🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $677 in Khujand versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,022 in Khujand versus $2,126 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,367 in Khujand versus $2,980 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Living in Khujand costs roughly 47% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Khujand50% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.98TJS 55.8
$11.87MX$204
-49.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.13TJS 141
$42.90MX$736
-64.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.77TJS 72.4
$10.65MX$183
-27.04%
Cappuccino
$1.02TJS 9.48
$3.45MX$59.2
-70.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48TJS 4.51
$1.50MX$25.81
-68.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24TJS 2.23
$0.95MX$16.28
-74.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.22TJS 11.40
$3.03MX$51.9
-59.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98TJS 18.42
$4.61MX$79.1
-57.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.01TJS 9.39
$1.38MX$23.61
-26.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.36TJS 3.38
$1.85MX$31.70
-80.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.98TJS 18.46
$1.61MX$27.65
22.98%
Eggs
$1.55TJS 14.40
$2.59MX$44.51
-40.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.74TJS 81.4
$8.26MX$142
5.81%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.93TJS 27.27
$8.37MX$144
-64.99%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.69TJS 81.0
$10.66MX$183
-18.48%
Apples(1kg)
$1.55TJS 14.42
$2.63MX$45.12
-41.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78TJS 16.58
$1.49MX$25.53
19.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.48TJS 23.14
$1.92MX$32.94
29.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.81TJS 7.52
$2.09MX$35.81
-61.24%
Potato(1kg)
$0.58TJS 5.41
$1.86MX$31.88
-68.82%
Onion(1kg)
$0.31TJS 2.87
$2.26MX$38.81
-86.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.78TJS 7.26
$1.06MX$18.23
-26.42%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53TJS 4.90
$1.09MX$18.67
-51.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.55TJS 23.77
$4.15MX$71.2
-38.55%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.25TJS 95.5
$10.39MX$178
-1.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.47TJS 13.70
$1.72MX$29.59
-14.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.25TJS 20.97
$2.61MX$44.85
-13.79%
🚌 Getting Around
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.31TJS 2.89
$0.54MX$9.30
-42.59%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.94MX$462
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.95TJS 8.87
$3.13MX$53.7
-69.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.51MX$43.09
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.04TJS 56.3
$3.15MX$54.1
91.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97TJS 9.05
$1.27MX$21.88
-23.62%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.2KTJS 169.3K
$30.4KMX$521.3K
-40.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$12.1KTJS 112.8K
$23.6KMX$404.5K
-48.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.86TJS 371
$83.0MX$1,425
-51.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.68TJS 52.9
$22.71MX$390
-74.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.73TJS 221
$29.46MX$506
-19.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.62TJS 174
$51.0MX$875
-63.49%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.62TJS 229
$18.33MX$315
34.32%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09TJS 38.07
$4.93MX$84.5
-17.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$78.8TJS 734
$197MX$3,386
-60.09%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,932TJS 64.6K
$5,280MX$90.6K
31.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.16TJS 179
$36.90MX$633
-48.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.64TJS 276
$39.89MX$685
-25.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$39.78TJS 371
$80.0MX$1,373
-50.28%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$48.15TJS 449
$89.5MX$1,536
-46.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$330TJS 3,070
$956MX$16.4K
-65.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$250TJS 2,328
$477MX$8,189
-47.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$602TJS 5,611
$1,646MX$28.3K
-63.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$402TJS 3,745
$1,225MX$21.0K
-67.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$718TJS 6,690
$3,918MX$67.2K
-81.68%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$502TJS 4,674
$6,459MX$110.9K
-92.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Khujand
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$458TJS 4,263
$667MX$11.4K
-31.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24
11.42
110.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Khujand: June 8, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $330 in Khujand and $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 46% 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: $15.00 in Khujand vs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $171 vs $250 per month, with Khujand 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
Khujand vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Khujand and Playa del Carmen?
Khujand and Playa del Carmen differ by about 88% in total monthly costs ($677 vs $1,271 including rent). Khujand is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Playa del Carmen earns 46% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Khujand and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $330 in Khujand versus $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Khujand and Playa del Carmen?
Childcare runs $78.8 in Khujand 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 has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Khujand – a meal for two runs $15.00 versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $677 in Khujand versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Khujand but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Khujand the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Khujand 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 Khujand or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Khujand 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: Khujand or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Khujand gentler on the wallet – expenses run 88% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.