😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $610 in Egilsstadir.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,181 in Playa del Carmen versus $998 in Egilsstadir.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,065 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,385 in Egilsstadir.
😐Living in Playa del Carmen is roughly 112% more expensive than Egilsstadir, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Playa del Carmen3% lower, Egilsstadir54% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
-
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$721
-
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$61.0
-
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.17
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.87
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.2
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-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.97
$1.70ISK 210
-18.82%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.78
$2.81ISK 346
-32.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.37
$2.35ISK 290
-30.21%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.42
$5.69ISK 701
-55.89%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$21.65ISK 2,666
-61.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$31.15ISK 3,836
-73.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
$43.53ISK 5,361
-75.35%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.12
$2.61ISK 322
-0.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.25
$2.47ISK 305
-40.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.94
$2.42ISK 298
-21.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.98
$3.73ISK 460
-44.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.77
$4.45ISK 548
-60.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.87
$2.08ISK 256
5.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$18.02
$2.16ISK 266
-51.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.66
$2.22ISK 274
-51.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.7
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$179
$21.56ISK 2,655
-52.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.67
$3.82ISK 470
-55.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.63
$3.28ISK 405
-21.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.83
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$459
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.5
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.17
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.3
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.65
$2.56ISK 316
-48.83%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$524.7K
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$406.0K
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,436
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$385
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$508
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$895
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.8
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,480
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.3K
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$640
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$689
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,360
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,509
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.9K
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,105
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.2K
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Egilsstadir
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 Egilsstadir: May 31, 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 Egilsstadir: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Egilsstadir cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Egilsstadir is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 112% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,945 in Playa del Carmen and $915 in Egilsstadir to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do food prices compare in Playa del Carmen and Egilsstadir?
Shoppers in Playa del Carmen pay roughly 143% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
What are total monthly expenses in Playa del Carmen vs Egilsstadir?
All in, you'll spend $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen versus $610 in Egilsstadir – a 112% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Playa del Carmen or Egilsstadir?
At $610 in Egilsstadir versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Egilsstadir but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Egilsstadir the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or Egilsstadir more family-friendly?
For families, Egilsstadir is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Playa del Carmen, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Playa del Carmen or Egilsstadir?
Safety-wise, Playa del Carmen and Egilsstadir are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Egilsstadir gentler on the wallet – expenses run 112% less than in Playa del Carmen. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared