Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Abraq Khaitan Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Abraq Khaitan

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,256 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,319 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,137 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,094 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,017 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,870 in Abraq Khaitan, rent included.

Playa del Carmen is about 5% cheaper than Abraq Khaitan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Playa del Carmen and Abraq Khaitan are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen 6% lower, Abraq Khaitan 1% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.99 MX$210
$9.88 KWD 3.04
21.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.78 MX$733
$81.6 KWD 25.09
-48.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.75 MX$189
$8.81 KWD 2.71
22.02%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.40 KWD 0.74
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.70 KWD 1.14
-
Cappuccino
$3.50 MX$61.3
$6.11 KWD 1.88
-42.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45 MX$25.41
$0.65 KWD 0.20
123.08%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 MX$15.52
$0.37 KWD 0.11
137.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 MX$51.7
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51 MX$79.1
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.43 MX$25.12
$1.00 KWD 0.31
43.00%
White Bread (500g)
$1.84 MX$32.23
$0.62 KWD 0.19
196.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 MX$27.51
$1.33 KWD 0.41
18.05%
Eggs
$2.51 MX$44.06
$2.09 KWD 0.64
20.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.28 MX$145
$4.86 KWD 1.49
70.37%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.43 MX$148
$6.59 KWD 2.02
27.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.68 MX$187
$8.38 KWD 2.58
27.45%
Apples (1kg)
$2.61 MX$45.76
$2.24 KWD 0.69
16.52%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 MX$25.22
$1.68 KWD 0.52
-14.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.96 MX$34.41
$1.28 KWD 0.39
53.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.09 MX$36.74
$1.35 KWD 0.41
54.81%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 MX$32.47
$1.22 KWD 0.37
51.64%
Onion (1kg)
$2.17 MX$38.02
$0.66 KWD 0.20
228.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 MX$18.09
$0.94 KWD 0.29
9.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07 MX$18.84
$0.32 KWD 0.10
234.38%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$0.94 KWD 0.29
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.94 KWD 0.29
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.40 KWD 0.43
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10 MX$72.0
$2.92 KWD 0.90
40.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.17 MX$178
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 MX$29.38
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 MX$44.31
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.51 MX$8.93
$0.87 KWD 0.27
-41.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.04 MX$457
$48.27 KWD 14.84
-46.05%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 MX$56.7
$3.25 KWD 1.00
-0.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.41 MX$42.19
$3.22 KWD 0.99
-25.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.23 MX$56.6
$16.06 KWD 4.94
-79.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 MX$23.17
$0.36 KWD 0.11
266.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K MX$520.9K
$16.5K KWD 5,071
80.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K MX$415.0K
$16.3K KWD 5,018
44.95%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.0 MX$1,439
$63.7 KWD 19.57
28.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.95 MX$403
$17.67 KWD 5.43
29.88%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.11 MX$528
$25.47 KWD 7.83
18.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$52.0 MX$912
$83.2 KWD 25.59
-37.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.53 MX$325
$43.40 KWD 13.34
-57.30%
Cinema Ticket
$4.98 MX$87.3
$10.04 KWD 3.09
-50.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$197 MX$3,463
$161 KWD 49.39
22.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,336 MX$93.6K
$3,299 KWD 1,014
61.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.60 MX$624
$42.74 KWD 13.14
-16.71%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33 MX$707
$33.14 KWD 10.19
21.70%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.8 MX$1,381
$80.3 KWD 24.69
-1.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9 MX$1,560
$65.8 KWD 20.22
35.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$947 MX$16.6K
$766 KWD 236
23.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$474 MX$8,314
$587 KWD 180
-19.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,644 MX$28.8K
$1,168 KWD 359
40.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,211 MX$21.2K
$1,019 KWD 313
18.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,056 MX$71.1K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,470 MX$113.5K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Abraq Khaitan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$654 MX$11.5K
$3,606 KWD 1,109
-81.87%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.42
7.14
59.94%

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 Abraq Khaitan: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $947 in Playa del Carmen versus $766 in Abraq Khaitan. 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 451% higher in Abraq Khaitan, 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 $42.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $82.0 in Abraq Khaitan. Groceries tell a different story – $249 in Playa del Carmen vs $148 in Abraq Khaitan – so Abraq Khaitan wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Abraq Khaitan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Abraq Khaitan?
Abraq Khaitan costs about 5% more than Playa del Carmen, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Playa del Carmen and in Abraq Khaitan?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,884 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,978 in Abraq Khaitan. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Abraq Khaitan?
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 childcare costs compare in Playa del Carmen and in Abraq Khaitan?
Kindergarten costs $197 per month in Playa del Carmen and $161 in Abraq Khaitan. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Playa del Carmen or in Abraq Khaitan?
Interestingly, groceries are about 68% cheaper in Abraq Khaitan – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or in Abraq Khaitan?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,256, than in Abraq Khaitan at $1,319. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Abraq Khaitan it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Abraq Khaitan?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,256 versus $1,319 in Abraq Khaitan. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Playa del Carmen compared to Abraq Khaitan?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or to Abraq Khaitan?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Abraq Khaitan makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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