🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $625 in Kelibia versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $971 in Kelibia versus $2,334 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,316 in Kelibia versus $3,362 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Kelibia costs roughly 52% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Kelibia55% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.70TND 7.78
$11.96MX$203
-77.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.69TND 39.49
$47.38MX$804
-71.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.41TND 9.83
$11.75MX$199
-70.98%
Cappuccino
$0.62TND 1.78
$4.12MX$70.0
-84.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49TND 1.41
$1.40MX$23.74
-65.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28TND 0.81
$0.91MX$15.48
-69.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.59TND 4.59
$3.21MX$54.4
-50.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11TND 6.08
$7.07MX$120
-70.16%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.42TND 1.21
$1.68MX$28.44
-75.00%
White Bread(500g)
$0.17TND 0.50
$2.15MX$36.48
-92.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.39TND 4.01
$1.77MX$30.10
-21.47%
Eggs
$1.68TND 4.84
$2.82MX$47.76
-40.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.65TND 36.51
$9.20MX$156
37.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.57TND 16.08
$9.23MX$157
-39.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.42TND 41.61
$12.64MX$214
14.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.22TND 3.51
$2.95MX$50.1
-58.64%
Banana(1kg)
$2.80TND 8.08
$1.58MX$26.79
77.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.74TND 2.12
$2.22MX$37.70
-66.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.68TND 1.96
$2.36MX$40.09
-71.19%
Potato(1kg)
$0.70TND 2.03
$1.99MX$33.81
-64.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.82TND 2.37
$1.98MX$33.58
-58.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.55TND 1.59
$1.24MX$21.04
-55.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.26TND 0.74
$1.21MX$20.55
-78.51%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.46TND 9.98
$4.60MX$78.1
-24.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.76TND 19.52
$10.52MX$178
-35.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.21TND 3.49
$1.69MX$28.70
-28.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.11TND 3.21
$2.77MX$47.06
-59.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35TND 1.02
$0.60MX$10.22
-41.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.74TND 28.12
$29.70MX$504
-67.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.32TND 0.93
$5.24MX$88.8
-93.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.32TND 0.94
$3.65MX$61.9
-91.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.43TND 21.45
$5.78MX$98.1
28.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86TND 2.47
$1.54MX$26.09
-44.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.5KTND 108.3K
$22.8KMX$386.8K
64.57%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.8KTND 103.4K
$25.8KMX$437.9K
38.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.32TND 134
$90.7MX$1,538
-48.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.55TND 27.54
$25.19MX$427
-62.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.02TND 43.35
$31.75MX$539
-52.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.55TND 47.75
$68.8MX$1,167
-75.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.57TND 36.28
$29.37MX$498
-57.20%
Cinema Ticket
$3.49TND 10.06
$4.86MX$82.5
-28.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$99.2TND 286
$226MX$3,828
-56.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,543TND 7,339
$4,194MX$71.1K
-39.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.47TND 125
$47.38MX$804
-8.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.56TND 108
$43.45MX$737
-13.56%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$114TND 329
$80.2MX$1,361
42.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$68.6TND 198
$91.4MX$1,550
-24.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$219TND 631
$1,086MX$18.4K
-79.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$147TND 425
$409MX$6,933
-63.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$434TND 1,251
$1,972MX$33.5K
-78.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$245TND 706
$1,281MX$21.7K
-80.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$995TND 2,871
$4,046MX$68.6K
-75.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$635TND 1,831
$6,704MX$113.7K
-90.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kelibia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$240TND 694
$773MX$13.1K
-68.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.6
11.45
18.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kelibia: September 5, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $219 in Kelibia and $1,086 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 222% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Kelibia vs $47.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $187 vs $278 per month, with Kelibia 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
Kelibia vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Kelibia?
Kelibia is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 109% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Kelibia or Playa del Carmen?
On paper, salaries run 222% lower in Playa del Carmen. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Kelibia and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $219 in Kelibia versus $1,086 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Kelibia runs roughly 205% less than in Playa del Carmen. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $99.2 in Kelibia versus $226 in Playa del Carmen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Kelibia or in Playa del Carmen?
At $625 in Kelibia versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kelibia but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Kelibia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Kelibia or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Kelibia 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, Kelibia or Playa del Carmen?
Safety-wise, Kelibia 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 Kelibia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 109% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.