🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $478 in Latakia versus $1,259 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $794 in Latakia versus $2,177 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,109 in Latakia versus $3,095 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Latakia costs roughly 62% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Latakia64% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.87SYP 592
$11.95MX$208
-59.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.16SYP 2,451
$41.94MX$730
-51.93%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.01SYP 609
$10.42MX$181
-51.92%
Cappuccino
$0.62SYP 75.7
$3.51MX$61.2
-82.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74SYP 90.1
$1.52MX$26.39
-51.32%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36SYP 43.84
$0.91MX$15.84
-60.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.02SYP 124
$3.04MX$52.9
-66.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.66SYP 202
$4.37MX$76.1
-62.01%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.81SYP 98.3
$1.42MX$24.73
-42.96%
White Bread(500g)
$0.64SYP 77.6
$1.83MX$31.87
-65.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99SYP 121
$1.63MX$28.45
-39.26%
Eggs
$1.90SYP 230
$2.54MX$44.20
-25.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.16SYP 384
$8.57MX$149
-63.13%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.64SYP 807
$8.49MX$148
-21.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.17SYP 1,358
$10.80MX$188
3.43%
Apples(1kg)
$0.81SYP 99.0
$2.75MX$47.94
-70.55%
Banana(1kg)
$1.01SYP 123
$1.44MX$25.00
-29.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.70SYP 84.7
$1.89MX$32.83
-62.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.64SYP 77.8
$2.17MX$37.77
-70.51%
Potato(1kg)
$0.63SYP 76.2
$1.78MX$30.97
-64.61%
Onion(1kg)
$0.67SYP 81.0
$2.22MX$38.71
-69.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40SYP 49.02
$1.07MX$18.60
-62.62%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58SYP 70.2
$1.08MX$18.79
-46.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.97SYP 360
$4.15MX$72.2
-28.43%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.95SYP 481
$10.45MX$182
-62.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.98SYP 119
$1.74MX$30.34
-43.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.83SYP 222
$2.58MX$44.92
-29.07%
🚌 Getting Around
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.06SYP 7.33
$0.51MX$8.94
-88.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$25.94MX$451
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.98SYP 119
$3.21MX$55.9
-69.47%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48SYP 58.6
$2.50MX$43.55
-80.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.32SYP 768
$3.19MX$55.4
98.12%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.87SYP 106
$1.26MX$21.87
-30.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.6KSYP 2.3M
$29.7KMX$516.6K
-37.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.7KSYP 2.5M
$23.7KMX$412.1K
-12.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.09SYP 4,873
$82.0MX$1,427
-51.13%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.38SYP 1,018
$22.73MX$395
-63.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.58SYP 5,661
$29.42MX$512
58.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.06SYP 1,466
$52.2MX$908
-76.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$3.95SYP 480
$18.45MX$321
-78.59%
Cinema Ticket
$1.06SYP 129
$4.93MX$85.9
-78.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$20.51SYP 2,493
$202MX$3,511
-89.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,795SYP 218.2K
$5,217MX$90.8K
-65.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.58SYP 2,623
$35.93MX$625
-39.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.34SYP 2,958
$40.33MX$702
-39.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$41.34SYP 5,025
$79.9MX$1,390
-48.25%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.72SYP 5,071
$89.3MX$1,554
-53.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$249SYP 30.2K
$948MX$16.5K
-73.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$84.4SYP 10.3K
$465MX$8,097
-81.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$472SYP 57.4K
$1,630MX$28.4K
-71.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$241SYP 29.3K
$1,193MX$20.8K
-79.81%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$708SYP 86.1K
$3,933MX$68.4K
-81.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$252SYP 30.7K
$6,428MX$111.9K
-96.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Latakia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$58.1SYP 7,061
$658MX$11.5K
-91.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.75
11.42
20.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Latakia: July 21, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $249 in Latakia and $948 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 1033% 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: $20.00 in Latakia vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $147 vs $252 per month, with Latakia cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Latakia vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Latakia?
Latakia is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 164% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Latakia or Playa del Carmen?
On paper, salaries run 1033% 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 Latakia and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $249 in Latakia versus $948 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $20.51 in Latakia versus $202 in Playa del Carmen. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Latakia or in Playa del Carmen?
Dining out is cheaper in Latakia – a meal for two runs $20.00 versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Latakia or in Playa del Carmen?
At $478 in Latakia versus $1,259 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Latakia but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Latakia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Latakia or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Latakia 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Latakia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 164% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.