Cost of Living Comparison Between Bugaba and Playa del Carmen Cost of Living Comparison Between Bugaba and Playa del Carmen

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $661 per month in Bugaba vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,022 per month in Bugaba vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,383 per month in Bugaba vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Bugaba is about 49% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Bugaba and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Bugaba 51% lower, Playa del Carmen 4% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.96 PAB 2.96

$11.94 MX$209

-75.21%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.75 MX$748

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.93 PAB 4.93

$10.59 MX$185

-53.45%

Cappuccino

$1.27 PAB 1.27

$3.62 MX$63.4

-64.92%

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

$0.97 PAB 0.97

$1.47 MX$25.69

-34.01%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.52 PAB 0.52

$0.94 MX$16.51

-44.68%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.54 PAB 1.54

$3.09 MX$54.1

-50.16%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$4.46 MX$78.0

-55.83%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.58 PAB 1.58

$1.43 MX$24.94

10.49%

White Bread (500g)

$2.06 PAB 2.06

$1.88 MX$32.97

9.57%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$1.63 MX$28.50

-6.13%

Eggs

$2.71 PAB 2.71

$2.64 MX$46.26

2.65%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$2.97 PAB 2.97

$8.21 MX$144

-63.82%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.34 PAB 3.34

$8.29 MX$145

-59.71%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.08 PAB 4.08

$11.10 MX$194

-63.24%

Apples (1kg)

$1.97 PAB 1.97

$2.65 MX$46.40

-25.66%

Banana (1kg)

$1.48 PAB 1.48

$1.50 MX$26.26

-1.33%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.23 PAB 1.23

$1.99 MX$34.79

-38.19%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.97 PAB 0.97

$2.08 MX$36.33

-53.37%

Potato (1kg)

$1.28 PAB 1.28

$1.79 MX$31.29

-28.49%

Onion (1kg)

$1.46 PAB 1.46

$2.18 MX$38.09

-33.03%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.49 PAB 0.49

$1.08 MX$18.84

-54.63%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.22 PAB 1.22

$1.04 MX$18.15

17.31%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$10.16 PAB 10.16

$3.97 MX$69.5

155.92%

Wine (Bottle)

$10.20 MX$179

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$1.73 MX$30.22

-11.56%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.98 PAB 1.98

$2.50 MX$43.71

-20.80%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.43 PAB 0.43

$0.52 MX$9.07

-17.31%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.27 PAB 30.27

$26.97 MX$472

12.24%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.53 PAB 1.53

$3.14 MX$55.0

-51.27%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.94 PAB 1.94

$2.40 MX$42.04

-19.17%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$19.93 PAB 19.93

$3.09 MX$54.0

544.98%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.05 PAB 1.05

$1.27 MX$22.28

-17.32%

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

$24.6K PAB 24.6K

$30.9K MX$540.4K

-20.48%

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

$18.1K PAB 18.1K

$23.3K MX$408.0K

-22.32%

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

$74.2 PAB 74.2

$82.0 MX$1,435

-9.47%

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

$22.45 MX$393

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.52 PAB 39.52

$29.66 MX$519

33.24%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.59 PAB 34.59

$51.9 MX$908

-33.31%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$49.58 PAB 49.58

$18.67 MX$327

165.56%

Cinema Ticket

$4.05 PAB 4.05

$4.97 MX$87.0

-18.51%

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

$198 MX$3,462

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,273 MX$92.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.1 PAB 54.1

$36.34 MX$636

48.79%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.69 PAB 40.69

$40.05 MX$701

1.60%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$60.9 PAB 60.9

$79.9 MX$1,398

-23.77%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$49.37 PAB 49.37

$88.9 MX$1,555

-44.45%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$198 PAB 198

$963 MX$16.9K

-79.47%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$152 PAB 152

$465 MX$8,133

-67.28%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$649 PAB 649

$1,596 MX$27.9K

-59.31%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$355 PAB 355

$1,209 MX$21.2K

-70.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,942 MX$69.0K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,448 MX$112.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$720 MX$12.6K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

-73.73%

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

Last update for Bugaba: April 25, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $198 in Bugaba 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.

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

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

Playa del Carmen costs about 95% more than Bugaba, with the gap driven mainly by 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 $992 per month in Bugaba and $1,930 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 Bugaba, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $661 in Bugaba and $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 62% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bugaba, where all-in costs run around $661, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Bugaba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bugaba costs $661 versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bugaba. 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.