😐A single person spends $2,384 per month in Fort Atkinson, WI vs $1,261 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,493 per month in Fort Atkinson, WI vs $2,130 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,603 per month in Fort Atkinson, WI vs $2,999 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Fort Atkinson, WI costs about 89% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Fort Atkinson, WI sits 78% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 6% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.93$14.93
$11.67MX$202
27.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$88.0$88.0
$41.88MX$726
110.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.56$11.56
$10.40MX$180
11.15%
Cappuccino
$5.47$5.47
$3.61MX$62.6
51.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92$2.92
$1.47MX$25.45
98.64%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39$2.39
$0.91MX$15.80
162.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.93$5.93
$3.03MX$52.6
95.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.43$8.43
$4.47MX$77.4
88.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.82$0.82
$1.38MX$23.83
-40.58%
White Bread(500g)
$2.17$2.17
$1.84MX$31.93
17.93%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.25$3.25
$1.61MX$27.82
101.86%
Eggs
$3.95$3.95
$2.57MX$44.52
53.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.90$7.90
$8.49MX$147
-6.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$11.17$11.17
$8.49MX$147
31.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.28$11.28
$10.99MX$190
2.64%
Apples(1kg)
$5.78$5.78
$2.73MX$47.25
111.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63$1.63
$1.50MX$25.92
8.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.00$3.00
$1.96MX$33.93
53.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.50$3.50
$2.12MX$36.70
65.09%
Potato(1kg)
$1.25$1.25
$1.86MX$32.30
-32.80%
Onion(1kg)
$2.41$2.41
$2.17MX$37.67
11.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.99$1.99
$1.07MX$18.59
85.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03$2.03
$1.05MX$18.18
93.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.30$11.30
$4.19MX$72.6
169.69%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.46$8.46
$10.28MX$178
-17.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77$1.77
$1.67MX$28.87
5.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.29$3.29
$2.49MX$43.12
32.13%
🚌 Getting Around
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.01$2.01
$0.54MX$9.37
272.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.27MX$455
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.53$3.53
$3.10MX$53.8
13.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.37$1.37
$2.46MX$42.66
-44.31%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.51$29.51
$3.24MX$56.1
810.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76$0.76
$1.26MX$21.83
-39.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.4K$34.4K
$30.2KMX$522.8K
14.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9K$25.9K
$23.4KMX$406.3K
10.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$171$171
$84.0MX$1,456
103.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$49.30$49.30
$22.21MX$385
121.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$50.2$50.2
$29.65MX$514
69.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.47$43.47
$52.6MX$912
-17.42%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.34MX$318
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.87$7.87
$4.95MX$85.7
58.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,222$1,222
$198MX$3,438
515.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.8K$23.8K
$5,322MX$92.2K
347.86%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.64$19.64
$35.95MX$623
-45.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.06$15.06
$40.06MX$694
-62.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$45.22$45.22
$78.8MX$1,365
-42.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$63.8$63.8
$86.5MX$1,499
-26.25%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,594$1,594
$977MX$16.9K
63.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,339$1,339
$471MX$8,158
184.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,585$2,585
$1,595MX$27.6K
62.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,238$2,238
$1,215MX$21.1K
84.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,671$2,671
$4,032MX$69.9K
-33.76%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,129$2,129
$6,579MX$114.0K
-67.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fort Atkinson, WI
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$714MX$12.4K
-
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 Fort Atkinson, WI: April 21, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,594 in Fort Atkinson, WI versus $977 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $88 in Fort Atkinson, WI versus $42 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $313 vs $252 – 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
Fort Atkinson, WI vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Fort Atkinson, WI or Playa del Carmen?
Fort Atkinson, WI costs about 89% more than Playa del Carmen, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Fort Atkinson, WI vs Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,576 per month in Fort Atkinson, WI and $1,891 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Fort Atkinson, WI or 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.
How much does it cost to live in Fort Atkinson, WI compared to Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,384 in Fort Atkinson, WI and $1,261 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Fort Atkinson, WI and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $1,222 per month in Fort Atkinson, WI and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Fort Atkinson, WI or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,261, than in Fort Atkinson, WI at $2,384. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Fort Atkinson, WI it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Fort Atkinson, WI or Playa del Carmen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,261 versus $2,384 in Fort Atkinson, WI. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Fort Atkinson, WI compared to 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.
Should I move to Fort Atkinson, WI or Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Fort Atkinson, WI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Fort Atkinson, WI vs other spots: cost of living compared