🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,256 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,033 in Aberdeen, WA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,137 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,044 in Aberdeen, WA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,017 in Playa del Carmen versus $4,056 in Aberdeen, WA.
🌍Living in Playa del Carmen costs roughly 38% less than in Aberdeen, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Playa del Carmen is 6% below, Aberdeen, WA is 52% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.99MX$209
$20.64$20.64
-41.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.78MX$728
$102$102
-59.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.75MX$187
$11.90$11.90
-9.66%
Cappuccino
$3.50MX$60.9
$4.72$4.72
-25.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45MX$25.22
$1.78$1.78
-18.54%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88MX$15.41
$2.42$2.42
-63.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.3
$6.02$6.02
-51.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51MX$78.6
$5.14$5.14
-12.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43MX$24.94
$1.08$1.08
32.41%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.99
$2.73$2.73
-32.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57MX$27.31
$2.72$2.72
-42.28%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.74
$5.03$5.03
-50.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.28MX$144
$10.05$10.05
-17.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$147
$6.66$6.66
26.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.68MX$186
$8.77$8.77
21.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61MX$45.43
$5.17$5.17
-49.52%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44MX$25.04
$1.86$1.86
-22.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$34.16
$5.69$5.69
-65.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.09MX$36.47
$5.89$5.89
-64.52%
Potato(1kg)
$1.85MX$32.24
$2.87$2.87
-35.54%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.74
$3.57$3.57
-39.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03MX$17.96
$2.88$2.88
-64.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MX$18.70
$1.81$1.81
-40.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10MX$71.4
$11.30$11.30
-63.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.17MX$177
$12.75$12.75
-20.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$29.17
$1.78$1.78
-5.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53MX$43.98
$2.64$2.64
-4.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.87
$0.98$0.98
-47.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.04MX$453
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.3
$5.52$5.52
-41.49%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.41MX$41.88
$0.77$0.77
212.99%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.2
$29.30$29.30
-88.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32MX$23.00
$1.11$1.11
18.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7KMX$517.1K
$30.7K$30.7K
-3.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KMX$412.0K
$26.1K$26.1K
-9.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.0MX$1,428
$158$158
-48.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.95MX$400
$52.5$52.5
-56.28%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.11MX$524
$70.6$70.6
-57.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$905
$30.60$30.60
69.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.53MX$323
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.98MX$86.6
$4.91$4.91
1.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$197MX$3,438
$1,012$1,012
-80.49%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,336MX$92.9K
$30.5K$30.5K
-82.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.60MX$620
$44.76$44.76
-20.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33MX$702
$29.19$29.19
38.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,371
$65.6$65.6
20.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9MX$1,549
$114$114
-22.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$947MX$16.5K
$1,084$1,084
-12.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474MX$8,254
$904$904
-47.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,644MX$28.6K
$1,761$1,761
-6.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,211MX$21.1K
$1,390$1,390
-12.90%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,056MX$70.6K
$2,952$2,952
37.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,470MX$112.7K
$2,926$2,926
121.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Aberdeen, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$654MX$11.4K
$4,336$4,336
-84.92%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.51
75.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 13, 2026
Last update for Aberdeen, WA: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $947 in Playa del Carmen and $1,084 in Aberdeen, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Aberdeen, WA pays 563% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $42.00 in Playa del Carmen vs $102 in Aberdeen, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $249 vs $337 per month, with Playa del Carmen 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
Playa del Carmen vs Aberdeen, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Aberdeen, WA cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 62% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Playa del Carmen or Aberdeen, WA?
On paper, salaries run 563% lower in Aberdeen, WA. 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 Aberdeen, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $947 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,084 in Aberdeen, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $197 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,012 in Aberdeen, WA. 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 in Aberdeen, WA?
Dining out is cheaper in Playa del Carmen – a meal for two runs $42.00 versus $102 in Aberdeen, WA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Playa del Carmen or in Aberdeen, WA?
At $1,256 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,033 in Aberdeen, WA, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Aberdeen, WA. The gap between the two cities makes Playa del Carmen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or Aberdeen, WA more family-friendly?
For families, Playa del Carmen is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Aberdeen, WA, 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 Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Aberdeen, WA. 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