😐A single person spends $2,621 per month in Hermosa Beach, CA vs $1,259 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $3,916 per month in Hermosa Beach, CA vs $2,177 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,210 per month in Hermosa Beach, CA vs $3,095 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Hermosa Beach, CA costs about 108% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Hermosa Beach, CA sits 96% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 6% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.13$22.13
$11.95MX$208
85.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$101$101
$41.94MX$730
140.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.96$11.96
$10.42MX$181
14.78%
Cappuccino
$5.83$5.83
$3.51MX$61.2
66.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78$2.78
$1.52MX$26.39
82.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02$2.02
$0.91MX$15.84
121.98%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.63$8.63
$3.04MX$52.9
183.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.45$8.45
$4.37MX$76.1
93.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08$1.08
$1.42MX$24.73
-23.94%
White Bread(500g)
$3.91$3.91
$1.83MX$31.87
113.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.17$4.17
$1.63MX$28.45
155.83%
Eggs
$7.06$7.06
$2.54MX$44.20
177.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.77$10.77
$8.57MX$149
25.67%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.58$8.58
$8.49MX$148
1.06%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.53$14.53
$10.80MX$188
34.54%
Apples(1kg)
$3.47$3.47
$2.75MX$47.94
26.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.87$1.87
$1.44MX$25.00
29.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.99$3.99
$1.89MX$32.83
111.11%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.69$4.69
$2.17MX$37.77
116.13%
Potato(1kg)
$2.98$2.98
$1.78MX$30.97
67.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.53$2.53
$2.22MX$38.71
13.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46$1.46
$1.07MX$18.60
36.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.11$2.11
$1.08MX$18.79
95.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$11.12$11.12
$4.15MX$72.2
167.95%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.85$14.85
$10.45MX$182
42.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.60$2.60
$1.74MX$30.34
49.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14$3.14
$2.58MX$44.92
21.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.96$1.96
$0.51MX$8.94
284.31%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$25.94MX$451
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.17$3.17
$3.21MX$55.9
-1.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.64$1.64
$2.50MX$43.55
-34.40%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$28.81$28.81
$3.19MX$55.4
803.13%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24$1.24
$1.26MX$21.87
-1.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.7K$23.7K
$29.7KMX$516.6K
-20.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K$24.2K
$23.7KMX$412.1K
2.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$187$187
$82.0MX$1,427
128.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$45.77$45.77
$22.73MX$395
101.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.5$69.5
$29.42MX$512
136.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.65$42.65
$52.2MX$908
-18.28%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.22$15.22
$18.45MX$321
-17.51%
Cinema Ticket
$16.22$16.22
$4.93MX$85.9
229.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,659$1,659
$202MX$3,511
722.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$12.5K$12.5K
$5,217MX$90.8K
140.55%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.9$56.9
$35.93MX$625
58.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.33$35.33
$40.33MX$702
-12.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.7$84.7
$79.9MX$1,390
5.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5$86.5
$89.3MX$1,554
-3.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,622$1,622
$948MX$16.5K
71.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,354$1,354
$465MX$8,097
191.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,638$2,638
$1,630MX$28.4K
61.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,257$2,257
$1,193MX$20.8K
89.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,332$2,332
$3,933MX$68.4K
-40.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,691$2,691
$6,428MX$111.9K
-58.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hermosa Beach, CA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$7,046$7,046
$658MX$11.5K
970.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.49
11.42
-43.17%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hermosa Beach, CA: July 22, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,622 in Hermosa Beach, CA versus $948 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 970% higher in Hermosa Beach, CA, 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 $101 in Hermosa Beach, CA versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $376 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
Hermosa Beach, CA vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Hermosa Beach, CA?
Yes – Hermosa Beach, CA is pricier by about 108%, 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 $3,932 per month in Hermosa Beach, CA and $1,888 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 Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Hermosa Beach, CA and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,621 in Hermosa Beach, CA and $1,259 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $1,659 per month in Hermosa Beach, CA and $202 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Hermosa Beach, CA or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,259, than in Hermosa Beach, CA at $2,621. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hermosa Beach, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Hermosa Beach, CA or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Playa del Carmen – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Hermosa Beach, CA 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 Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hermosa Beach, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Hermosa Beach, CA vs other spots: cost of living compared