😐A single person spends $1,266 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $289 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,279 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $443 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,292 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $597 in Kakinada, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 338% more than Kakinada, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Kakinada are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen7% lower, Kakinada79% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.60MX$200
$1.07₹102
984.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.11MX$812
$8.84₹849
432.92%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.88MX$205
$3.14₹301
278.34%
Cappuccino
$3.98MX$68.6
$0.50₹47.88
696.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43MX$24.60
$0.32₹30.93
346.87%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82MX$14.22
$0.09₹8.47
811.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.19MX$55.0
$1.02₹97.8
212.75%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.79MX$117
$2.29₹220
196.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.68MX$28.89
$0.55₹52.5
205.45%
White Bread(500g)
$2.20MX$37.88
$0.46₹43.80
378.26%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.71MX$29.45
$0.53₹51.1
222.64%
Eggs
$2.74MX$47.26
$0.73₹70.3
275.34%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.58MX$165
$3.99₹382
140.10%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$9.01MX$155
$2.49₹239
261.85%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.81MX$221
-
-
Apples(1kg)
$2.89MX$49.81
$1.81₹173
59.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$25.81
$0.72₹69.2
108.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.15MX$37.03
$0.73₹70.2
194.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.26MX$38.96
$0.44₹42.14
413.64%
Potato(1kg)
$1.98MX$34.15
$0.38₹36.75
421.05%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99MX$34.30
$0.34₹32.72
485.29%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.23MX$21.28
$0.61₹58.1
101.64%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.20MX$20.63
$0.30₹29.13
300.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.55MX$78.5
$4.12₹395
10.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.37MX$179
$7.26₹697
42.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.62MX$27.91
$1.84₹176
-11.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88MX$49.67
$3.00₹288
-4.00%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
-
$3.40₹326
-
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60MX$10.35
$0.30₹28.70
100.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$28.80MX$497
$11.33₹1,087
154.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.39MX$92.9
$1.18₹114
356.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.73MX$64.3
$0.19₹17.91
1863.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.77MX$99.5
$2.11₹202
173.46%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.54MX$26.48
$1.06₹102
45.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5KMX$388.8K
$15.9K₹1.5M
41.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.1KMX$449.3K
$20.2K₹1.9M
28.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$91.4MX$1,576
$32.68₹3,136
179.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.20MX$435
$3.18₹306
692.45%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.24MX$539
$5.14₹493
507.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$67.2MX$1,159
$15.53₹1,490
332.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.11MX$502
$2.12₹204
1273.11%
Cinema Ticket
$4.86MX$83.8
$2.13₹204
128.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$224MX$3,856
$27.92₹2,679
700.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,229MX$72.9K
$1,214₹116.5K
248.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$47.10MX$812
$9.25₹887
409.19%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.29MX$764
$7.97₹764
455.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.1MX$1,381
$15.47₹1,484
417.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$92.7MX$1,598
$13.22₹1,269
600.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,063MX$18.3K
$69.8₹6,697
1422.28%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$390MX$6,728
$56.3₹5,400
593.23%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,149MX$37.1K
$165₹15.9K
1198.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,272MX$21.9K
$114₹10.9K
1016.64%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,001MX$69.0K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,502MX$112.1K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Kakinada
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$758MX$13.1K
$529₹50.8K
43.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.45
9
27.22%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 12, 2026
Last update for Kakinada: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,063 in Playa del Carmen versus $69.8 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 43% 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 $47.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $9.00 in Kakinada. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $276 vs $96.0 – 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 338% 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 and in Kakinada?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,899 per month in Playa del Carmen and $434 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 in Kakinada?
Kindergarten costs $224 per month in Playa del Carmen and $27.92 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 in Kakinada?
Groceries cost about 189% 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 in Kakinada?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Kakinada, where all-in costs run around $289, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,266. 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 $289 versus $1,266 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 to 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