Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Masallatah and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Masallatah: $369 a month against $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $10,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Masallatah, Libya
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Masallatah
🇱🇾 Libya
$369
/mo nomad
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,204
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Masallatah and in Playa del Carmen

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Masallatah and in Playa del Carmen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $369 per month in Masallatah vs $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Masallatah $369
  • Playa del Carmen $1,204

A couple spends around $572 per month in Masallatah vs $2,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Masallatah $572
  • Playa del Carmen $2,082

A family of three spends $775 per month in Masallatah vs $2,959 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Masallatah $775
  • Playa del Carmen $2,959

Masallatah is about 69% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Masallatah and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Masallatah 73% lower, Playa del Carmen 12% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.93 LYD 25.22
$10.92 MX$205
-64.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.50 LYD 99.4
$43.37 MX$815
-64.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.69 LYD 17.23
$11.78 MX$221
-77.16%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.65 LYD 4.17
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67 LYD 4.27
-
-
Cappuccino
$0.44 LYD 2.83
$3.81 MX$71.6
-88.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.46 LYD 2.93
$1.28 MX$24.10
-64.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.10 LYD 0.66
$0.78 MX$14.71
-87.18%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.17 MX$59.5
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.93 MX$92.7
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.91 LYD 5.86
$1.41 MX$26.43
-35.46%
White Bread (500g)
$0.22 LYD 1.41
$2.22 MX$41.66
-90.09%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 LYD 7.59
$1.42 MX$26.64
-16.90%
Eggs
$1.43 LYD 9.15
$2.52 MX$47.41
-43.25%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.14 LYD 32.97
$7.26 MX$137
-29.20%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.41 LYD 21.88
$7.70 MX$145
-55.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.54 LYD 61.2
$12.69 MX$239
-24.82%
Apples (1kg)
$2.21 LYD 14.19
$2.78 MX$52.3
-20.50%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 LYD 9.92
$1.37 MX$25.71
13.14%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.69 LYD 4.43
$2.55 MX$47.94
-72.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.60 LYD 3.85
$2.12 MX$39.90
-71.70%
Potato (1kg)
$0.77 LYD 4.93
$1.94 MX$36.43
-60.31%
Onion (1kg)
$0.50 LYD 3.22
$1.89 MX$35.44
-73.54%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.43 LYD 2.74
$1.15 MX$21.55
-62.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.17 LYD 1.12
$1.18 MX$22.16
-85.59%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.76 LYD 11.32
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.00 LYD 6.42
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 LYD 5.09
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90 LYD 12.20
$4.30 MX$80.7
-55.81%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$9.95 MX$187
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.58 MX$29.76
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.67 MX$50.2
-
🚌 Getting Around
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.55 MX$10.40
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$26.62 MX$500
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.76 LYD 4.90
$4.97 MX$93.4
-84.71%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.49 LYD 3.16
$3.33 MX$62.6
-85.29%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$5.36 MX$101
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.02 LYD 0.13
$1.44 MX$27.14
-98.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8K LYD 152.9K
$20.7K MX$388.4K
15.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K LYD 133.7K
$23.5K MX$441.0K
-11.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.5 LYD 593
$84.8 MX$1,594
9.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.06 LYD 38.90
$23.41 MX$440
-74.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.63 LYD 171
$28.66 MX$539
-7.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$57.1 MX$1,072
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$28.91 MX$543
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$5.14 MX$96.6
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$52.9 LYD 339
$207 MX$3,882
-74.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,541 LYD 9,884
$3,927 MX$73.8K
-60.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.90 LYD 147
$43.35 MX$815
-47.17%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.06 LYD 109
$41.44 MX$779
-58.83%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$64.1 LYD 411
$74.2 MX$1,394
-13.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.5 LYD 433
$89.3 MX$1,677
-24.32%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$980 MX$18.4K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$381 MX$7,157
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,708 MX$32.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,075 MX$20.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,943 MX$74.1K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,158 MX$115.7K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Masallatah
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$735 MX$13.8K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
11.45
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Masallatah: October 25, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$381
Groceries & Markets
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$255
Eating Out
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$202
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$137
Clothing & Footwear
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$112
Sport & Entertainment
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$67
Getting Around
Masallatah
–
Playa del Carmen
$50

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $15 in Masallatah versus $43 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $116 vs $255 – making Masallatah the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇱🇾 Masallatah
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🕒 Local time
04:35 4:35 AM
21:35 9:35 PM
7 h behind Masallatah
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
149,923
💱 Currency
Libyan Dinar LYD ل.د
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to LYD – Libyan Dinar Converter

Libyan Dinar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 6.41 LYD (1 LYD = 0.156 USD). 1 EUR = 7.16 LYD (1 LYD = 0.14 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.79 MXN (100 MXN = 5.32 USD). 1 EUR = 20.98 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Masallatah Playa del Carmen 9,760 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Masallatah
  • Playa del Carmen

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Masallatah vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Masallatah cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 227%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in eating out.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $553 per month in Masallatah and $1,806 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Masallatah and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $369 in Masallatah and $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. That makes Masallatah about 69% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $53 per month in Masallatah and $207 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Masallatah or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Masallatah, where all-in costs run around $369, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,204. In Masallatah it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Masallatah or in Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $369 in Masallatah to $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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