🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $26.91 in Huánuco versus $1,266 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $81.0 in Huánuco versus $2,279 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $135 in Huánuco versus $3,292 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Huánuco costs roughly 98% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Huánuco98% lower, Playa del Carmen7% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.07PEN 10.35
$11.60MX$200
-73.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.59PEN 49.23
$47.11MX$811
-69.03%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$11.88MX$205
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.98MX$68.5
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63PEN 2.12
$1.43MX$24.57
-55.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29PEN 0.98
$0.82MX$14.20
-64.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.19MX$54.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$6.79MX$117
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.68MX$28.85
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.20MX$37.83
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.71MX$29.41
-
Eggs
-
$2.74MX$47.20
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$9.58MX$165
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$9.01MX$155
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$12.81MX$221
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$2.89MX$49.74
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.50MX$25.78
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.15MX$36.98
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.26MX$38.91
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.98MX$34.10
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.99MX$34.26
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.23MX$21.25
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.20MX$20.60
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.55MX$78.3
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.37MX$179
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.62MX$27.88
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.88MX$49.60
-
🚌 Getting Around
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.60MX$10.34
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$28.80MX$496
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.39MX$92.8
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$3.73MX$64.2
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.77MX$99.3
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.54MX$26.45
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.5KMX$388.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.1KMX$448.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$91.4MX$1,573
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$25.20MX$434
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$31.24MX$538
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$67.2MX$1,157
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.11MX$501
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.86MX$83.7
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$224MX$3,851
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$4,229MX$72.8K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$47.10MX$811
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$44.29MX$763
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$80.1MX$1,379
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$92.7MX$1,596
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,063MX$18.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$390MX$6,719
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,149MX$37.0K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,272MX$21.9K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,001MX$68.9K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,502MX$112.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Huánuco
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$758MX$13.1K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.45
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Huánuco: September 14, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out at a mid-range restaurant: $15.00 in Huánuco vs $47.00 in Playa del Carmen for two.
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
Huánuco vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Huánuco?
Huánuco is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear. The 4604% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $40.37 in Huánuco and $1,899 in Playa del Carmen to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Is eating out cheaper in Huánuco or in Playa del Carmen?
Dining out is cheaper in Huánuco – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $47.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Huánuco and in Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $26.91 per month in Huánuco versus $1,266 in Playa del Carmen – a 4604% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Huánuco or in Playa del Carmen?
At $26.91 in Huánuco versus $1,266 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Huánuco but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Huánuco the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Huánuco or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Huánuco is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Playa del Carmen, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Huánuco or Playa del Carmen?
Safety-wise, Huánuco 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Huánuco gentler on the wallet – expenses run 4604% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.