πA single person spends $1,056 per month in Najran vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,657 per month in Najran vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,259 per month in Najran vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πNajran is about 18% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
πBoth Najran and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Najran21% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.08SARΒ 30.30
$11.94MX$209
-32.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.81SARΒ 85.5
$42.75MX$748
-46.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.70SARΒ 32.62
$10.59MX$185
-17.85%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.62SARΒ 6.08
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29SARΒ 4.85
-
-
Cappuccino
$4.39SARΒ 16.47
$3.62MX$63.4
21.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79SARΒ 2.94
$1.47MX$25.69
-46.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26SARΒ 0.97
$0.94MX$16.51
-72.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.09MX$54.1
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.46MX$78.0
-
π Groceries & Markets
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.33SARΒ 8.72
$1.43MX$24.94
62.94%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94SARΒ 3.51
$1.88MX$32.97
-50.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.31SARΒ 8.64
$1.63MX$28.50
41.72%
Eggs
$2.11SARΒ 7.90
$2.64MX$46.26
-20.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.82SARΒ 25.59
$8.21MX$144
-16.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.88SARΒ 22.03
$8.29MX$145
-29.07%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$14.81SARΒ 55.5
$11.10MX$194
33.42%
Apples(1kg)
$1.75SARΒ 6.58
$2.65MX$46.40
-33.96%
Banana(1kg)
$2.06SARΒ 7.71
$1.50MX$26.26
37.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.69SARΒ 6.34
$1.99MX$34.79
-15.08%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60SARΒ 6.01
$2.08MX$36.33
-23.08%
Potato(1kg)
$1.28SARΒ 4.81
$1.79MX$31.29
-28.49%
Onion(1kg)
$1.27SARΒ 4.78
$2.18MX$38.09
-41.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.36SARΒ 5.10
$1.08MX$18.84
25.93%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66SARΒ 2.46
$1.04MX$18.15
-36.54%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$2.88SARΒ 10.80
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57SARΒ 5.88
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01SARΒ 7.52
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.16SARΒ 30.60
$3.97MX$69.5
105.54%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.20MX$179
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.73MX$30.22
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.50MX$43.71
-
π Getting Around
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.09SARΒ 4.07
$0.52MX$9.07
109.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$40.24SARΒ 151
$26.97MX$472
49.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.72SARΒ 10.20
$3.14MX$55.0
-13.38%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.89SARΒ 7.07
$2.40MX$42.04
-21.25%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.51SARΒ 50.7
$3.09MX$54.0
337.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.57SARΒ 2.14
$1.27MX$22.28
-55.12%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KSARΒ 98.4K
$30.9KMX$540.4K
-15.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.2KSARΒ 83.4K
$23.3KMX$408.0K
-4.62%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$106SARΒ 399
$82.0MX$1,435
29.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.82SARΒ 127
$22.45MX$393
50.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$72.6SARΒ 272
$29.66MX$519
144.84%
π Sport & Entertainment
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$87.6SARΒ 329
$51.9MX$908
68.94%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.23SARΒ 132
$18.67MX$327
88.70%
Cinema Ticket
$15.87SARΒ 59.5
$4.97MX$87.0
219.32%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$355SARΒ 1,333
$198MX$3,462
79.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,854SARΒ 25.7K
$5,273MX$92.3K
29.99%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$58.7SARΒ 220
$36.34MX$636
61.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.4SARΒ 223
$40.05MX$701
48.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.6SARΒ 295
$79.9MX$1,398
-1.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.3SARΒ 301
$88.9MX$1,555
-9.71%
π Accommodation & Living
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$333SARΒ 1,249
$963MX$16.9K
-65.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197SARΒ 738
$465MX$8,133
-57.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$607SARΒ 2,276
$1,596MX$27.9K
-61.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$419SARΒ 1,572
$1,209MX$21.2K
-65.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,391SARΒ 8,967
$3,942MX$69.0K
-39.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,316SARΒ 4,935
$6,448MX$112.8K
-79.59%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Najran
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,714SARΒ 6,429
$720MX$12.6K
137.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.42
11.42
-61.30%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Najran: April 25, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $333 in Najran versus $963 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.
π°Salaries run about 138% higher in Najran, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in Najran versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $200 vs $251 β making Najran 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
Najran vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Najran or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen costs about 22% more than Najran, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Najran vs Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,584 per month in Najran and $1,930 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Najran or Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Najran, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Najran vs Playa del Carmen?
Public transport costs about 49% less in Najran. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Najran and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $355 per month in Najran and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Najran or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Najran, where all-in costs run around $1,056, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Najran it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Najran or Playa del Carmen?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Najran costs $1,056 versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Najran compared to Playa del Carmen?
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.
Should I move to Najran or Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Najran. 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.