🙂A single person spends $887 per month in Maglaj vs $1,256 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,395 per month in Maglaj vs $2,137 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,903 per month in Maglaj vs $3,017 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Maglaj is about 29% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Maglaj and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Maglaj34% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.10BAM 12.15
$11.99MX$210
-40.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.89BAM 61.4
$41.78MX$733
-14.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.65BAM 9.66
$10.75MX$189
-47.44%
Cappuccino
$1.74BAM 2.97
$3.50MX$61.3
-50.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80BAM 3.08
$1.45MX$25.41
24.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16BAM 1.98
$0.88MX$15.52
31.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.37BAM 4.06
$2.95MX$51.7
-19.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.07BAM 3.55
$4.51MX$79.1
-54.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42BAM 2.43
$1.43MX$25.12
-0.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03BAM 1.75
$1.84MX$32.23
-44.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.80BAM 3.08
$1.57MX$27.51
14.65%
Eggs
$2.87BAM 4.90
$2.51MX$44.06
14.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.53BAM 12.88
$8.28MX$145
-9.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.28BAM 12.46
$8.43MX$148
-13.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.87BAM 16.87
$10.68MX$187
-7.58%
Apples(1kg)
$1.15BAM 1.96
$2.61MX$45.76
-55.94%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61BAM 2.76
$1.44MX$25.22
11.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.78BAM 3.05
$1.96MX$34.41
-9.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.72BAM 2.94
$2.09MX$36.74
-17.70%
Potato(1kg)
$1.20BAM 2.06
$1.85MX$32.47
-35.14%
Onion(1kg)
$1.21BAM 2.07
$2.17MX$38.02
-44.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.00BAM 1.70
$1.03MX$18.09
-2.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.89BAM 1.53
$1.07MX$18.84
-16.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.48BAM 5.95
$4.10MX$72.0
-15.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.92BAM 11.84
$10.17MX$178
-31.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.20BAM 2.05
$1.68MX$29.38
-28.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.15BAM 1.98
$2.53MX$44.31
-54.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.77BAM 3.02
$0.51MX$8.93
247.06%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$35.07BAM 60.0
$26.04MX$457
34.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.81BAM 3.10
$3.23MX$56.7
-43.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.15BAM 1.97
$2.41MX$42.19
-52.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.64BAM 18.20
$3.23MX$56.6
229.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.49BAM 2.54
$1.32MX$23.17
12.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.0KBAM 41.1K
$29.7KMX$520.9K
-19.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KBAM 44.8K
$23.7KMX$415.0K
10.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$124BAM 213
$82.0MX$1,439
51.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.33BAM 33.06
$22.95MX$403
-15.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.62BAM 48.95
$30.11MX$528
-4.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.00BAM 51.3
$52.0MX$912
-42.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.77BAM 18.41
$18.53MX$325
-41.88%
Cinema Ticket
$4.66BAM 7.97
$4.98MX$87.3
-6.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$152BAM 260
$197MX$3,463
-23.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,266BAM 5,585
$5,336MX$93.6K
-38.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.5BAM 121
$35.60MX$624
98.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.38BAM 58.8
$40.33MX$707
-14.75%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.6BAM 167
$78.8MX$1,381
23.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$119BAM 203
$88.9MX$1,560
33.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257BAM 440
$947MX$16.6K
-72.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$171BAM 292
$474MX$8,314
-63.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$368BAM 630
$1,644MX$28.8K
-77.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$316BAM 540
$1,211MX$21.2K
-73.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,540BAM 4,344
$4,056MX$71.1K
-37.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,805BAM 3,088
$6,470MX$113.5K
-72.10%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maglaj
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$772BAM 1,321
$654MX$11.5K
18.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.14
11.42
-63.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maglaj: July 14, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $257 in Maglaj versus $947 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.
💰Salaries run about 18% higher in Maglaj, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $36.00 in Maglaj versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $249 – making Maglaj 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
Maglaj vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Maglaj and in Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $887 in Maglaj, $1,256 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 42% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Maglaj compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,330 per month in Maglaj and $1,884 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Maglaj and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Maglaj, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 21% more in Playa del Carmen, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $36.00 in Maglaj and $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Maglaj, where all-in costs run around $887, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,256. In Maglaj it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Maglaj and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $887 in Maglaj to $1,256 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Maglaj 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Maglaj and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Maglaj. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Playa del Carmen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.