10.31

-23.64%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.88 PGK 125

$26.62 MX$496

8.49%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.40 PGK 19.11

$4.97 MX$92.6

-11.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.34 PGK 5.83

$3.33 MX$62.1

-59.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$10.97 PGK 47.66

$5.36 MX$99.8

104.66%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 PGK 3.47

$1.44 MX$26.92

-44.44%

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

$35.7K PGK 155.0K

$20.7K MX$385.2K

72.71%

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

$17.6K PGK 76.4K

$23.5K MX$437.4K

-24.99%

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

$61.6 PGK 267

$84.8 MX$1,581

-27.36%

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

$20.71 PGK 90.0

$23.41 MX$436

-11.53%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$82.1 PGK 357

$28.66 MX$534

186.53%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.86 PGK 182

$57.1 MX$1,063

-26.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.29 PGK 62.1

$28.91 MX$539

-50.57%

Cinema Ticket

$6.47 PGK 28.09

$5.14 MX$95.8

25.88%

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

$333 PGK 1,445

$207 MX$3,851

61.05%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,215 PGK 9,621

$3,927 MX$73.2K

-43.60%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$34.50 PGK 150

$43.35 MX$808

-20.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$12.91 PGK 56.1

$41.44 MX$772

-68.85%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$44.28 PGK 192

$74.2 MX$1,383

-40.32%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.31 PGK 114

$89.3 MX$1,664

-70.52%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,336 PGK 14.5K

$980 MX$18.3K

240.55%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$221 PGK 959

$381 MX$7,099

-42.03%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,257 PGK 14.1K

$1,708 MX$31.8K

90.70%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$218 PGK 947

$1,075 MX$20.0K

-79.72%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,943 MX$73.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,158 MX$114.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$352 PGK 1,530

$735 MX$13.7K

-52.03%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.45

-3.93%

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

Last update for Boroko: October 25, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure

Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.

Accommodation & Living

Boroko

$221 25.4%

Playa del Carmen

$381 31.6% 72.5% $160

Groceries & Markets

Boroko

$204 23.5%

Playa del Carmen

$255 21.2% 24.8% $51

Monthly Utilities & Internet

Boroko

$164 18.9%

Playa del Carmen

$137 11.4% 16.8% $28

Eating Out

Boroko

$129 14.9%

Playa del Carmen

$202 16.8% 56.5% $73

Sport & Entertainment

Boroko

$55 6.3%

Playa del Carmen

$67 5.6% 22.9% $13

Clothing & Footwear

Boroko

$53 6.1%

Playa del Carmen

$112 9.3% 110% $59

Getting Around

Boroko

$42 4.8%

Playa del Carmen

$50 4.2% 21% $8.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,336 in Boroko versus $980 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 in Playa del Carmen are about 2.1 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $34 in Boroko versus $43 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $255 – making Boroko the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know

🇵🇬 Boroko

🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen

🕒 Local time

06:35 6:35 AM

15:35 3:35 PM

15 h behind Boroko

🌤 Weather

👥 Population

149,923

💱 Currency

Papua New Guinean Kina PGK K

Mexican Peso MXN $

📈 Exchange rate

1 PGK = 0.23 USD

1 PGK = 0.207 EUR

100 MXN = 5.36 USD

100 MXN = 4.82 EUR

Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to PGK – Papua New Guinean Kina Converter

🇺🇸 United States Dollar ($)

🇵🇬 Papua New Guinean Kina (K)

Papua New Guinean Kina exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 4.34 PGK (1 PGK = 0.23 USD). 1 EUR = 4.84 PGK (1 PGK = 0.207 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 28, 2026: 1 USD = 18.64 MXN (100 MXN = 5.36 USD). 1 EUR = 20.75 MXN (100 MXN = 4.82 EUR).

USD to PGK in detail →

On the map

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Highest

Between locations

Boroko Playa del Carmen 14,080 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight

From you

Boroko
Playa del Carmen

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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

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

Playa del Carmen costs about 39% more than Boroko, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,302 per month in Boroko and $1,806 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $980 there versus $3,336 in Boroko.

Kindergarten costs $333 per month in Boroko and $207 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 25% more in Playa del Carmen, though the gap depends on what you buy.

$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $868 in Boroko and $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.

It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $868 in Boroko to $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

If budget matters most, go with Boroko. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Playa del Carmen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.