😐A single person spends $2,639 per month in Fredericksburg, VA vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,913 per month in Fredericksburg, VA vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,187 per month in Fredericksburg, VA vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Fredericksburg, VA costs about 104% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Fredericksburg, VA sits 97% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 3% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$27.82$27.82
$11.73MX$203
137.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$78.8$78.8
$41.62MX$721
89.26%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.93$9.93
$10.64MX$184
-6.67%
Cappuccino
$4.71$4.71
$3.52MX$61.0
33.81%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97$2.97
$1.51MX$26.17
96.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.08$2.08
$0.97MX$16.87
114.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.97$5.97
$2.95MX$51.1
102.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.22$9.22
$4.45MX$77.2
107.19%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19$1.19
$1.38MX$23.97
-13.77%
White Bread(500g)
$4.11$4.11
$1.89MX$32.78
117.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.25$4.25
$1.64MX$28.37
159.15%
Eggs
$2.77$2.77
$2.51MX$43.42
10.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.76$17.76
$8.34MX$145
112.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.53$15.53
$8.34MX$145
86.21%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.59$19.59
$10.73MX$186
82.57%
Apples(1kg)
$6.29$6.29
$2.60MX$45.12
141.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50$1.50
$1.46MX$25.25
2.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.27$5.27
$1.90MX$32.94
177.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.41$6.41
$2.08MX$35.98
208.17%
Potato(1kg)
$3.40$3.40
$1.78MX$30.77
91.01%
Onion(1kg)
$3.68$3.68
$2.19MX$37.87
68.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.53$2.53
$1.04MX$18.02
143.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.49$2.49
$1.08MX$18.66
130.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.47$8.47
$4.08MX$70.7
107.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.13$16.13
$10.32MX$179
56.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75$1.75
$1.71MX$29.67
2.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55$2.55
$2.58MX$44.63
-1.16%
🚌 Getting Around
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.95$1.95
$0.51MX$8.83
282.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.46MX$459
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.85$3.85
$3.26MX$56.5
18.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.57$1.57
$2.49MX$43.17
-36.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.54$29.54
$3.25MX$56.3
808.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85$0.85
$1.31MX$22.65
-35.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K$29.8K
$30.3KMX$524.7K
-1.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1K$26.1K
$23.4KMX$406.0K
11.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$202$202
$82.9MX$1,436
143.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$43.20$43.20
$22.22MX$385
94.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.1$69.1
$29.34MX$508
135.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.21$25.21
$51.6MX$895
-51.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.32MX$317
-
Cinema Ticket
$11.49$11.49
$5.07MX$87.8
126.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$2,634$2,634
$201MX$3,480
1211.51%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$39.9K$39.9K
$5,212MX$90.3K
665.85%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0$57.0
$36.92MX$640
54.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.9$50.9
$39.79MX$689
28.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.6$89.6
$78.5MX$1,360
14.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$142$142
$87.1MX$1,509
63.22%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,722$1,722
$973MX$16.9K
77.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,287$1,287
$468MX$8,105
175.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,031$3,031
$1,641MX$28.4K
84.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,161$2,161
$1,221MX$21.2K
77.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,225$3,225
$3,946MX$68.4K
-18.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,246$3,246
$6,498MX$112.6K
-50.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Fredericksburg, VA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,555$4,555
$664MX$11.5K
586.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.45
11.42
-43.52%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Fredericksburg, VA: May 31, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,722 in Fredericksburg, VA 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 586% higher in Fredericksburg, VA, 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 $79.0 in Fredericksburg, VA versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $468 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
Fredericksburg, VA vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Fredericksburg, VA and Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,639 in Fredericksburg, VA, $1,297 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 104% apart. Fredericksburg, VA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Fredericksburg, VA compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $3,959 per month in Fredericksburg, VA 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 Fredericksburg, VA 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 has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $79.0 in Fredericksburg, VA and $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 88% more in Fredericksburg, VA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
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 Fredericksburg, VA at $2,639. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Fredericksburg, VA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Fredericksburg, VA 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 $2,639 in Fredericksburg, VA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Fredericksburg, VA 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, Fredericksburg, VA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Fredericksburg, VA vs other spots: cost of living compared