๐A single person spends $1,261 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,502 in Blythewood, SC, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,130 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $3,279 in Blythewood, SC, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,999 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $4,057 in Blythewood, SC, rent included.
๐Playa del Carmen is about 50% cheaper than Blythewood, SC, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
๐Playa del Carmen sits 6% below the global median, while Blythewood, SC is 87% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.67MX$202
$12.12$12.12
-3.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.88MX$726
$40.80$40.80
2.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.40MX$180
$10.02$10.02
3.79%
Cappuccino
$3.61MX$62.6
$3.09$3.09
16.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47MX$25.45
$1.82$1.82
-19.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91MX$15.80
$2.38$2.38
-61.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03MX$52.6
$6.85$6.85
-55.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47MX$77.4
$7.92$7.92
-43.56%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.83
$0.85$0.85
62.35%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.93
$1.86$1.86
-1.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61MX$27.82
$3.17$3.17
-49.21%
Eggs
$2.57MX$44.52
$4.66$4.66
-44.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$13.93$13.93
-39.05%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$14.88$14.88
-42.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.99MX$190
$22.10$22.10
-50.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73MX$47.25
$7.97$7.97
-65.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$25.92
$1.72$1.72
-12.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.93
$7.30$7.30
-73.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.70
$7.31$7.31
-71.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.86MX$32.30
$2.77$2.77
-32.85%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.67
$5.61$5.61
-61.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07MX$18.59
$1.94$1.94
-44.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05MX$18.18
$3.32$3.32
-68.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19MX$72.6
$7.49$7.49
-44.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.28MX$178
$13.95$13.95
-26.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.87
$1.79$1.79
-6.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49MX$43.12
$4.60$4.60
-45.87%
๐ Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.54MX$9.37
$1.96$1.96
-72.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.27MX$455
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.10MX$53.8
$3.02$3.02
2.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.46MX$42.66
$1.56$1.56
57.69%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.24MX$56.1
$19.73$19.73
-83.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26MX$21.83
$0.72$0.72
75.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KMX$522.8K
$32.6K$32.6K
-7.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$406.3K
$26.4K$26.4K
-11.35%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0MX$1,456
$138$138
-38.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21MX$385
$29.69$29.69
-25.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.65MX$514
$60.2$60.2
-50.78%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.6MX$912
$17.84$17.84
195.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.34MX$318
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.95MX$85.7
$12.08$12.08
-59.02%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198MX$3,438
$1,338$1,338
-85.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,322MX$92.2K
$25.8K$25.8K
-79.40%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.95MX$623
$45.54$45.54
-21.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.06MX$694
$19.61$19.61
104.28%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,365
$91.0$91.0
-13.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5MX$1,499
$102$102
-14.99%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$977MX$16.9K
$1,591$1,591
-38.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$471MX$8,158
$1,372$1,372
-65.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,595MX$27.6K
$2,595$2,595
-38.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,215MX$21.1K
$1,671$1,671
-27.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,032MX$69.9K
$2,707$2,707
48.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,579MX$114.0K
$2,455$2,455
167.96%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Blythewood, SC
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$714MX$12.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.53
74.89%
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 Blythewood, SC: April 20, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $977 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,591 in Blythewood, SC. 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 $41 in Blythewood, SC. Groceries tell a different story โ $252 in Playa del Carmen vs $470 in Blythewood, SC โ so Playa del Carmen wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Blythewood, SC: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Blythewood, SC?
Blythewood, SC costs about 98% 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 Blythewood, SC?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,891 per month in Playa del Carmen and $3,753 in Blythewood, SC. 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 Blythewood, SC?
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 Blythewood, SC?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen and $41.00 in Blythewood, SC. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and cafรฉ pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Playa del Carmen or Blythewood, SC?
Groceries cost about 87% more in Blythewood, SC, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or Blythewood, SC?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,261, than in Blythewood, SC at $2,502. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Blythewood, SC it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Blythewood, SC?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,261 versus $2,502 in Blythewood, SC. 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 Blythewood, SC?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Blythewood, SC makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared