😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,367 in Killeen, TX versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,333 in Killeen, TX versus $2,181 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,299 in Killeen, TX versus $3,065 in Playa del Carmen.
😐Living in Killeen, TX is roughly 83% more expensive than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Killeen, TX is 77% above, Playa del Carmen is 3% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.12$20.12
$11.73MX$205
71.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$70.7$70.7
$41.62MX$727
69.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.89$11.89
$10.64MX$186
11.75%
Cappuccino
$5.51$5.51
$3.52MX$61.5
56.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33$2.33
$1.51MX$26.37
54.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80$1.80
$0.97MX$17.00
85.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.68$4.68
$2.95MX$51.5
58.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.89$4.89
$4.45MX$77.8
9.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91$0.91
$1.38MX$24.16
-34.06%
White Bread(500g)
$1.63$1.63
$1.89MX$33.04
-13.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.35$3.35
$1.64MX$28.59
104.27%
Eggs
$3.98$3.98
$2.51MX$43.76
58.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03$10.03
$8.34MX$146
20.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.80$13.80
$8.34MX$146
65.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.46$12.46
$10.73MX$187
16.12%
Apples(1kg)
$3.18$3.18
$2.60MX$45.48
22.31%
Banana(1kg)
$0.97$0.97
$1.46MX$25.45
-33.56%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.94$3.94
$1.90MX$33.19
107.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.88$2.88
$2.08MX$36.26
38.46%
Potato(1kg)
$2.27$2.27
$1.78MX$31.01
27.53%
Onion(1kg)
$2.91$2.91
$2.19MX$38.16
32.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.63$1.63
$1.04MX$18.16
56.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56$1.56
$1.08MX$18.80
44.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.04$6.04
$4.08MX$71.3
48.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.19$11.19
$10.32MX$180
8.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.11$2.11
$1.71MX$29.90
23.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80$1.80
$2.58MX$44.98
-30.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.04$2.04
$0.51MX$8.90
300.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.89$24.89
$26.46MX$462
-5.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.06$3.06
$3.26MX$57.0
-6.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.90$1.90
$2.49MX$43.51
-23.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.02$24.02
$3.25MX$56.7
639.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76$0.76
$1.31MX$22.83
-41.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.4K$36.4K
$30.3KMX$528.8K
20.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K$24.7K
$23.4KMX$409.2K
5.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$214$214
$82.9MX$1,447
157.96%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.0$59.0
$22.22MX$388
165.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.3$69.3
$29.34MX$512
136.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.55$22.55
$51.6MX$902
-56.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.32MX$320
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.94$12.94
$5.07MX$88.5
155.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,140$1,140
$201MX$3,507
467.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$26.3K$26.3K
$5,212MX$91.0K
403.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.2$55.2
$36.92MX$645
49.40%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.81$19.81
$39.79MX$695
-50.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.9$68.9
$78.5MX$1,370
-12.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.2$67.2
$87.1MX$1,521
-22.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,184$1,184
$973MX$17.0K
21.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,191$1,191
$468MX$8,169
154.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,720$1,720
$1,641MX$28.7K
4.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,796$1,796
$1,221MX$21.3K
47.10%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,811$1,811
$3,946MX$68.9K
-54.11%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,769$1,769
$6,498MX$113.5K
-72.77%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Killeen, TX
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,233$3,233
$664MX$11.6K
386.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.36
11.42
-44.31%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Killeen, TX: June 2, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,184 in Killeen, TX and $973 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Killeen, TX pays 387% 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: $71.0 in Killeen, TX vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $318 vs $249 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
Killeen, TX vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Killeen, TX and Playa del Carmen?
Killeen, TX and Playa del Carmen differ by about 83% in total monthly costs ($2,367 vs $1,297 including rent). Playa del Carmen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Killeen, TX or Playa del Carmen?
Killeen, TX pays 387% 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 Killeen, TX and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,184 in Killeen, TX versus $973 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 Killeen, TX and Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 6% less than in Killeen, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Killeen, TX and Playa del Carmen?
Childcare runs $1,140 in Killeen, TX versus $201 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 $1,500 per month?
At $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,367 in Killeen, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Killeen, TX. 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 Killeen, TX 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.
Where should expats move: Killeen, TX or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Killeen, TX. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Killeen, TX vs other spots: cost of living compared