πA single person spends $993 per month in Ordu vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,530 per month in Ordu vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,068 per month in Ordu vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πOrdu is about 22% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Ordu and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Ordu26% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.45βΊ298
$11.87MX$204
-45.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.38βΊ989
$42.90MX$736
-50.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.10βΊ236
$10.65MX$183
-52.11%
Cappuccino
$3.02βΊ140
$3.45MX$59.2
-12.46%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65βΊ29.86
$1.50MX$25.81
-56.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22βΊ10.13
$0.95MX$16.28
-76.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.92βΊ88.8
$3.03MX$51.9
-36.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56βΊ119
$4.61MX$79.1
-44.47%
π Groceries & Markets
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.65βΊ29.85
$1.38MX$23.61
-52.90%
White Bread(500g)
$0.34βΊ15.51
$1.85MX$31.70
-81.62%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.18βΊ101
$1.61MX$27.65
35.40%
Eggs
$1.95βΊ90.0
$2.59MX$44.51
-24.71%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.39βΊ435
$8.26MX$142
13.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.00βΊ231
$8.37MX$144
-40.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.72βΊ588
$10.66MX$183
19.32%
Apples(1kg)
$1.23βΊ57.0
$2.63MX$45.12
-53.23%
Banana(1kg)
$2.15βΊ99.5
$1.49MX$25.53
44.30%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.06βΊ48.87
$1.92MX$32.94
-44.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.33βΊ61.5
$2.09MX$35.81
-36.36%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73βΊ33.66
$1.86MX$31.88
-60.75%
Onion(1kg)
$0.64βΊ29.38
$2.26MX$38.81
-71.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.92βΊ42.67
$1.06MX$18.23
-13.21%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49βΊ22.65
$1.09MX$18.67
-55.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.08βΊ96.3
$4.15MX$71.2
-49.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$9.84βΊ455
$10.39MX$178
-5.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.15βΊ99.5
$1.72MX$29.59
25.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97βΊ137
$2.61MX$44.85
13.79%
π Getting Around
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.61βΊ28.41
$0.54MX$9.30
12.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.35βΊ1,404
$26.94MX$462
12.66%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.04βΊ48.11
$3.13MX$53.7
-66.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.62βΊ28.54
$2.51MX$43.09
-75.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.40βΊ342
$3.15MX$54.1
134.92%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.16βΊ53.8
$1.27MX$21.88
-8.66%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.7KβΊ2.0M
$30.4KMX$521.3K
43.80%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.1KβΊ2.0M
$23.6KMX$404.5K
87.23%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.5βΊ3,213
$83.0MX$1,425
-16.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.53βΊ348
$22.71MX$390
-66.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$10.12βΊ468
$29.46MX$506
-65.65%
π Sport & Entertainment
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$25.64βΊ1,186
$51.0MX$875
-49.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.98βΊ230
$4.93MX$84.5
1.01%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$601βΊ27.8K
$197MX$3,386
204.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,715βΊ403.2K
$5,280MX$90.6K
65.06%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.9βΊ2,399
$36.90MX$633
40.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.33βΊ2,051
$39.89MX$685
11.13%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102βΊ4,724
$80.0MX$1,373
27.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9βΊ4,113
$89.5MX$1,536
-0.64%
π Accommodation & Living
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$509βΊ23.6K
$956MX$16.4K
-46.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$395βΊ18.3K
$477MX$8,189
-17.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$875βΊ40.5K
$1,646MX$28.3K
-46.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$711βΊ32.9K
$1,225MX$21.0K
-41.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$876βΊ40.5K
$3,918MX$67.2K
-77.63%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$691βΊ32.0K
$6,459MX$110.9K
-89.30%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Ordu
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,326βΊ61.3K
$667MX$11.4K
98.79%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
36.83
11.42
222.50%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ordu: June 7, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $509 in Ordu versus $956 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 99% higher in Ordu, 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 $21.00 in Ordu versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $197 vs $250 β making Ordu 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
Ordu vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Ordu?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 28%, 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 $1,489 per month in Ordu and $1,906 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ordu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 13% less in Ordu. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $601 per month in Ordu and $197 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ordu or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ordu, where all-in costs run around $993, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,271. In Ordu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Ordu or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ordu β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Ordu or 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Ordu. 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.