😐A single person spends $1,287 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $92.1 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,184 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $151 in Arandis, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,082 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $211 in Arandis, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 1297% more than Arandis, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Arandis are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen4% lower, Arandis93% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.94MX$209
$11.63NAD 195
2.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.75MX$748
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.59MX$185
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Cappuccino
$3.62MX$63.4
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Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47MX$25.69
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Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94MX$16.51
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Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09MX$54.1
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46MX$78.0
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43MX$24.94
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White Bread(500g)
$1.88MX$32.97
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Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.63MX$28.50
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Eggs
$2.64MX$46.26
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Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.21MX$144
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Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
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Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.10MX$194
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Apples(1kg)
$2.65MX$46.40
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Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$26.26
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Oranges(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.79
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Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.33
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Potato(1kg)
$1.79MX$31.29
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Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.09
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Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08MX$18.84
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.04MX$18.15
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Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97MX$69.5
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Wine(Bottle)
$10.20MX$179
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Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MX$30.22
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50MX$43.71
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🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52MX$9.07
-
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Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.97MX$472
-
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Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.14MX$55.0
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Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.40MX$42.04
-
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Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.09MX$54.0
-
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27MX$22.28
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Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KMX$540.4K
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Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.3KMX$408.0K
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🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.0MX$1,435
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SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.45MX$393
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Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.66MX$519
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🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.9MX$908
-
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Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.67MX$327
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Cinema Ticket
$4.97MX$87.0
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🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198MX$3,462
-
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International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,273MX$92.3K
-
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👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.34MX$636
-
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Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.05MX$701
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Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.9MX$1,398
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9MX$1,555
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$963MX$16.9K
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1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465MX$8,133
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3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,596MX$27.9K
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3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,209MX$21.2K
-
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Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,942MX$69.0K
-
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,448MX$112.8K
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Arandis
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$720MX$12.6K
-
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20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
0
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CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Last update for Arandis: April 26, 2026
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 Arandis: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Arandis?
Playa del Carmen costs about 1297% more than Arandis, 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 Arandis?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,930 per month in Playa del Carmen and $138 in Arandis. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Playa del Carmen or Arandis?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Arandis, where all-in costs run around $92.1, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Arandis it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Arandis?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Arandis costs $92.1 versus $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or Arandis?
If budget matters most, go with Arandis. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Playa del Carmen makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared