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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,239 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $247 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,168 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $418 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,096 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $588 in Bakkafjordur, rent included.

Playa del Carmen costs about 402% more than Bakkafjordur, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Playa del Carmen and Bakkafjordur are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen 8% lower, Bakkafjordur 82% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.17 MX$203

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$44.61 MX$810

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.91 MX$216

Cappuccino

$3.81 MX$69.3

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

$1.38 MX$24.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 MX$14.46

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.12 MX$56.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.97 MX$90.2

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 MX$27.42

White Bread (500g)

$2.25 MX$40.77

$2.22 ISK 271

1.35%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.51 MX$27.35

$2.22 ISK 271

-31.98%

Eggs

$2.46 MX$44.73

$4.92 ISK 599

-50.00%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$7.50 MX$136

$8.93 ISK 1,086

-16.01%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.07 MX$146

$11.05 ISK 1,345

-26.97%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.08 MX$238

$10.95 ISK 1,332

19.45%

Apples (1kg)

$2.83 MX$51.5

$2.16 ISK 263

31.02%

Banana (1kg)

$1.47 MX$26.78

$2.16 ISK 263

-31.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.69 MX$48.90

$2.15 ISK 262

25.12%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.08 MX$37.75

$2.23 ISK 271

-6.73%

Potato (1kg)

$1.96 MX$35.52

$2.24 ISK 273

-12.50%

Onion (1kg)

$2.01 MX$36.51

$2.18 ISK 266

-7.80%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 MX$21.97

$0.98 ISK 119

23.47%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.23 MX$22.34

$1.96 ISK 238

-37.24%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.46 MX$81.0

Wine (Bottle)

$9.98 MX$181

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.63 MX$29.62

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.80 MX$50.8

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.58 MX$10.50

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$28.28 MX$514

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.85 MX$88.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.50 MX$63.5

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.65 MX$103

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.46 MX$26.43

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

$21.4K MX$388.4K

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

$24.0K MX$435.6K

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

$86.3 MX$1,568

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

$23.96 MX$435

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$28.93 MX$525

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$64.6 MX$1,174

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$29.07 MX$528

Cinema Ticket

$5.13 MX$93.1

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

$211 MX$3,838

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,045 MX$73.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$44.23 MX$803

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.35 MX$787

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$76.9 MX$1,396

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.4 MX$1,605

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$996 MX$18.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$379 MX$6,874

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,767 MX$32.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,127 MX$20.5K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,010 MX$72.8K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,392 MX$116.1K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$768 MX$14.0K

$5,874 ISK 714.9K

-86.92%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.45

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 27, 2026

Last update for Bakkafjordur: September 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 665% higher in Bakkafjordur, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Bakkafjordur: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa del Carmen costs about 402% more than Bakkafjordur, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,859 per month in Playa del Carmen and $370 in Bakkafjordur. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,239 in Playa del Carmen and $247 in Bakkafjordur. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 6% 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 Bakkafjordur, where all-in costs run around $247, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,239. In Bakkafjordur 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. Bakkafjordur costs $247 versus $1,239 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Bakkafjordur. 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.