πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $1,047 in Δ°zmit versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,596 in Δ°zmit versus $2,126 in Playa del Carmen.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,145 in Δ°zmit versus $2,980 in Playa del Carmen.
πLiving in Δ°zmit costs roughly 18% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Δ°zmit22% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.15βΊ331
$11.87MX$204
-39.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.03βΊ1,019
$42.90MX$736
-48.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.64βΊ354
$10.65MX$183
-28.26%
Cappuccino
$2.77βΊ128
$3.45MX$59.2
-19.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.25βΊ57.7
$1.50MX$25.81
-16.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51βΊ23.49
$0.95MX$16.28
-46.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.59βΊ120
$3.03MX$51.9
-14.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.28βΊ105
$4.61MX$79.1
-50.54%
π Groceries & Markets
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.97βΊ45.09
$1.38MX$23.61
-29.71%
White Bread(500g)
$0.36βΊ16.81
$1.85MX$31.70
-80.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18βΊ101
$1.61MX$27.65
35.40%
Eggs
$1.94βΊ89.7
$2.59MX$44.51
-25.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.48βΊ438
$8.26MX$142
14.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.00βΊ277
$8.37MX$144
-28.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.62βΊ908
$10.66MX$183
84.05%
Apples(1kg)
$1.18βΊ54.4
$2.63MX$45.12
-55.13%
Banana(1kg)
$2.55βΊ118
$1.49MX$25.53
71.14%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.43βΊ66.0
$1.92MX$32.94
-25.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.70βΊ78.5
$2.09MX$35.81
-18.66%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95βΊ44.06
$1.86MX$31.88
-48.92%
Onion(1kg)
$0.69βΊ31.91
$2.26MX$38.81
-69.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.93βΊ42.82
$1.06MX$18.23
-12.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53βΊ24.62
$1.09MX$18.67
-51.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14βΊ99.1
$4.15MX$71.2
-48.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.65βΊ400
$10.39MX$178
-16.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07βΊ95.9
$1.72MX$29.59
20.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.91βΊ88.4
$2.61MX$44.85
-26.82%
π Getting Around
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ29.37
$0.54MX$9.30
16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.02βΊ1,435
$26.94MX$462
15.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.99βΊ45.84
$3.13MX$53.7
-68.37%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.68βΊ31.44
$2.51MX$43.09
-72.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.54βΊ349
$3.15MX$54.1
139.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19βΊ55.2
$1.27MX$21.88
-6.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7KβΊ1.7M
$30.4KMX$521.3K
17.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.5KβΊ1.8M
$23.6KMX$404.5K
63.26%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$41.31βΊ1,911
$83.0MX$1,425
-50.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.67βΊ679
$22.71MX$390
-35.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.05βΊ557
$29.46MX$506
-59.10%
π Sport & Entertainment
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.19βΊ1,998
$51.0MX$875
-15.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.73βΊ172
$4.93MX$84.5
-24.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$313βΊ14.5K
$197MX$3,386
58.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,846βΊ363.0K
$5,280MX$90.6K
48.60%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.1βΊ2,410
$36.90MX$633
41.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.79βΊ1,563
$39.89MX$685
-15.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$113βΊ5,238
$80.0MX$1,373
41.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.1βΊ4,167
$89.5MX$1,536
0.67%
π Accommodation & Living
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$506βΊ23.4K
$956MX$16.4K
-47.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$392βΊ18.2K
$477MX$8,189
-17.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$874βΊ40.4K
$1,646MX$28.3K
-46.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$710βΊ32.8K
$1,225MX$21.0K
-42.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,474βΊ68.2K
$3,918MX$67.2K
-62.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$974βΊ45.1K
$6,459MX$110.9K
-84.92%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Δ°zmit
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,202βΊ55.6K
$667MX$11.4K
80.22%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
37.5
11.42
228.37%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Δ°zmit: June 7, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $506 in Δ°zmit and $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Δ°zmit pays 80% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $22.00 in Δ°zmit vs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $228 vs $250 per month, with Δ°zmit cheaper across the board.
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
Δ°zmit vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen?
Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen differ by about 21% in total monthly costs ($1,047 vs $1,271 including rent). Δ°zmit is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Δ°zmit or Playa del Carmen?
Δ°zmit pays 80% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $506 in Δ°zmit versus $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Δ°zmit runs roughly 15% less than in Playa del Carmen. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen?
Childcare runs $313 in Δ°zmit versus $197 in Playa del Carmen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,047 in Δ°zmit versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Δ°zmit but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Δ°zmit the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Δ°zmit and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Δ°zmit or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Δ°zmit 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.
Where should expats move: Δ°zmit or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Δ°zmit gentler on the wallet β expenses run 21% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.