😐A single person spends $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $61.9 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,181 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $93.0 in Barinas, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,065 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $124 in Barinas, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 1996% more than Barinas, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Barinas are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen3% lower, Barinas95% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
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Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$720
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Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
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Cappuccino
$3.52MX$60.9
-
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Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.12
$0.97VES 542
55.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.84
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Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.0
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.0
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🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.93
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-
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.72
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-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.32
$1.09VES 606
50.46%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.34
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Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$2.96VES 1,651
181.76%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
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Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
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Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.04
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Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.20
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Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.87
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Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.91
$1.08VES 602
92.59%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.71
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Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.80
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Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$17.99
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Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.62
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Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.6
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Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$178
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Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.61
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Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.54
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🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.81
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$458
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Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.4
$2.98VES 1,662
9.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.09
$4.94VES 2,753
-49.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.2
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Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.61
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Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$523.7K
-
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Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$405.3K
-
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🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,433
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$384
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Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$507
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🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$893
$9.98VES 5,564
417.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
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Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.6
-
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🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,473
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-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.1K
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👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$639
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-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$688
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Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,357
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Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,506
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🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.8K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,090
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.1K
-
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Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.3K
-
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Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.4K
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💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Barinas
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
0
-
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 Barinas: June 1, 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 Barinas: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Playa del Carmen and Barinas compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, $61.9 in Barinas – roughly 1996% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Playa del Carmen compared to Barinas?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,945 per month in Playa del Carmen and $92.8 in Barinas. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city is more expensive overall: Playa del Carmen or Barinas?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,297 in Playa del Carmen and $61.9 in Barinas. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 1236% 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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Barinas, where all-in costs run around $61.9, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Barinas it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Playa del Carmen and Barinas?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $61.9 in Barinas to $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How do I decide between Playa del Carmen and Barinas?
If budget matters most, go with Barinas. 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