πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $3,044 in Longmont, CO versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $4,581 in Longmont, CO versus $2,181 in Playa del Carmen.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,118 in Longmont, CO versus $3,065 in Playa del Carmen.
πLiving in Longmont, CO is roughly 135% more expensive than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πThe two cities straddle the global median: Longmont, CO is 127% above, Playa del Carmen is 3% below.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.08$20.08
$11.73MX$203
71.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$69.1$69.1
$41.62MX$719
66.00%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.88$10.88
$10.64MX$184
2.26%
Cappuccino
$6.07$6.07
$3.52MX$60.8
72.44%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16$3.16
$1.51MX$26.09
109.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49$2.49
$0.97MX$16.82
156.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.87$6.87
$2.95MX$51.0
132.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$8.19$8.19
$4.45MX$77.0
84.04%
π Groceries & Markets
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.00$1.00
$1.38MX$23.90
-27.54%
White Bread(500g)
$3.69$3.69
$1.89MX$32.69
95.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.38$4.38
$1.64MX$28.29
167.07%
Eggs
$5.62$5.62
$2.51MX$43.30
123.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.29$14.29
$8.34MX$144
71.34%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$16.32$16.32
$8.34MX$144
95.68%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.88$18.88
$10.73MX$185
75.96%
Apples(1kg)
$5.47$5.47
$2.60MX$45.00
110.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54$1.54
$1.46MX$25.18
5.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.07$4.07
$1.90MX$32.84
114.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.16$5.16
$2.08MX$35.88
148.08%
Potato(1kg)
$4.03$4.03
$1.78MX$30.68
126.40%
Onion(1kg)
$3.79$3.79
$2.19MX$37.76
73.06%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.30$2.30
$1.04MX$17.97
121.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.48$2.48
$1.08MX$18.60
129.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.05$9.05
$4.08MX$70.5
121.81%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.68$16.68
$10.32MX$178
61.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.89$1.89
$1.71MX$29.59
10.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.69$3.69
$2.58MX$44.50
43.02%
π Getting Around
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.94$1.94
$0.51MX$8.81
280.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$119$119
$26.46MX$457
348.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.43$2.43
$3.26MX$56.4
-25.46%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.38$1.38
$2.49MX$43.05
-44.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.29$24.29
$3.25MX$56.1
647.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81$0.81
$1.31MX$22.59
-38.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5K$34.5K
$30.3KMX$523.2K
14.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5K$25.5K
$23.4KMX$404.9K
8.94%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$221$221
$82.9MX$1,432
166.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.3$59.3
$22.22MX$384
166.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.5$72.5
$29.34MX$507
147.21%
π Sport & Entertainment
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.64$47.64
$51.6MX$892
-7.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$64.5$64.5
$18.32MX$317
252.18%
Cinema Ticket
$16.14$16.14
$5.07MX$87.5
218.34%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,489$1,489
$201MX$3,470
641.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$24.2K$24.2K
$5,212MX$90.1K
364.97%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.8$57.8
$36.92MX$638
56.61%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.60$37.60
$39.79MX$688
-5.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.9$90.9
$78.5MX$1,356
15.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$102$102
$87.1MX$1,505
16.56%
π Accommodation & Living
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,795$1,795
$973MX$16.8K
84.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,591$1,591
$468MX$8,082
240.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,716$2,716
$1,641MX$28.4K
65.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,922$2,922
$1,221MX$21.1K
139.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,946MX$68.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,735$3,735
$6,498MX$112.3K
-42.52%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Longmont, CO
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,378$4,378
$664MX$11.5K
559.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.6
11.42
-42.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Longmont, CO: June 1, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,795 in Longmont, CO and $973 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Longmont, CO pays 559% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
πDining out: $69.0 in Longmont, CO vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $455 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
Longmont, CO vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Longmont, CO and Playa del Carmen?
Longmont, CO and Playa del Carmen differ by about 135% in total monthly costs ($3,044 vs $1,297 including rent). Playa del Carmen is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Longmont, CO or Playa del Carmen?
Longmont, CO pays 559% 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 Longmont, CO and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,795 in Longmont, CO versus $973 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Longmont, CO or Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $3,044 per month in Longmont, CO versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen β a 135% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Longmont, CO and Playa del Carmen?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 348% less than in Longmont, CO. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,044 in Longmont, CO, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Longmont, CO. 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 Longmont, CO and Playa del Carmen?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better β the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Longmont, CO or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Longmont, CO 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: Longmont, CO or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet β expenses run 135% less than in Longmont, CO. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Longmont, CO vs other spots: cost of living compared