🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $678 in Passo Fundo versus $1,256 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,120 in Passo Fundo versus $2,137 in Playa del Carmen.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,562 in Passo Fundo versus $3,017 in Playa del Carmen.
🌍Living in Passo Fundo costs roughly 46% less than in Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Passo Fundo49% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.43R$27.66
$11.99MX$209
-54.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.20R$138
$41.78MX$728
-34.90%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.18R$31.46
$10.75MX$187
-42.51%
Cappuccino
$0.92R$4.68
$3.50MX$60.9
-73.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10R$5.60
$1.45MX$25.22
-24.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52R$2.63
$0.88MX$15.41
-40.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.45R$7.38
$2.95MX$51.3
-50.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.78R$9.07
$4.51MX$78.6
-60.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.86R$4.36
$1.43MX$24.94
-39.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.45R$7.41
$1.84MX$31.99
-21.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.09R$5.57
$1.57MX$27.31
-30.57%
Eggs
$2.07R$10.52
$2.51MX$43.74
-17.53%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.00R$30.56
$8.28MX$144
-27.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.66R$23.74
$8.43MX$147
-44.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.28R$47.24
$10.68MX$186
-13.11%
Apples(1kg)
$2.06R$10.47
$2.61MX$45.43
-21.07%
Banana(1kg)
$0.73R$3.73
$1.44MX$25.04
-49.31%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.28R$6.52
$1.96MX$34.16
-34.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.71R$3.59
$2.09MX$36.47
-66.03%
Potato(1kg)
$1.10R$5.58
$1.85MX$32.24
-40.54%
Onion(1kg)
$1.06R$5.41
$2.17MX$37.74
-51.15%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.63R$3.23
$1.03MX$17.96
-38.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62R$3.17
$1.07MX$18.70
-42.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.92R$9.80
$4.10MX$71.4
-53.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.80R$39.70
$10.17MX$177
-23.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.75R$3.83
$1.68MX$29.17
-55.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.81R$9.20
$2.53MX$43.98
-28.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.88R$4.47
$0.51MX$8.87
72.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$39.13R$199
$26.04MX$453
50.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.11R$5.65
$3.23MX$56.3
-65.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.05R$5.36
$2.41MX$41.88
-56.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.30R$27.00
$3.23MX$56.2
64.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06R$5.40
$1.32MX$23.00
-19.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KR$125.9K
$29.7KMX$517.1K
-16.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7KR$141.2K
$23.7KMX$412.0K
17.19%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.94R$173
$82.0MX$1,428
-58.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.79R$34.55
$22.95MX$400
-70.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.31R$88.2
$30.11MX$524
-42.51%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.00R$91.6
$52.0MX$905
-65.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.66R$110
$18.53MX$323
16.89%
Cinema Ticket
$4.38R$22.32
$4.98MX$86.6
-12.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$314R$1,599
$197MX$3,438
59.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,169R$36.5K
$5,336MX$92.9K
34.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$48.41R$246
$35.60MX$620
35.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$54.8R$279
$40.33MX$702
35.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.5R$410
$78.8MX$1,371
2.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.8R$315
$88.9MX$1,549
-30.50%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$317R$1,613
$947MX$16.5K
-66.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$177R$900
$474MX$8,254
-62.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$636R$3,240
$1,644MX$28.6K
-61.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$367R$1,867
$1,211MX$21.1K
-69.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$848R$4,318
$4,056MX$70.6K
-79.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$630R$3,208
$6,470MX$112.7K
-90.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Passo Fundo
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$684R$3,483
$654MX$11.4K
4.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
11.42
-12.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Passo Fundo: July 12, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $317 in Passo Fundo and $947 in Playa del Carmen. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Passo Fundo pays 5% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $27.00 in Passo Fundo vs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $167 vs $249 per month, with Passo Fundo cheaper across the board.
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
Passo Fundo vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Passo Fundo?
Passo Fundo is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 85% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Passo Fundo or Playa del Carmen?
Average pay runs 5% higher in Passo Fundo, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Passo Fundo and Playa del Carmen?
Rent for a central apartment: $317 in Passo Fundo versus $947 in Playa del Carmen. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Passo Fundo or in Playa del Carmen?
Dining out is cheaper in Passo Fundo – a meal for two runs $27.00 versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Passo Fundo and in Playa del Carmen?
All in, you'll spend $678 per month in Passo Fundo versus $1,256 in Playa del Carmen – a 85% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Passo Fundo or in Playa del Carmen?
At $678 in Passo Fundo versus $1,256 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Passo Fundo but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Passo Fundo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Passo Fundo or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
For families, Passo Fundo is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Playa del Carmen, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Passo Fundo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 85% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Passo Fundo vs other spots: cost of living compared