๐A single person spends $1,261 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,948 in Acqualagna PU, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,130 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,969 in Acqualagna PU, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,999 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $3,990 in Acqualagna PU, rent included.
๐Playa del Carmen is about 35% cheaper than Acqualagna PU, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Playa del Carmen sits 6% below the global median, while Acqualagna PU is 45% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.67MX$202
$22.84โฌ19.48
-48.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.88MX$726
$81.2โฌ69.3
-48.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.40MX$180
$12.03โฌ10.26
-13.55%
Cappuccino
$3.61MX$62.6
$2.06โฌ1.76
75.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47MX$25.45
$3.57โฌ3.05
-58.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91MX$15.80
$1.39โฌ1.18
-34.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03MX$52.6
$5.86โฌ4.99
-48.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47MX$77.4
$5.66โฌ4.83
-21.02%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.83
$1.83โฌ1.56
-24.59%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.93
$2.99โฌ2.55
-38.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61MX$27.82
$3.47โฌ2.96
-53.60%
Eggs
$2.57MX$44.52
$4.19โฌ3.58
-38.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$21.92โฌ18.69
-61.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$13.99โฌ11.94
-39.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.99MX$190
$23.65โฌ20.18
-53.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73MX$47.25
$2.94โฌ2.51
-7.14%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$25.92
$2.79โฌ2.38
-46.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.93
$3.64โฌ3.10
-46.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.70
$4.38โฌ3.74
-51.60%
Potato(1kg)
$1.86MX$32.30
$2.50โฌ2.13
-25.60%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.67
$2.01โฌ1.72
7.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07MX$18.59
$1.49โฌ1.27
-28.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05MX$18.18
$0.50โฌ0.42
110.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19MX$72.6
$6.95โฌ5.93
-39.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.28MX$178
$9.59โฌ8.18
7.19%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.87
$1.85โฌ1.57
-9.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49MX$43.12
$3.23โฌ2.76
-22.91%
๐ Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.54MX$9.37
$1.76โฌ1.50
-69.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.27MX$455
$43.94โฌ37.48
-40.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.10MX$53.8
$5.63โฌ4.81
-44.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.46MX$42.66
$1.59โฌ1.35
54.72%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.24MX$56.1
$31.09โฌ26.52
-89.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26MX$21.83
$2.11โฌ1.80
-40.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KMX$522.8K
$38.8Kโฌ33.1K
-22.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$406.3K
$39.0Kโฌ33.2K
-39.85%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0MX$1,456
$227โฌ194
-63.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21MX$385
$11.31โฌ9.65
96.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.65MX$514
$33.98โฌ28.99
-12.74%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.6MX$912
$55.6โฌ47.39
-5.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.34MX$318
$23.19โฌ19.78
-20.91%
Cinema Ticket
$4.95MX$85.7
$12.50โฌ10.66
-60.40%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198MX$3,438
$907โฌ773
-78.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,322MX$92.2K
$8,157โฌ6,958
-34.76%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.95MX$623
$98.5โฌ84.0
-63.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.06MX$694
$52.1โฌ44.48
-23.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,365
$119โฌ102
-33.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5MX$1,499
$199โฌ170
-56.47%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$977MX$16.9K
$749โฌ639
30.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$471MX$8,158
$575โฌ491
-18.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,595MX$27.6K
$1,211โฌ1,033
31.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,215MX$21.1K
$909โฌ775
33.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,032MX$69.9K
$2,975โฌ2,538
35.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,579MX$114.0K
$1,960โฌ1,672
235.70%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Acqualagna PU
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$714MX$12.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
4.17
173.86%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 19, 2026
Last update for Acqualagna PU: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $977 in Playa del Carmen versus $749 in Acqualagna PU. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $42 in Playa del Carmen versus $81 in Acqualagna PU. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $252 vs $412 โ 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
Playa del Carmen vs Acqualagna PU: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Acqualagna PU?
Acqualagna PU costs about 54% 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 vs Acqualagna PU?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,891 per month in Playa del Carmen and $2,922 in Acqualagna PU. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Acqualagna PU?
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 dining costs compare in Playa del Carmen vs Acqualagna PU?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen and $81.0 in Acqualagna PU. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Playa del Carmen compared to Acqualagna PU?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,261 in Playa del Carmen and $1,948 in Acqualagna PU. The difference isn't just one category โ it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or Acqualagna PU?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,261, than in Acqualagna PU at $1,948. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Acqualagna PU it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Acqualagna PU?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,261 versus $1,948 in Acqualagna PU. 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 Acqualagna PU?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or Acqualagna PU?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Acqualagna PU makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared