😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,140 in Kefar Sava versus $1,260 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,189 in Kefar Sava versus $2,125 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,238 in Kefar Sava versus $2,990 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Kefar Sava is roughly 70% more expensive than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Kefar Sava is 61% above, Playa del Carmen is 5% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$22.69₪69.4
$11.72MX$203
93.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$62.6₪191
$41.89MX$725
49.53%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$15.84₪48.41
$10.51MX$182
50.71%
Cappuccino
$3.78₪11.55
$3.59MX$62.0
5.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.44₪7.47
$1.51MX$26.10
61.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13₪6.50
$0.92MX$15.83
131.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$9.32₪28.48
$2.96MX$51.2
214.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.68₪23.47
$4.41MX$76.3
74.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.66₪5.07
$1.40MX$24.16
18.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.87₪5.73
$1.88MX$32.60
-0.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.51₪7.68
$1.56MX$26.97
60.90%
Eggs
$3.75₪11.46
$2.61MX$45.14
43.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.26₪28.30
$8.32MX$144
11.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.94₪30.37
$8.35MX$145
19.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.71₪44.94
$10.86MX$188
35.45%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09₪9.44
$2.71MX$46.93
14.02%
Banana(1kg)
$2.48₪7.59
$1.51MX$26.04
64.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06₪6.29
$1.87MX$32.41
10.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.91₪5.82
$2.19MX$37.89
-12.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.36₪4.17
$1.86MX$32.14
-26.88%
Onion(1kg)
$1.60₪4.88
$2.23MX$38.59
-28.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.87₪5.73
$1.07MX$18.48
74.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95₪2.90
$1.09MX$18.79
-12.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.50₪32.09
$4.19MX$72.4
150.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.67₪51.0
$10.43MX$180
59.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.56₪7.83
$1.66MX$28.68
54.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.09₪9.44
$2.61MX$45.19
18.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.73₪5.28
$0.54MX$9.37
220.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$46.02₪141
$26.16MX$453
75.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.98₪12.16
$3.08MX$53.3
29.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.90₪2.76
$2.40MX$41.61
-62.50%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$32.23₪98.5
$3.13MX$54.1
929.71%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.97₪6.03
$1.31MX$22.69
50.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.2K₪125.8K
$29.8KMX$515.7K
38.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.4K₪132.6K
$23.3KMX$403.5K
86.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$314₪958
$81.3MX$1,406
285.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.85₪36.23
$22.56MX$390
-47.47%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.58₪87.4
$30.05MX$520
-4.89%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$66.3₪203
$52.9MX$915
25.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.76₪75.7
$18.39MX$318
34.64%
Cinema Ticket
$12.16₪37.15
$4.92MX$85.1
147.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,040₪3,179
$201MX$3,474
418.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.8K₪35.9K
$5,175MX$89.5K
127.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0₪174
$35.92MX$622
58.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.70₪146
$40.13MX$694
18.86%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133₪407
$79.7MX$1,379
66.98%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.8₪271
$86.5MX$1,496
2.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$955₪2,918
$978MX$16.9K
-2.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$826₪2,523
$470MX$8,140
75.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,829₪5,590
$1,651MX$28.6K
10.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,548₪4,730
$1,203MX$20.8K
28.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$8,582₪26.2K
$3,953MX$68.4K
117.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$8,500₪26.0K
$6,607MX$114.3K
28.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kefar Sava
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$677MX$11.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.5
11.42
-43.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kefar Sava: July 28, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $955 in Kefar Sava and $978 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $63.0 in Kefar Sava vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $309 vs $252 per month, with Playa del Carmen 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
Kefar Sava vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Kefar Sava and in Playa del Carmen?
Kefar Sava and Playa del Carmen differ by about 70% in total monthly costs ($2,140 vs $1,260 including rent). Playa del Carmen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Kefar Sava compared to Playa del Carmen?
You'd need roughly $3,210 in Kefar Sava and $1,890 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.
How do apartment prices compare in Kefar Sava and in Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $955 in Kefar Sava versus $978 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: Kefar Sava or Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $2,140 per month in Kefar Sava versus $1,260 in Playa del Carmen – a 70% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Kefar Sava and in Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 76% less than in Kefar Sava. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,260 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,140 in Kefar Sava, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Kefar Sava. The gap between the two cities makes Playa del Carmen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Kefar Sava and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Kefar Sava or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Kefar Sava 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: Kefar Sava or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 70% less than in Kefar Sava. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Kefar Sava vs other spots: cost of living compared