😐A single person spends $1,298 per month in Hiratsuka vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,024 per month in Hiratsuka vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,749 per month in Hiratsuka vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Hiratsuka and Playa del Carmen have comparable living costs – the differences are in the details.
📊Both Hiratsuka and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Hiratsuka3% lower, Playa del Carmen3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.60¥895
$11.73MX$203
-52.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.44¥3,269
$41.62MX$721
-50.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.07¥652
$10.64MX$184
-61.75%
Cappuccino
$2.72¥434
$3.52MX$61.0
-22.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.20¥192
$1.51MX$26.17
-20.53%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80¥128
$0.97MX$16.87
-17.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.01¥482
$2.95MX$51.1
2.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03¥485
$4.45MX$77.2
-31.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54¥246
$1.38MX$23.97
11.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.81¥290
$1.89MX$32.78
-4.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$5.07¥811
$1.64MX$28.37
209.15%
Eggs
$2.46¥393
$2.51MX$43.42
-1.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.46¥2,793
$8.34MX$145
109.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.45¥1,192
$8.34MX$145
-10.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$15.30¥2,448
$10.73MX$186
42.59%
Apples(1kg)
$9.22¥1,474
$2.60MX$45.12
254.62%
Banana(1kg)
$2.87¥459
$1.46MX$25.25
96.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.99¥798
$1.90MX$32.94
162.63%
Tomato(1kg)
$9.99¥1,598
$2.08MX$35.98
380.29%
Potato(1kg)
$3.85¥615
$1.78MX$30.77
116.29%
Onion(1kg)
$2.58¥412
$2.19MX$37.87
17.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.37¥219
$1.04MX$18.02
31.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.44¥230
$1.08MX$18.66
33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.54¥566
$4.08MX$70.7
-13.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.27¥1,483
$10.32MX$179
-10.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80¥449
$1.71MX$29.67
63.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.39¥383
$2.58MX$44.63
-7.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.59¥254
$0.51MX$8.83
211.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$56.0¥8,949
$26.46MX$459
111.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.54¥566
$3.26MX$56.5
8.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.91¥466
$2.49MX$43.17
16.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.02¥2,723
$3.25MX$56.3
423.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17¥188
$1.31MX$22.65
-10.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.8K¥3.6M
$30.3KMX$524.7K
-24.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.2K¥2.7M
$23.4KMX$406.0K
-26.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$140¥22.3K
$82.9MX$1,436
68.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.24¥4,358
$22.22MX$385
22.59%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.82¥5,570
$29.34MX$508
18.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$55.4¥8,855
$51.6MX$895
7.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.67¥2,187
$18.32MX$317
-25.38%
Cinema Ticket
$12.41¥1,985
$5.07MX$87.8
144.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$359¥57.4K
$201MX$3,480
78.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.5K¥1.8M
$5,212MX$90.3K
119.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.94¥7,349
$36.92MX$640
24.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.67¥5,065
$39.79MX$689
-20.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$55.4¥8,852
$78.5MX$1,360
-29.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.0¥14.5K
$87.1MX$1,509
4.44%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$465¥74.4K
$973MX$16.9K
-52.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$325¥51.9K
$468MX$8,105
-30.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$858¥137.2K
$1,641MX$28.4K
-47.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$646¥103.3K
$1,221MX$21.2K
-47.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,093¥814.7K
$3,946MX$68.4K
29.07%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,178¥348.3K
$6,498MX$112.6K
-66.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hiratsuka
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$664MX$11.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
1.78
11.42
-84.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Hiratsuka: June 2, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $465 in Hiratsuka 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $20.00 in Hiratsuka versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Groceries tell a different story – $409 in Hiratsuka vs $249 in Playa del Carmen – so Playa del Carmen wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Hiratsuka vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What salary covers living expenses in Hiratsuka compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,947 per month in Hiratsuka 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 Hiratsuka 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 grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 64% more in Hiratsuka, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Hiratsuka and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $359 per month in Hiratsuka 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 Hiratsuka at $1,298. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Hiratsuka it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Hiratsuka 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 $1,298 in Hiratsuka. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Hiratsuka 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 Hiratsuka 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, Hiratsuka makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.