😐A single person spends $1,330 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $825 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,336 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,213 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,341 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,601 in Cyberjaya, Selangor, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 61% 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 Carmen3% lower, Cyberjaya, Selangor40% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.02MX$221
$2.78MYR 11.24
368.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.25MX$784
$17.09MYR 69.0
170.63%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.59MX$213
$4.80MYR 19.39
162.29%
Cappuccino
$4.00MX$67.9
$1.67MYR 6.75
139.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.42MX$24.08
$0.74MYR 3.01
91.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81MX$13.73
$0.26MYR 1.05
211.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.05MX$51.7
$2.03MYR 8.20
50.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.82MX$116
$3.74MYR 15.11
82.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71MX$29.04
$1.67MYR 6.76
2.40%
White Bread(500g)
$2.22MX$37.62
$1.03MYR 4.17
115.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.72MX$29.13
$1.45MYR 5.85
18.62%
Eggs
$2.71MX$45.99
$1.34MYR 5.42
102.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.37MX$159
$11.62MYR 46.93
-19.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.86MX$150
$3.43MYR 13.87
158.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.78MX$217
$3.63MYR 14.68
252.07%
Apples(1kg)
$3.13MX$53.0
$2.47MYR 9.98
26.72%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55MX$26.24
$1.58MYR 6.39
-1.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15MX$36.51
$1.88MYR 7.62
14.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.35MX$39.89
$1.00MYR 4.06
135.00%
Potato(1kg)
$2.02MX$34.23
$0.81MYR 3.28
149.38%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99MX$33.67
$0.93MYR 3.74
113.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.24MX$21.09
$0.97MYR 3.91
27.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19MX$20.21
$0.51MYR 2.04
133.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.65MX$78.8
$4.11MYR 16.61
13.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.47MX$177
$14.13MYR 57.1
-25.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.58MX$26.82
$2.02MYR 8.16
-21.78%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92MX$49.48
$1.98MYR 8.02
47.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.56MX$9.53
$0.96MYR 3.89
-41.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$29.76MX$504
$12.52MYR 50.6
137.70%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.32MX$90.2
$0.75MYR 3.04
609.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.72MX$63.0
$0.76MYR 3.06
389.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.78MX$97.9
$9.84MYR 39.74
-41.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.55MX$26.27
$0.54MYR 2.20
187.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.4KMX$379.1K
$40.9KMYR 165.4K
-45.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.6KMX$433.3K
$34.6KMYR 140.0K
-26.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$89.3MX$1,513
$53.2MYR 215
67.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$23.30MX$395
$8.25MYR 33.32
182.42%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.72MX$538
$24.65MYR 99.6
28.68%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.8MX$1,165
$54.5MYR 220
26.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.40MX$498
$10.93MYR 44.14
168.98%
Cinema Ticket
$5.06MX$85.7
$4.92MYR 19.86
2.85%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$222MX$3,765
$166MYR 672
33.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,293MX$72.7K
$2,449MYR 9,894
75.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.21MX$783
$66.1MYR 267
-30.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.43MX$753
$16.39MYR 66.2
171.08%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.5MX$1,618
$82.1MYR 332
16.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.5MX$1,568
$40.17MYR 162
130.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,069MX$18.1K
$351MYR 1,419
204.35%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393MX$6,663
$292MYR 1,178
34.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,988MX$33.7K
$531MYR 2,144
274.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,304MX$22.1K
$438MYR 1,770
197.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,037MX$68.4K
$859MYR 3,470
370.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,627MX$112.3K
$800MYR 3,232
728.30%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Cyberjaya, Selangor
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$747MX$12.7K
$1,753MYR 7,082
-57.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.6
4.06
185.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: August 18, 2026
Last update for Cyberjaya, Selangor: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,069 in Playa del Carmen versus $351 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 135% 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 $46.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $17.00 in Cyberjaya, Selangor. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $277 vs $192 – 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 in Cyberjaya, Selangor compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,330 in Playa del Carmen, $825 in Cyberjaya, Selangor – roughly 61% 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 $1,995 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,238 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 $222 per month in Playa del Carmen and $166 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 44% 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 $825, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,330. 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 $825 in Cyberjaya, Selangor to $1,330 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