😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $901 in Khartoum.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,181 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,390 in Khartoum.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,065 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,880 in Khartoum.
😐Living in Playa del Carmen is roughly 44% more expensive than Khartoum, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Playa del Carmen3% lower, Khartoum33% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$7.55SDG 4,521
55.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$721
$33.55SDG 20.1K
24.05%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$7.86SDG 4,706
35.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.04SDG 1,218
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.41SDG 2,042
-
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$61.0
$2.37SDG 1,418
48.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.17
$0.58SDG 349
160.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.87
$0.40SDG 240
142.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.1
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.2
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.97
$1.59SDG 955
-13.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.78
$1.32SDG 787
43.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.37
$3.39SDG 2,027
-51.62%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.42
$2.82SDG 1,686
-10.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$14.75SDG 8,830
-43.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$6.35SDG 3,801
31.34%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
$7.00SDG 4,188
53.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.12
$4.89SDG 2,926
-46.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.25
$1.24SDG 741
17.74%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.94
$2.53SDG 1,514
-24.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.98
$1.86SDG 1,114
11.83%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.77
$1.35SDG 806
31.85%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.87
$1.02SDG 611
114.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$18.02
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.66
$0.65SDG 389
66.15%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$4.02SDG 2,405
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.95SDG 2,363
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.7
$1.49SDG 889
173.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$179
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.67
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.63
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.83
$0.68SDG 406
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$459
$24.82SDG 14.9K
6.61%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.5
$3.40SDG 2,032
-4.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.17
$1.02SDG 611
144.12%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.3
$10.14SDG 6,066
-67.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.65
$1.37SDG 819
-4.38%
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
$16.5KSDG 9.9M
42.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,436
$52.6SDG 31.5K
57.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$385
$9.35SDG 5,594
137.65%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$508
$70.6SDG 42.2K
-58.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$895
$32.99SDG 19.7K
56.50%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.8
$3.89SDG 2,331
30.33%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,480
$88.6SDG 53.1K
126.55%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.3K
$1,850SDG 1.1M
181.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$640
$14.77SDG 8,841
149.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$689
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,360
$55.4SDG 33.1K
41.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,509
$53.4SDG 32.0K
63.00%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.9K
$628SDG 375.9K
54.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,105
$293SDG 175.4K
59.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$1,243SDG 743.7K
32.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.2K
$501SDG 300.0K
143.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.4K
$2,145SDG 1.3M
83.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.6K
$1,249SDG 747.4K
420.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Khartoum
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
$196SDG 117.1K
239.27%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
26
-56.08%
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 Khartoum: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $973 in Playa del Carmen and $628 in Khartoum. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 239% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $42.00 in Playa del Carmen vs $34.00 in Khartoum for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $249 vs $216 per month, with Khartoum cheaper across the board.
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 Khartoum: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Khartoum cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Khartoum is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 44% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Playa del Carmen or Khartoum?
Playa del Carmen pays 239% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Playa del Carmen and Khartoum?
Rent for a central apartment: $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $628 in Khartoum. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Playa del Carmen or Khartoum?
Dining out is cheaper in Khartoum – a meal for two runs $34.00 versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Playa del Carmen vs Khartoum?
All in, you'll spend $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen versus $901 in Khartoum – a 44% 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 Khartoum?
At $901 in Khartoum versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Khartoum but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Khartoum the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or Khartoum more family-friendly?
For families, Khartoum 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Khartoum gentler on the wallet – expenses run 44% 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