πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,073 in Esenyurt versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,681 in Esenyurt versus $2,184 in Playa del Carmen.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,289 in Esenyurt versus $3,082 in Playa del Carmen.
πLiving in Esenyurt costs roughly 17% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Esenyurt20% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.44βΊ426
$11.94MX$209
-20.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.68βΊ1,385
$42.75MX$748
-28.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.42βΊ335
$10.59MX$185
-29.93%
Cappuccino
$2.83βΊ128
$3.62MX$63.4
-21.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13βΊ51.0
$1.47MX$25.69
-23.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42βΊ19.14
$0.94MX$16.51
-55.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21βΊ99.9
$3.09MX$54.1
-28.48%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.27βΊ102
$4.46MX$78.0
-49.10%
π Groceries & Markets
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96βΊ43.22
$1.43MX$24.94
-32.87%
White Bread(500g)
$0.80βΊ36.26
$1.88MX$32.97
-57.45%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.95βΊ88.2
$1.63MX$28.50
19.63%
Eggs
$1.96βΊ88.6
$2.64MX$46.26
-25.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.15βΊ413
$8.21MX$144
11.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.64βΊ255
$8.29MX$145
-31.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.42βΊ832
$11.10MX$194
65.95%
Apples(1kg)
$1.42βΊ64.0
$2.65MX$46.40
-46.42%
Banana(1kg)
$2.19βΊ98.7
$1.50MX$26.26
46.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.32βΊ59.7
$1.99MX$34.79
-33.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55βΊ69.9
$2.08MX$36.33
-25.48%
Potato(1kg)
$0.76βΊ34.29
$1.79MX$31.29
-57.54%
Onion(1kg)
$0.46βΊ20.74
$2.18MX$38.09
-78.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90βΊ40.54
$1.08MX$18.84
-16.67%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.28βΊ12.49
$1.04MX$18.15
-73.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19βΊ98.7
$3.97MX$69.5
-44.84%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.29βΊ555
$10.20MX$179
20.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98βΊ89.2
$1.73MX$30.22
14.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07βΊ93.6
$2.50MX$43.71
-17.20%
π Getting Around
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.52
$0.52MX$9.07
21.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.19βΊ1,363
$26.97MX$472
11.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.96βΊ43.13
$3.14MX$55.0
-69.43%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.59βΊ26.82
$2.40MX$42.04
-75.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.98βΊ405
$3.09MX$54.0
190.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21βΊ54.5
$1.27MX$22.28
-4.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.8KβΊ1.9M
$30.9KMX$540.4K
35.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ1.9M
$23.3KMX$408.0K
83.89%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$57.9βΊ2,612
$82.0MX$1,435
-29.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.79βΊ442
$22.45MX$393
-56.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$11.93βΊ539
$29.66MX$519
-59.78%
π Sport & Entertainment
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.20βΊ1,950
$51.9MX$908
-16.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.67MX$327
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.82βΊ353
$4.97MX$87.0
57.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$364βΊ16.4K
$198MX$3,462
83.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.9KβΊ806.7K
$5,273MX$92.3K
238.92%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.2βΊ2,582
$36.34MX$636
57.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.47βΊ2,007
$40.05MX$701
11.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103βΊ4,628
$79.9MX$1,398
28.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.2βΊ3,618
$88.9MX$1,555
-9.82%
π Accommodation & Living
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$514βΊ23.2K
$963MX$16.9K
-46.65%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$399βΊ18.0K
$465MX$8,133
-14.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$874βΊ39.5K
$1,596MX$27.9K
-45.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$704βΊ31.8K
$1,209MX$21.2K
-41.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,340βΊ60.5K
$3,942MX$69.0K
-66.01%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$946βΊ42.7K
$6,448MX$112.8K
-85.32%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Esenyurt
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,045βΊ47.2K
$720MX$12.6K
45.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
42.62
11.42
273.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Esenyurt: April 27, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $514 in Esenyurt and $963 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Esenyurt pays 45% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $31.00 in Esenyurt vs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $251 per month, with Esenyurt 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
Esenyurt vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Esenyurt and Playa del Carmen?
Esenyurt and Playa del Carmen differ by about 20% in total monthly costs ($1,073 vs $1,287 including rent). Esenyurt is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Esenyurt or Playa del Carmen?
Esenyurt pays 45% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Esenyurt and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $514 in Esenyurt versus $963 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Esenyurt and Playa del Carmen?
Childcare runs $364 in Esenyurt versus $198 in Playa del Carmen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 11% higher in Playa del Carmen. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,073 in Esenyurt versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Esenyurt but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Esenyurt the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Esenyurt and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Esenyurt or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Esenyurt 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: Esenyurt or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Esenyurt gentler on the wallet β expenses run 20% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.