πA single person spends $2,838 per month in Lynn, MA vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $4,238 per month in Lynn, MA vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $5,639 per month in Lynn, MA vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πLynn, MA costs about 123% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πLynn, MA sits 111% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 5% below β they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$18.93$18.93
$11.87MX$204
59.48%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$99.3$99.3
$42.90MX$736
131.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.42$11.42
$10.65MX$183
7.23%
Cappuccino
$4.56$4.56
$3.45MX$59.2
32.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.82$2.82
$1.50MX$25.81
88.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18$2.18
$0.95MX$16.28
129.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.09$6.09
$3.03MX$51.9
100.99%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.32$7.32
$4.61MX$79.1
58.79%
π Groceries & Markets
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.27$1.27
$1.38MX$23.61
-7.97%
White Bread(500g)
$4.04$4.04
$1.85MX$31.70
118.38%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.35$4.35
$1.61MX$27.65
170.19%
Eggs
$5.48$5.48
$2.59MX$44.51
111.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.94$10.94
$8.26MX$142
32.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.90$9.90
$8.37MX$144
18.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.20$20.20
$10.66MX$183
89.49%
Apples(1kg)
$5.96$5.96
$2.63MX$45.12
126.62%
Banana(1kg)
$2.16$2.16
$1.49MX$25.53
44.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$5.85$5.85
$1.92MX$32.94
204.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$6.02$6.02
$2.09MX$35.81
188.04%
Potato(1kg)
$4.40$4.40
$1.86MX$31.88
136.56%
Onion(1kg)
$2.85$2.85
$2.26MX$38.81
26.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.78$2.78
$1.06MX$18.23
162.26%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.03$2.03
$1.09MX$18.67
86.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.06$12.06
$4.15MX$71.2
190.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.14$15.14
$10.39MX$178
45.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14$2.14
$1.72MX$29.59
24.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$2.61MX$44.85
-21.46%
π Getting Around
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.97$1.97
$0.54MX$9.30
264.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$98.8$98.8
$26.94MX$462
266.82%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.56$2.56
$3.13MX$53.7
-18.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.77$1.77
$2.51MX$43.09
-29.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$27.72$27.72
$3.15MX$54.1
780.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94$0.94
$1.27MX$21.88
-25.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K$29.5K
$30.4KMX$521.3K
-3.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.4K$25.4K
$23.6KMX$404.5K
7.79%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$323$323
$83.0MX$1,425
289.36%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$57.3$57.3
$22.71MX$390
152.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$65.3$65.3
$29.46MX$506
121.59%
π Sport & Entertainment
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$43.26$43.26
$51.0MX$875
-15.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$15.16$15.16
$4.93MX$84.5
207.51%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,483$1,483
$197MX$3,386
651.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$27.8K$27.8K
$5,280MX$90.6K
427.03%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.9$65.9
$36.90MX$633
78.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.28$45.28
$39.89MX$685
13.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103$103
$80.0MX$1,373
28.81%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$150$150
$89.5MX$1,536
67.73%
π Accommodation & Living
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,630$1,630
$956MX$16.4K
70.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,331$1,331
$477MX$8,189
179.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,613$2,613
$1,646MX$28.3K
58.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,250$2,250
$1,225MX$21.0K
83.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,641$2,641
$3,918MX$67.2K
-32.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,387$2,387
$6,459MX$110.9K
-63.05%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Lynn, MA
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$667MX$11.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.43
11.42
-43.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Lynn, MA: June 7, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $1,630 in Lynn, MA versus $956 in Playa del Carmen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $99.0 in Lynn, MA versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $431 vs $250 β making Playa del Carmen the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Lynn, MA vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $2,838 in Lynn, MA, $1,271 in Playa del Carmen β roughly 123% apart. Lynn, MA costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Lynn, MA compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,256 per month in Lynn, MA and $1,906 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen?
Public transport costs about 267% less in Playa del Carmen. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $1,483 per month in Lynn, MA and $197 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,271, than in Lynn, MA at $2,838. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lynn, MA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,271 in Playa del Carmen to $2,838 in Lynn, MA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Lynn, MA or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Lynn, MA and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lynn, MA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.