😐A single person spends $1,287 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,184 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,222 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,082 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,629 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 58% more than Cyberjaya, Selangor, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Cyberjaya, Selangor are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen4% lower, Cyberjaya, Selangor39% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.94MX$208
$3.21MYR 12.69
271.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.75MX$744
$13.99MYR 55.2
205.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.59MX$184
$4.73MYR 18.69
123.89%
Cappuccino
$3.62MX$63.0
$1.61MYR 6.38
124.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47MX$25.54
$0.70MYR 2.76
110.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94MX$16.41
$0.26MYR 1.03
261.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.09MX$53.8
$1.95MYR 7.69
58.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.46MX$77.6
$3.59MYR 14.20
24.23%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43MX$24.80
$1.75MYR 6.90
-18.29%
White Bread(500g)
$1.88MX$32.79
$0.98MYR 3.89
91.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.63MX$28.34
$1.26MYR 4.97
29.37%
Eggs
$2.64MX$45.99
$1.35MYR 5.33
95.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.21MX$143
$15.79MYR 62.4
-48.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$144
$2.66MYR 10.52
211.65%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.10MX$193
$4.07MYR 16.06
172.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65MX$46.14
$2.45MYR 9.67
8.16%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$26.11
$1.07MYR 4.22
40.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.59
$1.84MYR 7.26
8.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.13
$1.04MYR 4.09
100.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79MX$31.11
$0.68MYR 2.69
163.24%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$37.87
$0.70MYR 2.76
211.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08MX$18.73
$1.16MYR 4.59
-6.90%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.04MX$18.04
$0.46MYR 1.80
126.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.97MX$69.1
$4.22MYR 16.68
-5.92%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.20MX$178
$14.30MYR 56.5
-28.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.73MX$30.04
$1.74MYR 6.88
-0.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50MX$43.46
$2.05MYR 8.08
21.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.52MX$9.02
$0.97MYR 3.84
-46.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.97MX$469
$11.71MYR 46.26
130.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.14MX$54.7
$0.68MYR 2.67
361.76%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.40MX$41.80
$0.99MYR 3.92
142.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.09MX$53.7
$5.93MYR 23.42
-47.89%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.27MX$22.16
$0.46MYR 1.81
176.09%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KMX$537.3K
$30.8KMYR 121.8K
0.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.3KMX$405.7K
$28.9KMYR 114.3K
-19.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.0MX$1,427
$45.69MYR 180
79.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.45MX$391
$8.84MYR 34.94
153.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.66MX$516
$24.42MYR 96.5
21.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.9MX$903
$51.1MYR 202
1.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.67MX$325
$10.52MYR 41.55
77.47%
Cinema Ticket
$4.97MX$86.5
$4.99MYR 19.73
-0.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198MX$3,442
$185MYR 732
6.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,273MX$91.7K
$7,045MYR 27.8K
-25.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.34MX$632
$66.1MYR 261
-44.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.05MX$697
$18.80MYR 74.3
113.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.9MX$1,390
$59.2MYR 234
34.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9MX$1,547
$39.85MYR 157
123.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$963MX$16.8K
$295MYR 1,166
226.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$465MX$8,086
$286MYR 1,130
62.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,596MX$27.8K
$598MYR 2,363
166.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,209MX$21.0K
$513MYR 2,025
135.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,942MX$68.6K
$887MYR 3,505
344.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,448MX$112.2K
$825MYR 3,260
681.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$720MX$12.5K
$1,818MYR 7,182
-60.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
4.07
180.59%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Last update for Cyberjaya, Selangor: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $963 in Playa del Carmen versus $295 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 152% higher in Cyberjaya, Selangor, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $43.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $14.00 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $251 vs $197 – making Cyberjaya, Selangor the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Cyberjaya, Selangor: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Playa del Carmen and Cyberjaya, Selangor compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor – roughly 58% apart. Playa del Carmen costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Playa del Carmen compared to Cyberjaya, Selangor?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,930 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,223 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Playa del Carmen and Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Cyberjaya, Selangor, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Playa del Carmen and Cyberjaya, Selangor?
Kindergarten costs $198 per month in Playa del Carmen and $185 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 27% 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 Cyberjaya, Selangor, where all-in costs run around $815, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. In Cyberjaya, Selangor 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 Cyberjaya, Selangor?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $815 in Cyberjaya, Selangor to $1,287 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Playa del Carmen or Cyberjaya, Selangor safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Playa del Carmen and Cyberjaya, Selangor?
If budget matters most, go with Cyberjaya, Selangor. 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