🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $661 in Marilia versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,022 in Marilia versus $2,334 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,383 in Marilia versus $3,362 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Marilia costs roughly 49% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Marilia52% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.99R$25.60
$11.96MX$203
-58.28%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.58R$69.6
$47.38MX$804
-71.34%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.08R$41.44
$11.75MX$199
-31.23%
Cappuccino
$1.92R$9.83
$4.12MX$70.0
-53.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16R$5.93
$1.40MX$23.74
-17.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80R$4.08
$0.91MX$15.48
-12.09%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.95R$4.85
$3.21MX$54.4
-70.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67R$13.71
$7.07MX$120
-62.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16R$5.94
$1.68MX$28.44
-30.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.54R$7.92
$2.15MX$36.48
-28.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.01R$5.16
$1.77MX$30.10
-42.94%
Eggs
$1.98R$10.17
$2.82MX$47.76
-29.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.65R$49.48
$9.20MX$156
4.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.94R$20.19
$9.23MX$157
-57.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.68R$34.23
$12.64MX$214
-47.15%
Apples(1kg)
$1.80R$9.21
$2.95MX$50.1
-38.98%
Banana(1kg)
$1.03R$5.26
$1.58MX$26.79
-34.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.76R$3.89
$2.22MX$37.70
-65.77%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.80R$4.10
$2.36MX$40.09
-66.10%
Potato(1kg)
$0.92R$4.70
$1.99MX$33.81
-53.77%
Onion(1kg)
$1.01R$5.17
$1.98MX$33.58
-48.99%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.57R$2.94
$1.24MX$21.04
-54.03%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40R$2.05
$1.21MX$20.55
-66.94%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.93R$9.90
$4.60MX$78.1
-58.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.86R$45.41
$10.52MX$178
-15.78%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.57R$2.91
$1.69MX$28.70
-66.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.97R$10.08
$2.77MX$47.06
-28.88%
🚌 Getting Around
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.14R$5.82
$0.60MX$10.22
90.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$29.70MX$504
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.26R$6.44
$5.24MX$88.8
-75.95%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.92R$4.72
$3.65MX$61.9
-74.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.86R$19.81
$5.78MX$98.1
-33.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02R$5.24
$1.54MX$26.09
-33.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.5KR$177.1K
$22.8KMX$386.8K
51.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6KR$131.5K
$25.8KMX$437.9K
-0.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$49.62R$254
$90.7MX$1,538
-45.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.74R$55.1
$25.19MX$427
-57.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.62R$116
$31.75MX$539
-28.76%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.20R$119
$68.8MX$1,167
-66.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.87R$71.1
$29.37MX$498
-52.77%
Cinema Ticket
$5.98R$30.65
$4.86MX$82.5
23.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$232R$1,191
$226MX$3,828
2.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,424R$38.1K
$4,194MX$71.1K
77.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.82R$209
$47.38MX$804
-13.85%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$56.9R$292
$43.45MX$737
30.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.2R$432
$80.2MX$1,361
5.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.3R$304
$91.4MX$1,550
-35.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$297R$1,522
$1,086MX$18.4K
-72.64%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158R$811
$409MX$6,933
-61.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593R$3,038
$1,972MX$33.5K
-69.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$293R$1,500
$1,281MX$21.7K
-77.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$975R$4,996
$4,046MX$68.6K
-75.91%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$493R$2,527
$6,704MX$113.7K
-92.65%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Marilia
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$393R$2,014
$773MX$13.1K
-49.19%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.5
11.45
-8.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Marilia: September 5, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $297 in Marilia and $1,086 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 97% 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: $14.00 in Marilia vs $47.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $166 vs $278 per month, with Marilia 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
Marilia vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Marilia?
Marilia is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 98% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Marilia or Playa del Carmen?
On paper, salaries run 97% 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 Marilia and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $297 in Marilia versus $1,086 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Marilia and in Playa del Carmen?
Supermarket bills run roughly 67% higher in Playa del Carmen. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Marilia and in Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $661 per month in Marilia versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen – a 98% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Marilia or in Playa del Carmen?
At $661 in Marilia versus $1,305 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Marilia but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Marilia the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Marilia or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Marilia 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 Marilia gentler on the wallet – expenses run 98% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.