🙂A single person spends $296 per month in Nampula vs $1,260 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $478 per month in Nampula vs $2,125 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $659 per month in Nampula vs $2,990 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Nampula is about 76% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Nampula and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Nampula78% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.24MZN 268
$11.72MX$203
-63.82%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$41.89MX$725
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.51MX$182
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.59MX$62.0
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88MZN 55.4
$1.51MX$26.10
-41.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61MZN 38.37
$0.92MX$15.83
-33.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.29MZN 81.3
$2.96MX$51.2
-56.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.60MZN 101
$4.41MX$76.3
-63.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74MZN 110
$1.40MX$24.16
24.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48MZN 30.47
$1.88MX$32.60
-74.47%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.07MZN 67.6
$1.56MX$26.97
-31.41%
Eggs
$2.70MZN 171
$2.61MX$45.14
3.45%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.15MZN 642
$8.32MX$144
22.00%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.43MZN 217
$8.35MX$145
-58.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.82MZN 242
$10.86MX$188
-64.83%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65MZN 167
$2.71MX$46.93
-2.21%
Banana(1kg)
$2.39MZN 151
$1.51MX$26.04
58.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02MZN 128
$1.87MX$32.41
8.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.53MZN 96.5
$2.19MX$37.89
-30.14%
Potato(1kg)
$1.42MZN 89.8
$1.86MX$32.14
-23.66%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77MZN 112
$2.23MX$38.59
-20.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81MZN 51.1
$1.07MX$18.48
-24.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.86MZN 54.7
$1.09MX$18.79
-21.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.19MX$72.4
-
Wine(Bottle)
$6.11MZN 386
$10.43MX$180
-41.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29MZN 145
$1.66MX$28.68
37.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.61MX$45.19
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18MZN 11.43
$0.54MX$9.37
-66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.16MX$453
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.57MZN 99.4
$3.08MX$53.3
-49.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.38MZN 151
$2.40MX$41.61
-0.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.13MX$54.1
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MZN 97.3
$1.31MX$22.69
17.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$29.8KMX$515.7K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$23.3KMX$403.5K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$81.3MX$1,406
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$22.56MX$390
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$30.05MX$520
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$52.9MX$915
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.39MX$318
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.92MX$85.1
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$201MX$3,474
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,175MX$89.5K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$35.92MX$622
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$40.13MX$694
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.2MZN 5,833
$79.7MX$1,379
15.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$86.5MX$1,496
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$978MX$16.9K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$470MX$8,140
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$920MZN 58.2K
$1,651MX$28.6K
-44.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,203MX$20.8K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,953MX$68.4K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,607MX$114.3K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nampula
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$677MX$11.7K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.42
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Nampula: July 27, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 27, 2026
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
Nampula vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Nampula?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 325%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $444 per month in Nampula and $1,890 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 Nampula and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $296 in Nampula and $1,260 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Nampula and in Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 36% 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.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Nampula or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nampula, where all-in costs run around $296, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,260. In Nampula it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Nampula or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Nampula – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Nampula. 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.