Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Brookings, OR

For one person, living is cheaper in Playa del Carmen: $1,204 a month against $2,632 in Brookings, OR, rent and utilities included – about $17,100 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Brookings, OR, United States
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,204
/mo nomad
Brookings, OR
🇺🇸 United States
$2,632
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Playa del Carmen and in Brookings, OR

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Playa del Carmen and in Brookings, OR actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,204 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,632 in Brookings, OR, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $1,204
  • Brookings, OR $2,632

A couple spends around $2,082 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $3,869 in Brookings, OR, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $2,082
  • Brookings, OR $3,869

A family of three spends $2,959 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $5,107 in Brookings, OR, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $2,959
  • Brookings, OR $5,107

Playa del Carmen is about 54% cheaper than Brookings, OR, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Playa del Carmen sits 12% below the global median, while Brookings, OR is 93% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.92 MX$203
$20.05 $20.05
-45.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$43.37 MX$808
$74.7 $74.7
-41.94%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.78 MX$219
$9.62 $9.62
22.45%
Cappuccino
$3.81 MX$71.0
$6.35 $6.35
-40.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 MX$23.89
$3.33 $3.33
-61.56%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 MX$14.58
$2.05 $2.05
-61.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.17 MX$59.0
$6.04 $6.04
-47.52%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.93 MX$91.9
$6.80 $6.80
-27.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 MX$26.20
$1.05 $1.05
34.29%
White Bread (500g)
$2.22 MX$41.30
$4.35 $4.35
-48.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.42 MX$26.40
$4.42 $4.42
-67.87%
Eggs
$2.52 MX$47.00
$6.08 $6.08
-58.55%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.26 MX$135
$12.79 $12.79
-43.24%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.70 MX$143
$11.83 $11.83
-34.91%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.69 MX$236
$16.16 $16.16
-21.47%
Apples (1kg)
$2.78 MX$51.9
$5.23 $5.23
-46.85%
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 MX$25.49
$1.63 $1.63
-15.95%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.55 MX$47.52
$4.38 $4.38
-41.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.12 MX$39.55
$4.74 $4.74
-55.27%
Potato (1kg)
$1.94 MX$36.11
$2.76 $2.76
-29.71%
Onion (1kg)
$1.89 MX$35.13
$2.66 $2.66
-28.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 MX$21.36
$2.50 $2.50
-54.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.18 MX$21.96
$2.24 $2.24
-47.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.30 MX$80.0
$10.29 $10.29
-58.21%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.95 MX$185
$15.04 $15.04
-33.84%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58 MX$29.50
$1.99 $1.99
-20.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67 MX$49.76
$3.14 $3.14
-14.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.55 MX$10.31
$2.29 $2.29
-75.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.62 MX$496
$57.9 $57.9
-54.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.97 MX$92.6
$3.40 $3.40
46.18%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.33 MX$62.1
$1.51 $1.51
120.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.36 MX$99.8
$27.65 $27.65
-80.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.44 MX$26.90
$1.22 $1.22
18.03%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.7K MX$385.0K
$24.7K $24.7K
-16.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.5K MX$437.2K
$29.3K $29.3K
-20.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$84.8 MX$1,580
$224 $224
-62.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.41 MX$436
$58.5 $58.5
-59.98%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.66 MX$534
$70.2 $70.2
-59.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$57.1 MX$1,063
$35.77 $35.77
59.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$28.91 MX$539
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.14 MX$95.7
$13.82 $13.82
-62.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$207 MX$3,848
$1,382 $1,382
-85.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,927 MX$73.2K
$24.9K $24.9K
-84.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.35 MX$808
$53.3 $53.3
-18.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$41.44 MX$772
$44.72 $44.72
-7.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.2 MX$1,382
$88.8 $88.8
-16.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.3 MX$1,663
$113 $113
-21.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$980 MX$18.2K
$1,540 $1,540
-36.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$381 MX$7,095
$1,255 $1,255
-69.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,708 MX$31.8K
$2,508 $2,508
-31.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,075 MX$20.0K
$2,110 $2,110
-49.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,943 MX$73.5K
$3,303 $3,303
19.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,158 MX$114.7K
$3,240 $3,240
90.05%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Brookings, OR
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$735 MX$13.7K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.45
6.57
74.28%

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

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 25, 2026

Last update for Brookings, OR: October 27, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
$381
Brookings, OR
$1.3K 230% $875
Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
$255
Brookings, OR
$416 63.3% $161
Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
$202
Brookings, OR
$331 63.5% $128
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
$137
Brookings, OR
$353 158% $216
Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
$112
Brookings, OR
$135 20.9% $23
Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
$67
Brookings, OR
$63 5.8% $3.9
Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
$50
Brookings, OR
$78 54.6% $28

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $980 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,540 in Brookings, OR. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $43 in Playa del Carmen versus $75 in Brookings, OR. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $255 vs $416 – making Playa del Carmen the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🇺🇸 Brookings, OR
🕒 Local time
19:15 7:15 PM
17:15 5:15 PM
2 h behind Playa del Carmen
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
149,923
18,802
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 18.63 MXN (100 MXN = 5.37 USD). 1 EUR = 20.74 MXN (100 MXN = 4.82 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.11 USD (1 USD = 0.898 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Playa del Carmen Brookings, OR 4,210 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Playa del Carmen
  • Brookings, OR

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Brookings, OR: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Brookings, OR?
Yes – Brookings, OR is pricier by about 119%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,806 per month in Playa del Carmen and $3,947 in Brookings, OR. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $980 there versus $1,540 in Brookings, OR.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 54% less in Playa del Carmen. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $207 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,382 in Brookings, OR. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Playa del Carmen or in Brookings, OR?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,204, than in Brookings, OR at $2,632. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Brookings, OR it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Playa del Carmen or Brookings, OR more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Playa del Carmen – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Playa del Carmen is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 54% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared

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