πMonthly costs for one person with rent: $996 in Manavgat versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen.
πEstimated couple costs with rent: $1,578 in Manavgat versus $2,184 in Playa del Carmen.
πMonthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,161 in Manavgat versus $3,082 in Playa del Carmen.
πLiving in Manavgat costs roughly 23% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth cities sit below the global median: Manavgat26% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.91βΊ312
$11.94MX$209
-42.13%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.66βΊ1,249
$42.75MX$748
-35.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.02βΊ182
$10.59MX$185
-62.04%
Cappuccino
$2.65βΊ120
$3.62MX$63.4
-26.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73βΊ78.1
$1.47MX$25.69
17.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26βΊ11.65
$0.94MX$16.51
-72.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.68βΊ121
$3.09MX$54.1
-13.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.74βΊ124
$4.46MX$78.0
-38.57%
π Groceries & Markets
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.90βΊ40.73
$1.43MX$24.94
-37.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99βΊ44.83
$1.88MX$32.97
-47.34%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.10βΊ49.75
$1.63MX$28.50
-32.52%
Eggs
$1.78βΊ80.4
$2.64MX$46.26
-32.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.29βΊ374
$8.21MX$144
0.97%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.43βΊ245
$8.29MX$145
-34.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.29βΊ871
$11.10MX$194
73.78%
Apples(1kg)
$0.70βΊ31.69
$2.65MX$46.40
-73.58%
Banana(1kg)
$2.07βΊ93.6
$1.50MX$26.26
38.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.66βΊ29.89
$1.99MX$34.79
-66.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.10βΊ49.61
$2.08MX$36.33
-47.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.57βΊ25.54
$1.79MX$31.29
-68.16%
Onion(1kg)
$0.28βΊ12.68
$2.18MX$38.09
-87.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33βΊ14.80
$1.08MX$18.84
-69.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34βΊ15.38
$1.04MX$18.15
-67.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.01βΊ90.8
$3.97MX$69.5
-49.37%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.46βΊ337
$10.20MX$179
-26.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68βΊ75.9
$1.73MX$30.22
-2.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14βΊ96.4
$2.50MX$43.71
-14.40%
π Getting Around
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64βΊ28.80
$0.52MX$9.07
23.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.98βΊ1,399
$26.97MX$472
14.87%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.05βΊ47.61
$3.14MX$55.0
-66.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.08βΊ48.60
$2.40MX$42.04
-55.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.47βΊ337
$3.09MX$54.0
141.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.24βΊ56.0
$1.27MX$22.28
-2.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.1KβΊ1.8M
$30.9KMX$540.4K
29.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.0KβΊ1.9M
$23.3KMX$408.0K
80.02%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$48.72βΊ2,199
$82.0MX$1,435
-40.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.99βΊ361
$22.45MX$393
-64.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$15.70βΊ709
$29.66MX$519
-47.07%
π Sport & Entertainment
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.83βΊ1,933
$51.9MX$908
-17.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$20.49βΊ925
$18.67MX$327
9.75%
Cinema Ticket
$6.53βΊ295
$4.97MX$87.0
31.39%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$601βΊ27.1K
$198MX$3,462
203.74%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,914βΊ402.4K
$5,273MX$92.3K
69.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.23βΊ2,177
$36.34MX$636
32.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.21βΊ1,228
$40.05MX$701
-32.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$107βΊ4,825
$79.9MX$1,398
33.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108βΊ4,886
$88.9MX$1,555
21.79%
π Accommodation & Living
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$508βΊ22.9K
$963MX$16.9K
-47.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$392βΊ17.7K
$465MX$8,133
-15.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$903βΊ40.8K
$1,596MX$27.9K
-43.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$700βΊ31.6K
$1,209MX$21.2K
-42.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,153βΊ52.0K
$3,942MX$69.0K
-70.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$957βΊ43.2K
$6,448MX$112.8K
-85.16%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Manavgat
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$733βΊ33.1K
$720MX$12.6K
1.70%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20
11.42
75.13%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manavgat: April 25, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $508 in Manavgat and $963 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
π°Manavgat pays 2% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
πDining out: $28.00 in Manavgat vs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $200 vs $251 per month, with Manavgat 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
Manavgat vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Manavgat and Playa del Carmen?
Manavgat and Playa del Carmen differ by about 29% in total monthly costs ($996 vs $1,287 including rent). Manavgat is meaningfully more affordable β a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Manavgat or Playa del Carmen?
Manavgat pays 2% 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 Manavgat and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $508 in Manavgat versus $963 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Manavgat β a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manavgat or Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $996 per month in Manavgat versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen β a 29% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $996 in Manavgat versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Manavgat but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Manavgat the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Manavgat 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 Manavgat or Playa del Carmen safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Manavgat 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: Manavgat or Playa del Carmen?
Expats usually find Manavgat gentler on the wallet β expenses run 29% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.