🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,261 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,375 in Killeen, TX.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,130 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,308 in Killeen, TX.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,999 in Playa del Carmen versus $4,241 in Killeen, TX.
🙂Living in Playa del Carmen costs roughly 47% less than in Killeen, TX, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Playa del Carmen is 6% below, Killeen, TX is 77% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.67MX$202
$20.39$20.39
-42.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.88MX$726
$71.0$71.0
-41.01%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.40MX$180
$12.05$12.05
-13.69%
Cappuccino
$3.61MX$62.6
$5.34$5.34
-32.40%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47MX$25.45
$2.33$2.33
-36.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91MX$15.80
$1.81$1.81
-49.72%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.03MX$52.6
$4.64$4.64
-34.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.47MX$77.4
$4.86$4.86
-8.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.83
$0.96$0.96
43.75%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.93
$1.63$1.63
12.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.61MX$27.82
$3.49$3.49
-53.87%
Eggs
$2.57MX$44.52
$3.89$3.89
-33.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$10.06$10.06
-15.61%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.49MX$147
$14.24$14.24
-40.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.99MX$190
$12.30$12.30
-10.65%
Apples(1kg)
$2.73MX$47.25
$3.19$3.19
-14.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50MX$25.92
$1.01$1.01
48.51%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.93
$3.92$3.92
-50.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.12MX$36.70
$2.96$2.96
-28.38%
Potato(1kg)
$1.86MX$32.30
$2.21$2.21
-15.84%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.67
$2.79$2.79
-22.22%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07MX$18.59
$1.59$1.59
-32.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05MX$18.18
$1.49$1.49
-29.53%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.19MX$72.6
$6.13$6.13
-31.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.28MX$178
$11.09$11.09
-7.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67MX$28.87
$2.07$2.07
-19.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49MX$43.12
$1.79$1.79
39.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.54MX$9.37
$2.02$2.02
-73.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.27MX$455
$24.70$24.70
6.36%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.10MX$53.8
$2.96$2.96
4.73%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.46MX$42.66
$1.81$1.81
35.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.24MX$56.1
$24.35$24.35
-86.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26MX$21.83
$0.76$0.76
65.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KMX$522.8K
$36.7K$36.7K
-17.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$406.3K
$24.6K$24.6K
-4.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.0MX$1,456
$211$211
-60.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.21MX$385
$57.7$57.7
-61.53%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.65MX$514
$70.6$70.6
-57.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.6MX$912
$22.99$22.99
128.97%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.34MX$318
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.95MX$85.7
$12.68$12.68
-60.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$198MX$3,438
$1,141$1,141
-82.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,322MX$92.2K
$26.3K$26.3K
-79.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.95MX$623
$56.2$56.2
-36.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.06MX$694
$20.32$20.32
97.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,365
$68.8$68.8
14.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5MX$1,499
$68.1$68.1
26.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$977MX$16.9K
$1,184$1,184
-17.54%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$471MX$8,158
$1,155$1,155
-59.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,595MX$27.6K
$1,743$1,743
-8.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,215MX$21.1K
$1,760$1,760
-30.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,032MX$69.9K
$1,759$1,759
129.22%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,579MX$114.0K
$1,792$1,792
267.22%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Killeen, TX
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$714MX$12.4K
$3,250$3,250
-78.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.36
79.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 19, 2026
Last update for Killeen, TX: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $977 in Playa del Carmen and $1,184 in Killeen, TX. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Killeen, TX pays 355% 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 in Playa del Carmen vs $71 in Killeen, TX for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $252 vs $319 per month, with Playa del Carmen 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 Killeen, TX: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX?
Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX differ by about 88% in total monthly costs ($1,261 vs $2,375 including rent). Playa del Carmen is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Killeen, TX earns 355% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX?
Rent for a central apartment: $977 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,184 in Killeen, TX. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 6% less than in Killeen, TX. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX?
Childcare runs $198 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,141 in Killeen, TX. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $1,261 in Playa del Carmen versus $2,375 in Killeen, TX, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Killeen, TX. The gap between the two cities makes Playa del Carmen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Playa del Carmen and Killeen, TX?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Where should expats move: Playa del Carmen or Killeen, TX?
Expats usually find Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 88% less than in Killeen, TX. 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