๐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,129 in Kastamonu versus $1,261 in Playa del Carmen.
๐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,781 in Kastamonu versus $2,130 in Playa del Carmen.
๐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,433 in Kastamonu versus $2,999 in Playa del Carmen.
๐Living in Kastamonu costs roughly 10% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both cities sit below the global median: Kastamonu16% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.32โบ419
$11.67MX$202
-20.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.70โบ1,740
$41.88MX$726
-7.59%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.89โบ400
$10.40MX$180
-14.52%
Cappuccino
$3.28โบ147
$3.61MX$62.6
-9.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21โบ54.4
$1.47MX$25.45
-17.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39โบ17.41
$0.91MX$15.80
-57.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.24โบ146
$3.03MX$52.6
6.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.76โบ169
$4.47MX$77.4
-15.88%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.96โบ43.10
$1.38MX$23.83
-30.43%
White Bread(500g)
$0.71โบ31.86
$1.84MX$31.93
-61.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.30โบ103
$1.61MX$27.82
42.86%
Eggs
$2.34โบ105
$2.57MX$44.52
-8.95%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.44โบ424
$8.49MX$147
11.19%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.02โบ271
$8.49MX$147
-29.09%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.63โบ883
$10.99MX$190
78.62%
Apples(1kg)
$1.45โบ65.1
$2.73MX$47.25
-46.89%
Banana(1kg)
$2.27โบ102
$1.50MX$25.92
51.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.25โบ56.4
$1.96MX$33.93
-36.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53โบ68.9
$2.12MX$36.70
-27.83%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69โบ31.10
$1.86MX$32.30
-62.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.56โบ25.23
$2.17MX$37.67
-74.19%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.13โบ50.7
$1.07MX$18.59
5.61%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40โบ17.96
$1.05MX$18.18
-61.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.14โบ96.2
$4.19MX$72.6
-48.93%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.74โบ348
$10.28MX$178
-24.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08โบ93.6
$1.67MX$28.87
24.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14โบ141
$2.49MX$43.12
26.10%
๐ Getting Around
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.66โบ29.85
$0.54MX$9.37
22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.80โบ1,384
$26.27MX$455
17.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.92โบ41.15
$3.10MX$53.8
-70.32%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61โบ27.50
$2.46MX$42.66
-75.20%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.33โบ284
$3.24MX$56.1
95.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.19โบ53.3
$1.26MX$21.83
-5.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.7Kโบ1.9M
$30.2KMX$522.8K
41.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.9Kโบ2.0M
$23.4KMX$406.3K
87.07%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$86.8โบ3,901
$84.0MX$1,456
3.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.63โบ478
$22.21MX$385
-52.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.72โบ617
$29.65MX$514
-53.73%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$44.13โบ1,983
$52.6MX$912
-16.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.34MX$318
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.44โบ289
$4.95MX$85.7
30.10%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$598โบ26.9K
$198MX$3,438
201.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.8Kโบ621.8K
$5,322MX$92.2K
159.93%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.7โบ2,591
$35.95MX$623
60.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.13โบ2,029
$40.06MX$694
12.66%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$106โบ4,743
$78.8MX$1,365
33.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$95.9โบ4,309
$86.5MX$1,499
10.81%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$510โบ22.9K
$977MX$16.9K
-47.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390โบ17.6K
$471MX$8,158
-17.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903โบ40.6K
$1,595MX$27.6K
-43.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$698โบ31.4K
$1,215MX$21.1K
-42.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,370โบ61.6K
$4,032MX$69.9K
-66.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$967โบ43.5K
$6,579MX$114.0K
-85.31%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Kastamonu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,356โบ61.0K
$714MX$12.4K
89.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
40
11.42
250.26%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kastamonu: April 22, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $510 in Kastamonu and $977 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
๐ฐKastamonu pays 90% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
๐Dining out: $39 in Kastamonu vs $42 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $231 vs $252 per month, with Kastamonu 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
Kastamonu vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kastamonu and Playa del Carmen?
Kastamonu and Playa del Carmen differ by about 12% in total monthly costs ($1,129 vs $1,261 including rent). Kastamonu is meaningfully more affordable โ a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Kastamonu or Playa del Carmen?
Kastamonu pays 90% 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 Kastamonu and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $510 in Kastamonu versus $977 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Kastamonu or Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $1,129 per month in Kastamonu versus $1,261 in Playa del Carmen โ a 12% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kastamonu and Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Kastamonu runs roughly 17% less than in Playa del Carmen. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $1,129 in Kastamonu versus $1,261 in Playa del Carmen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Kastamonu but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Kastamonu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kastamonu and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better โ the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kastamonu or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kastamonu 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: Kastamonu or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Kastamonu gentler on the wallet โ expenses run 12% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.