🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $572 in Laghouat versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $916 in Laghouat versus $2,126 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,260 in Laghouat versus $2,980 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Living in Laghouat costs roughly 55% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Laghouat57% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.74DZD 363
$11.87MX$204
-76.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.68DZD 2,873
$42.90MX$736
-49.46%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.67DZD 619
$10.65MX$183
-56.15%
Cappuccino
$1.06DZD 141
$3.45MX$59.2
-69.28%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65DZD 85.6
$1.50MX$25.81
-56.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18DZD 23.48
$0.95MX$16.28
-81.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92DZD 254
$3.03MX$51.9
-36.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41DZD 320
$4.61MX$79.1
-47.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99DZD 131
$1.38MX$23.61
-28.26%
White Bread(500g)
$0.33DZD 43.53
$1.85MX$31.70
-82.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.46DZD 326
$1.61MX$27.65
52.80%
Eggs
$1.89DZD 251
$2.59MX$44.51
-27.03%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.80DZD 504
$8.26MX$142
-54.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.84DZD 907
$8.37MX$144
-18.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.78DZD 2,225
$10.66MX$183
57.41%
Apples(1kg)
$4.25DZD 564
$2.63MX$45.12
61.60%
Banana(1kg)
$3.86DZD 511
$1.49MX$25.53
159.06%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69DZD 224
$1.92MX$32.94
-11.98%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.18DZD 156
$2.09MX$35.81
-43.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.69DZD 91.5
$1.86MX$31.88
-62.90%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68DZD 90.0
$2.26MX$38.81
-69.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.71DZD 93.6
$1.06MX$18.23
-33.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.32DZD 42.61
$1.09MX$18.67
-70.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.38DZD 315
$4.15MX$71.2
-42.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.88DZD 911
$10.39MX$178
-33.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.28DZD 170
$1.72MX$29.59
-25.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17DZD 287
$2.61MX$44.85
-16.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.12DZD 15.63
$0.54MX$9.30
-77.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$17.38DZD 2,304
$26.94MX$462
-35.49%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.76DZD 100
$3.13MX$53.7
-75.72%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30DZD 40.35
$2.51MX$43.09
-88.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.27DZD 831
$3.15MX$54.1
99.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.35DZD 45.91
$1.27MX$21.88
-72.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5KDZD 3.9M
$30.4KMX$521.3K
-2.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$56.9KDZD 7.5M
$23.6KMX$404.5K
141.56%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.65DZD 5,388
$83.0MX$1,425
-51.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.24DZD 1,225
$22.71MX$390
-59.31%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.36DZD 2,566
$29.46MX$506
-34.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$17.88DZD 2,370
$51.0MX$875
-64.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.44DZD 721
$4.93MX$84.5
10.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.5DZD 12.5K
$197MX$3,386
-52.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,544DZD 469.7K
$5,280MX$90.6K
-32.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.93DZD 3,835
$36.90MX$633
-21.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$47.21DZD 6,258
$39.89MX$685
18.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$57.7DZD 7,644
$80.0MX$1,373
-27.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.9DZD 9,259
$89.5MX$1,536
-21.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$126DZD 16.7K
$956MX$16.4K
-86.82%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$71.3DZD 9,452
$477MX$8,189
-85.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$174DZD 23.0K
$1,646MX$28.3K
-89.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$116DZD 15.4K
$1,225MX$21.0K
-90.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$448DZD 59.4K
$3,918MX$67.2K
-88.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$297DZD 39.4K
$6,459MX$110.9K
-95.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Laghouat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$354DZD 46.9K
$667MX$11.4K
-46.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.42
11.42
-52.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Laghouat: June 8, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $126 in Laghouat and $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 89% 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: $22.00 in Laghouat vs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $218 vs $250 per month, with Laghouat 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
Laghouat vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Laghouat?
Laghouat is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 122% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Laghouat or Playa del Carmen?
On paper, Playa del Carmen earns 89% less. 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 Laghouat and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $126 in Laghouat versus $956 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Laghouat vs Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $572 per month in Laghouat versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen – a 122% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Laghouat runs roughly 55% less than in Playa del Carmen. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Laghouat or Playa del Carmen?
At $572 in Laghouat versus $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Laghouat but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Laghouat the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Laghouat or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Laghouat 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, Laghouat or Playa del Carmen?
Safety-wise, Laghouat 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 Laghouat gentler on the wallet – expenses run 122% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.