Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ormoc and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Ormoc: $801 a month against $1,202 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $4,800 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Ormoc, Philippines
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Ormoc
🇵🇭 Philippines
$801
/mo nomad
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,202
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ormoc 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 Ormoc and in Playa del Carmen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $801 per month in Ormoc vs $1,202 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Ormoc $801
  • Playa del Carmen $1,202

A couple spends around $1,192 per month in Ormoc vs $2,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Ormoc $1,192
  • Playa del Carmen $2,082

A family of three spends $1,582 per month in Ormoc vs $2,962 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Ormoc $1,582
  • Playa del Carmen $2,962

Ormoc is about 33% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Ormoc and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Ormoc 41% lower, Playa del Carmen 11% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.58 ₱227
$10.67 MX$198
-66.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.26 ₱1,031
$43.80 MX$813
-62.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.80 ₱305
$11.79 MX$219
-59.29%
Cappuccino
$2.15 ₱136
$3.79 MX$70.3
-43.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 ₱43.70
$1.30 MX$24.09
-46.92%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 ₱24.47
$0.83 MX$15.48
-53.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.26 ₱79.6
$3.15 MX$58.4
-60.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.19 ₱139
$4.93 MX$91.6
-55.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 ₱97.4
$1.41 MX$26.16
9.22%
White Bread (500g)
$1.18 ₱74.5
$2.20 MX$40.77
-46.36%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.92 ₱58.3
$1.47 MX$27.35
-37.41%
Eggs
$1.93 ₱122
$2.50 MX$46.37
-22.80%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.16 ₱263
$7.29 MX$135
-42.94%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.20 ₱266
$7.95 MX$148
-47.17%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.12 ₱388
$12.86 MX$239
-52.41%
Apples (1kg)
$2.37 ₱150
$2.90 MX$53.8
-18.28%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 ₱132
$1.38 MX$25.69
51.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.14 ₱136
$2.49 MX$46.26
-14.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.93 ₱59.1
$2.03 MX$37.70
-54.19%
Potato (1kg)
$1.54 ₱97.5
$2.02 MX$37.61
-23.76%
Onion (1kg)
$1.50 ₱94.8
$1.90 MX$35.35
-21.05%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.80 ₱50.5
$1.14 MX$21.25
-29.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 ₱34.75
$1.24 MX$23.01
-55.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98 ₱189
$4.27 MX$79.3
-30.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.85 ₱434
$9.81 MX$182
-30.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.27 ₱80.6
$1.59 MX$29.45
-20.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 ₱111
$2.75 MX$51.0
-36.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.21 ₱13.60
$0.51 MX$9.56
-58.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.35 ₱719
$27.39 MX$509
-58.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.87 ₱54.9
$4.76 MX$88.4
-81.72%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.20 ₱12.72
$3.25 MX$60.3
-93.85%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.13 ₱135
$5.39 MX$100
-60.48%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.11 ₱70.7
$1.53 MX$28.38
-27.45%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.4K ₱1.2M
$21.2K MX$393.9K
-13.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.6K ₱1.1M
$23.3K MX$432.0K
-24.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$113 ₱7,166
$83.5 MX$1,550
35.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.74 ₱998
$23.19 MX$431
-32.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.03 ₱1,650
$27.61 MX$513
-5.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.33 ₱1,923
$56.4 MX$1,048
-46.25%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$28.19 MX$524
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.01 ₱317
$5.00 MX$92.9
0.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$308 ₱19.5K
$207 MX$3,846
48.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,941 ₱503.3K
$5,231 MX$97.1K
51.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.00 ₱2,725
$43.45 MX$807
-1.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.33 ₱1,795
$42.54 MX$790
-33.40%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.4 ₱4,718
$72.8 MX$1,351
2.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.7 ₱3,786
$88.4 MX$1,641
-32.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$364 ₱23.1K
$995 MX$18.5K
-63.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$247 ₱15.6K
$382 MX$7,102
-35.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$824 ₱52.3K
$1,674 MX$31.1K
-50.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$457 ₱29.0K
$1,081 MX$20.1K
-57.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,654 ₱231.6K
$3,909 MX$72.6K
-6.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,438 ₱154.5K
$6,138 MX$114.0K
-60.27%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ormoc
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$832 MX$15.5K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
7
11.45
-38.86%

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

Last update for Ormoc: November 1, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ormoc
$247
Playa del Carmen
$382 54.9% $136
Groceries & Markets
Ormoc
$169
Playa del Carmen
$257 52.5% $89
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ormoc
$155
Playa del Carmen
$134 13.3% $21
Clothing & Footwear
Ormoc
$92
Playa del Carmen
$111 20.3% $19
Eating Out
Ormoc
$84
Playa del Carmen
$200 139% $117
Sport & Entertainment
Ormoc
$40
Playa del Carmen
$66 64.7% $26
Getting Around
Ormoc
$14
Playa del Carmen
$50 258% $36

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $364 in Ormoc versus $995 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.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $16 in Ormoc versus $44 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $169 vs $257 – making Ormoc the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇭 Ormoc
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🕒 Local time
01:48 1:48 AM
12:48 12:48 PM
13 h behind Ormoc
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
230,998
149,923
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to PHP – Philippine Peso Converter

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 63.38 PHP (100 PHP = 1.58 USD). 1 EUR = 70.96 PHP (100 PHP = 1.41 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 3, 2026: 1 USD = 18.57 MXN (100 MXN = 5.38 USD). 1 EUR = 20.79 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ormoc Playa del Carmen 15,080 km ≈ 19 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ormoc
  • 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
Ormoc vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ormoc cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 50%, 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 $1,202 per month in Ormoc and $1,804 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ormoc, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $364 there versus $995 in Playa del Carmen.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $308 per month in Ormoc and $207 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Ormoc and in Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 52% more in Playa del Carmen, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Ormoc or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ormoc, where all-in costs run around $801, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,202. In Ormoc 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 Ormoc or in Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $801 in Ormoc to $1,202 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Ormoc is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 33% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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