😐A single person spends $2,702 per month in Dodge City, KS vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,830 per month in Dodge City, KS vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,957 per month in Dodge City, KS vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Dodge City, KS costs about 108% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Dodge City, KS sits 102% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 3% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$19.65$19.65
$11.73MX$205
67.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$54.9$54.9
$41.62MX$727
31.98%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.19$10.19
$10.64MX$186
-4.23%
Cappuccino
$4.62$4.62
$3.52MX$61.5
31.25%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51$2.51
$1.51MX$26.37
66.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79$1.79
$0.97MX$17.00
84.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.43$5.43
$2.95MX$51.5
84.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.95$5.95
$4.45MX$77.8
33.71%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87$0.87
$1.38MX$24.16
-36.96%
White Bread(500g)
$3.71$3.71
$1.89MX$33.04
96.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.36$4.36
$1.64MX$28.59
165.85%
Eggs
$3.84$3.84
$2.51MX$43.76
52.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.64$9.64
$8.34MX$146
15.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.39$10.39
$8.34MX$146
24.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.55$17.55
$10.73MX$187
63.56%
Apples(1kg)
$2.49$2.49
$2.60MX$45.48
-4.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60$1.60
$1.46MX$25.45
9.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.75$3.75
$1.90MX$33.19
97.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.37$2.37
$2.08MX$36.26
13.94%
Potato(1kg)
$2.55$2.55
$1.78MX$31.01
43.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.24$2.24
$2.19MX$38.16
2.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.98$1.98
$1.04MX$18.16
90.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.78$1.78
$1.08MX$18.80
64.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.56$9.56
$4.08MX$71.3
134.31%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.82$11.82
$10.32MX$180
14.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.22$2.22
$1.71MX$29.90
29.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.74$3.74
$2.58MX$44.98
44.96%
🚌 Getting Around
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.94$1.94
$0.51MX$8.90
280.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.46MX$462
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.55$2.55
$3.26MX$57.0
-21.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.52$1.52
$2.49MX$43.51
-38.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$26.32$26.32
$3.25MX$56.7
709.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75$0.75
$1.31MX$22.83
-42.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.6K$28.6K
$30.3KMX$528.8K
-5.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K$24.2K
$23.4KMX$409.2K
3.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$321$321
$82.9MX$1,447
287.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.9$54.9
$22.22MX$388
147.03%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.9$72.9
$29.34MX$512
148.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.66$43.66
$51.6MX$902
-15.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.32MX$320
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.13$13.13
$5.07MX$88.5
158.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$906$906
$201MX$3,507
351.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$16.2K$16.2K
$5,212MX$91.0K
210.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.15$46.15
$36.92MX$645
25.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.29$39.29
$39.79MX$695
-1.26%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$108$108
$78.5MX$1,370
37.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109$109
$87.1MX$1,521
24.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,624$1,624
$973MX$17.0K
66.94%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,332$1,332
$468MX$8,169
184.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,587$2,587
$1,641MX$28.7K
57.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,251$2,251
$1,221MX$21.3K
84.38%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995$1,995
$3,946MX$68.9K
-49.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,038$2,038
$6,498MX$113.5K
-68.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Dodge City, KS
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,852$2,852
$664MX$11.6K
329.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.52
11.42
-42.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Dodge City, KS: May 31, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,624 in Dodge City, KS versus $973 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 330% higher in Dodge City, KS, 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 $55.0 in Dodge City, KS versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $345 vs $249 – making Playa del Carmen 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
Dodge City, KS vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Dodge City, KS and Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,702 in Dodge City, KS, $1,297 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 108% apart. Dodge City, KS costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Dodge City, KS compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,053 per month in Dodge City, KS and $1,945 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Dodge City, KS and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Dodge City, KS or Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,702 in Dodge City, KS and $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Dodge City, KS and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $906 per month in Dodge City, KS and $201 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,297, than in Dodge City, KS at $2,702. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Dodge City, KS it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Dodge City, KS and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,297 in Playa del Carmen to $2,702 in Dodge City, KS. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Dodge City, KS or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Dodge City, KS and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Dodge City, KS makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Dodge City, KS vs other spots: cost of living compared