😐A single person spends $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $370 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,181 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $588 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,065 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $806 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 251% more than Kakinada, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Kakinada are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen3% lower, Kakinada72% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$1.71₹163
585.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$720
$11.85₹1,129
251.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$4.31₹411
146.87%
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$60.9
$3.92₹373
-10.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.12
$0.46₹43.67
228.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.84
$0.15₹13.90
546.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.0
$1.38₹132
113.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.0
$2.34₹223
90.17%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.93
$0.61₹58.5
126.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.72
$0.57₹53.8
231.58%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.32
$0.64₹61.3
156.25%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.34
$0.81₹77.4
209.88%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$4.39₹418
89.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$2.95₹281
182.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.04
$2.18₹208
19.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.20
$0.86₹82.0
69.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.87
$0.87₹83.0
118.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.91
$0.49₹46.41
324.49%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.71
$0.38₹36.07
368.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.80
$0.38₹36.59
476.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$17.99
$0.63₹60.4
65.08%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.62
$0.34₹32.35
217.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.6
$3.93₹374
3.82%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$178
$5.91₹563
74.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.61
$2.57₹244
-33.46%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.54
$3.20₹305
-19.38%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$4.18₹398
-
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.81
$0.36₹34.38
41.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$458
$8.92₹850
196.64%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.4
$1.32₹126
146.97%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.09
$0.23₹21.98
982.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.2
$2.39₹228
35.98%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.61
$1.28₹122
2.34%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$523.7K
$17.2K₹1.6M
76.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$405.3K
$22.5K₹2.1M
4.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,433
$27.91₹2,658
196.92%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$384
$2.72₹259
716.91%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$507
$5.73₹546
412.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$893
$15.82₹1,507
226.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
$6.91₹658
165.12%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.6
$2.34₹223
116.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,473
$30.40₹2,895
560.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.1K
$1,370₹130.5K
280.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$639
$10.43₹993
253.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$688
$8.70₹829
357.36%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,357
$17.18₹1,636
356.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,506
$14.68₹1,398
493.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.8K
$78.9₹7,513
1132.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,090
$76.9₹7,322
508.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$183₹17.5K
795.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.1K
$180₹17.2K
577.06%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.3K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.4K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
$518₹49.3K
28.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
9
26.89%
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 Kakinada: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $78.9 in Kakinada. 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 28% higher in Playa del Carmen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $12.00 in Kakinada. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $107 – making Kakinada 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 Kakinada: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
Playa del Carmen costs about 251% more than Kakinada, 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 Kakinada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,945 per month in Playa del Carmen and $554 in Kakinada. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Kakinada, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Playa del Carmen and Kakinada?
Kindergarten costs $201 per month in Playa del Carmen and $30.40 in Kakinada. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
Groceries cost about 133% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kakinada, where all-in costs run around $370, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Kakinada it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Kakinada costs $370 versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Playa del Carmen compared to Kakinada?
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.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or Kakinada?
If budget matters most, go with Kakinada. 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