Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Bakau Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Bakau

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $284 in Bakau, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,181 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $489 in Bakau, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,065 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $695 in Bakau, rent included.

Playa del Carmen costs about 356% more than Bakau, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Both Playa del Carmen and Bakau are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen 3% lower, Bakau 79% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.73 MX$203

$4.15 GMD 307

182.65%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.62 MX$721

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.64 MX$184

Cappuccino

$3.52 MX$61.0

$4.64 GMD 343

-24.14%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 MX$26.17

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.97 MX$16.87

$1.11 GMD 82.2

-12.61%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 MX$51.1

$1.78 GMD 132

65.73%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.45 MX$77.2

$2.87 GMD 212

55.05%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 MX$23.97

$2.59 GMD 191

-46.72%

White Bread (500g)

$1.89 MX$32.78

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.64 MX$28.37

Eggs

$2.51 MX$43.42

$5.67 GMD 419

-55.73%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.34 MX$145

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.34 MX$145

$16.87 GMD 1,247

-50.56%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.73 MX$186

Apples (1kg)

$2.60 MX$45.12

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 MX$25.25

Oranges (1kg)

$1.90 MX$32.94

Tomato (1kg)

$2.08 MX$35.98

Potato (1kg)

$1.78 MX$30.77

Onion (1kg)

$2.19 MX$37.87

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.04 MX$18.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.08 MX$18.66

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.08 MX$70.7

Wine (Bottle)

$10.32 MX$179

$13.58 GMD 1,004

-24.01%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 MX$29.67

$2.15 GMD 159

-20.47%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.58 MX$44.63

$2.91 GMD 215

-11.34%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 MX$8.83

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.46 MX$459

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 MX$56.5

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.49 MX$43.17

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.25 MX$56.3

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 MX$22.65

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$30.3K MX$524.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.4K MX$406.0K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$82.9 MX$1,436

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$22.22 MX$385

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$29.34 MX$508

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.6 MX$895

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.32 MX$317

Cinema Ticket

$5.07 MX$87.8

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$201 MX$3,480

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,212 MX$90.3K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.92 MX$640

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.79 MX$689

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$78.5 MX$1,360

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$87.1 MX$1,509

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$973 MX$16.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$468 MX$8,105

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,641 MX$28.4K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,221 MX$21.2K

$70.1 GMD 5,180

1641.51%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,946 MX$68.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,498 MX$112.6K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$664 MX$11.5K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

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 Bakau: June 2, 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 Bakau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa del Carmen costs about 356% more than Bakau, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,945 per month in Playa del Carmen and $426 in Bakau. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,297 in Playa del Carmen and $284 in Bakau. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 41% more in Playa del Carmen, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bakau, where all-in costs run around $284, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Bakau it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bakau costs $284 versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Bakau. 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.