😐A single person spends $3,386 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $1,305 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,843 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $2,334 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $6,300 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL vs $3,362 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
😐Pembroke Pines, FL costs about 159% more than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Pembroke Pines, FL sits 146% above the global median, while Playa del Carmen is 5% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.62$29.62
$11.96MX$203
147.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$95.0$95.0
$47.38MX$804
100.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$14.65$14.65
$11.75MX$199
24.68%
Cappuccino
$5.55$5.55
$4.12MX$70.0
34.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56$2.56
$1.40MX$23.74
82.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.10$2.10
$0.91MX$15.48
130.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.60$5.60
$3.21MX$54.4
74.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.33$6.33
$7.07MX$120
-10.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.02$1.02
$1.68MX$28.44
-39.29%
White Bread(500g)
$3.12$3.12
$2.15MX$36.48
45.12%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.22$3.22
$1.77MX$30.10
81.92%
Eggs
$4.73$4.73
$2.82MX$47.76
67.73%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.44$13.44
$9.20MX$156
46.09%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$12.61$12.61
$9.23MX$157
36.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$19.79$19.79
$12.64MX$214
56.57%
Apples(1kg)
$4.85$4.85
$2.95MX$50.1
64.41%
Banana(1kg)
$2.02$2.02
$1.58MX$26.79
27.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.15$4.15
$2.22MX$37.70
86.94%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.31$5.31
$2.36MX$40.09
125.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.86$2.86
$1.99MX$33.81
43.72%
Onion(1kg)
$3.25$3.25
$1.98MX$33.58
64.14%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.63$2.63
$1.24MX$21.04
112.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.86$1.86
$1.21MX$20.55
53.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.82$8.82
$4.60MX$78.1
91.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.85$12.85
$10.52MX$178
22.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.17$3.17
$1.69MX$28.70
87.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16$2.16
$2.77MX$47.06
-22.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.09$3.09
$0.60MX$10.22
415.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$44.46$44.46
$29.70MX$504
49.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.04$4.04
$5.24MX$88.8
-22.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.82$1.82
$3.65MX$61.9
-50.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$23.68$23.68
$5.78MX$98.1
309.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.00$1.00
$1.54MX$26.09
-35.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.8K$32.8K
$22.8KMX$386.8K
43.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K$24.9K
$25.8KMX$437.9K
-3.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$222$222
$90.7MX$1,538
145.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$59.7$59.7
$25.19MX$427
136.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$80.4$80.4
$31.75MX$539
153.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$28.68$28.68
$68.8MX$1,167
-58.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.37MX$498
-
Cinema Ticket
$13.70$13.70
$4.86MX$82.5
181.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,006$1,006
$226MX$3,828
345.98%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$41.8K$41.8K
$4,194MX$71.1K
897.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.97$45.97
$47.38MX$804
-2.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.74$41.74
$43.45MX$737
-3.94%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$105$105
$80.2MX$1,361
30.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$117$117
$91.4MX$1,550
28.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,294$2,294
$1,086MX$18.4K
111.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,978$1,978
$409MX$6,933
383.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,092$3,092
$1,972MX$33.5K
56.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,937$2,937
$1,281MX$21.7K
129.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,376$2,376
$4,046MX$68.6K
-41.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,545$3,545
$6,704MX$113.7K
-47.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pembroke Pines, FL
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,539$4,539
$773MX$13.1K
486.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.06
11.45
-47.07%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Pembroke Pines, FL: September 5, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $2,294 in Pembroke Pines, FL versus $1,086 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.
💰Salaries run about 487% higher in Pembroke Pines, FL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $95.0 in Pembroke Pines, FL versus $47.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $409 vs $278 – making Playa del Carmen 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
Pembroke Pines, FL vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Pembroke Pines, FL and in Playa del Carmen compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $3,386 in Pembroke Pines, FL, $1,305 in Playa del Carmen – roughly 159% apart. Pembroke Pines, FL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Pembroke Pines, FL compared to Playa del Carmen?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $5,078 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL and $1,958 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Pembroke Pines, FL and Playa del Carmen?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Pembroke Pines, FL and in Playa del Carmen?
Public transport costs about 50% less in Playa del Carmen. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Pembroke Pines, FL and Playa del Carmen?
Kindergarten costs $1,006 per month in Pembroke Pines, FL and $226 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,305, than in Pembroke Pines, FL at $3,386. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Pembroke Pines, FL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Pembroke Pines, FL and Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,305 in Playa del Carmen to $3,386 in Pembroke Pines, FL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Pembroke Pines, FL and Playa del Carmen?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Pembroke Pines, FL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Pembroke Pines, FL vs other spots: cost of living compared