🙂A single person spends $490 per month in Chlef vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $737 per month in Chlef vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $983 per month in Chlef vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Chlef is about 62% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Chlef and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Chlef63% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.71DZD 227
$11.94MX$209
-85.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.95DZD 3,173
$42.75MX$748
-43.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$1.86DZD 247
$10.59MX$185
-82.44%
Cappuccino
$0.93DZD 123
$3.62MX$63.4
-74.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48DZD 63.3
$1.47MX$25.69
-67.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23DZD 30.60
$0.94MX$16.51
-75.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.14DZD 151
$3.09MX$54.1
-63.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.31DZD 306
$4.46MX$78.0
-48.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.54DZD 72.0
$1.43MX$24.94
-62.24%
White Bread(500g)
$0.11DZD 15.24
$1.88MX$32.97
-94.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.53DZD 202
$1.63MX$28.50
-6.13%
Eggs
$1.44DZD 191
$2.64MX$46.26
-45.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$2.88DZD 382
$8.21MX$144
-64.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.23DZD 560
$8.29MX$145
-48.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.56DZD 1,400
$11.10MX$194
-4.86%
Apples(1kg)
$3.21DZD 425
$2.65MX$46.40
21.13%
Banana(1kg)
$2.86DZD 379
$1.50MX$26.26
90.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.37DZD 181
$1.99MX$34.79
-31.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.28DZD 36.90
$2.08MX$36.33
-86.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.36DZD 47.85
$1.79MX$31.29
-79.89%
Onion(1kg)
$0.49DZD 65.4
$2.18MX$38.09
-77.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66DZD 87.8
$1.08MX$18.84
-38.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.30DZD 39.88
$1.04MX$18.15
-71.15%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46DZD 327
$3.97MX$69.5
-38.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.85DZD 907
$10.20MX$179
-32.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.08DZD 143
$1.73MX$30.22
-37.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96DZD 259
$2.50MX$43.71
-21.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15DZD 19.45
$0.52MX$9.07
-71.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.32DZD 2,295
$26.97MX$472
-35.78%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.66DZD 87.7
$3.14MX$55.0
-78.98%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33DZD 44.12
$2.40MX$42.04
-86.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.98DZD 528
$3.09MX$54.0
28.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.35DZD 45.82
$1.27MX$22.28
-72.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.7KDZD 4.2M
$30.9KMX$540.4K
2.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.2KDZD 4.4M
$23.3KMX$408.0K
42.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.64DZD 4,457
$82.0MX$1,435
-58.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.41DZD 1,247
$22.45MX$393
-58.08%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.71DZD 2,346
$29.66MX$519
-40.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$10.93DZD 1,448
$51.9MX$908
-78.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.99DZD 926
$18.67MX$327
-62.56%
Cinema Ticket
$2.59DZD 344
$4.97MX$87.0
-47.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$68.8DZD 9,121
$198MX$3,462
-65.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,455DZD 192.8K
$5,273MX$92.3K
-72.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$10.82DZD 1,434
$36.34MX$636
-70.23%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.70DZD 5,923
$40.05MX$701
11.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.2DZD 10.1K
$79.9MX$1,398
-4.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.65DZD 5,784
$88.9MX$1,555
-50.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$197DZD 26.1K
$963MX$16.9K
-79.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$115DZD 15.3K
$465MX$8,133
-75.18%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$164DZD 21.7K
$1,596MX$27.9K
-89.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$113DZD 14.9K
$1,209MX$21.2K
-90.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,020DZD 135.1K
$3,942MX$69.0K
-74.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$522DZD 69.2K
$6,448MX$112.8K
-91.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Chlef
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$449DZD 59.5K
$720MX$12.6K
-37.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
11.42
-56.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Chlef: April 28, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $197 in Chlef 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 61% 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 $24.00 in Chlef versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $151 vs $251 – making Chlef the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Chlef vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Chlef?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 163%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $735 per month in Chlef and $1,930 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Chlef, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $68.8 per month in Chlef and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Chlef and Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 66% 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.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Chlef or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Chlef, where all-in costs run around $490, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Chlef it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Chlef or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Chlef – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Chlef or Playa del Carmen?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Chlef. 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.