😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $883 in 'ajlun.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,181 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,385 in 'ajlun.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,065 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,886 in 'ajlun.
😐Living in Playa del Carmen is roughly 47% more expensive than 'ajlun, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Playa del Carmen3% lower, 'ajlun34% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$6.88JOD 4.87
70.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$720
$48.68JOD 34.45
-14.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$6.88JOD 4.87
54.65%
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$60.9
$4.05JOD 2.87
-13.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.12
$0.37JOD 0.26
308.11%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.84
$0.35JOD 0.25
177.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.0
$5.50JOD 3.89
-46.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.0
$6.97JOD 4.93
-36.15%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.93
$1.40JOD 0.99
-1.43%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.72
$0.51JOD 0.36
270.59%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.32
$1.71JOD 1.21
-4.09%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.34
$2.47JOD 1.75
1.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$6.61JOD 4.68
26.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$6.38JOD 4.51
30.72%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
$11.35JOD 8.03
-5.46%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.04
$1.10JOD 0.78
136.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.20
$1.10JOD 0.78
32.73%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.87
$1.14JOD 0.81
66.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.91
$0.80JOD 0.56
160.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.71
$0.87JOD 0.61
104.60%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.80
$0.69JOD 0.49
217.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$17.99
$0.64JOD 0.45
62.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.62
$0.60JOD 0.42
80.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.6
$3.49JOD 2.47
16.91%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$178
$20.96JOD 14.83
-50.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.61
$4.63JOD 3.28
-63.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.54
$5.49JOD 3.88
-53.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.81
$0.59JOD 0.42
-13.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$458
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.4
$0.73JOD 0.52
346.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.09
$1.38JOD 0.97
80.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.2
$6.96JOD 4.93
-53.30%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.61
$1.46JOD 1.03
-10.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$523.7K
$26.9KJOD 19.0K
12.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$405.3K
$32.0KJOD 22.6K
-26.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,433
$49.10JOD 34.75
68.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$384
$14.28JOD 10.11
55.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$507
$28.28JOD 20.01
3.75%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$893
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.6
$11.34JOD 8.03
-55.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,473
$273JOD 193
-26.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.1K
$5,474JOD 3,874
-4.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$639
$62.9JOD 44.51
-41.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$688
$56.7JOD 40.09
-29.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,357
$115JOD 81.3
-31.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,506
$82.0JOD 58.0
6.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.8K
$281JOD 199
246.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,090
$215JOD 152
118.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$427JOD 302
284.28%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.1K
$278JOD 197
339.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
'ajlun
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
$691JOD 489
-3.88%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
7.27
57.08%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Last update for 'ajlun: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $973 in Playa del Carmen and $281 in 'ajlun. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰'ajlun pays 4% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $42.00 in Playa del Carmen vs $49.00 in 'ajlun. Groceries flip the comparison at $249 vs $232, with 'ajlun cheaper for home cooking.
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
Playa del Carmen vs 'ajlun: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'ajlun cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
'ajlun is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 47% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Playa del Carmen or 'ajlun?
On paper, 'ajlun earns 4% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Playa del Carmen and 'ajlun?
Rent for a central apartment: $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $281 in 'ajlun. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $201 in Playa del Carmen versus $273 in 'ajlun. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Playa del Carmen or 'ajlun?
Dining out is cheaper in 'ajlun – a meal for two runs $49.00 versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Playa del Carmen or 'ajlun?
At $883 in 'ajlun versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in 'ajlun but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes 'ajlun the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or 'ajlun more family-friendly?
For families, 'ajlun 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 safer, Playa del Carmen or 'ajlun?
Safety-wise, Playa del Carmen and 'ajlun are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find 'ajlun gentler on the wallet – expenses run 47% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared