๐A single person spends $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,545 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,181 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,241 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,065 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,937 in La Vall d'Uixรณ, rent included.
๐Playa del Carmen is about 16% cheaper than La Vall d'Uixรณ, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Playa del Carmen sits 3% below the global median, while La Vall d'Uixรณ is 15% above โ they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$17.51โฌ15.06
-33.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$720
$45.46โฌ39.10
-8.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$11.60โฌ9.98
-8.28%
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$60.9
$2.24โฌ1.92
57.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.12
$1.83โฌ1.57
-17.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.84
$1.56โฌ1.34
-37.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.0
$3.38โฌ2.91
-12.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.0
$2.74โฌ2.35
62.41%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.93
$1.12โฌ0.97
23.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.72
$1.86โฌ1.60
1.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.32
$1.29โฌ1.11
27.13%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.34
$3.14โฌ2.70
-20.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$13.57โฌ11.67
-38.54%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$6.86โฌ5.90
21.57%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
$15.55โฌ13.38
-31.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.04
$2.20โฌ1.90
18.18%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.20
$1.37โฌ1.18
6.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.87
$1.48โฌ1.27
28.38%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.91
$2.15โฌ1.85
-3.26%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.71
$1.14โฌ0.98
56.14%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.80
$1.68โฌ1.44
30.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$17.99
$1.35โฌ1.16
-22.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.62
$0.53โฌ0.46
103.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.6
$6.30โฌ5.42
-35.24%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$178
$4.61โฌ3.97
123.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.61
$0.86โฌ0.74
98.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.54
$1.46โฌ1.26
76.71%
๐ Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.81
$1.72โฌ1.48
-70.35%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$458
$34.36โฌ29.55
-22.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.4
$4.51โฌ3.88
-27.72%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.09
$0.97โฌ0.83
156.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.2
$34.61โฌ29.77
-90.61%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.61
$1.83โฌ1.58
-28.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$523.7K
$37.8Kโฌ32.5K
-19.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$405.3K
$35.7Kโฌ30.7K
-34.29%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,433
$106โฌ91.5
-22.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$384
$16.08โฌ13.84
38.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$507
$23.96โฌ20.61
22.45%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$893
$46.87โฌ40.31
10.16%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
$15.18โฌ13.06
20.69%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.6
$9.27โฌ7.98
-45.31%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,473
$420โฌ361
-52.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.1K
$6,937โฌ5,967
-24.87%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$639
$50.4โฌ43.34
-26.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$688
$32.89โฌ28.29
20.98%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,357
$75.5โฌ65.0
3.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,506
$74.5โฌ64.1
16.84%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.8K
$865โฌ744
12.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,090
$692โฌ596
-32.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$1,320โฌ1,136
24.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.1K
$1,001โฌ861
21.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.3K
$3,928โฌ3,379
0.46%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.4K
$2,516โฌ2,164
158.27%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
La Vall d'Uixรณ
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
3.5
226.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Last update for La Vall d'Uixรณ: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $865 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $45.00 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. Groceries tell a different story โ $249 in Playa del Carmen vs $240 in La Vall d'Uixรณ โ so La Vall d'Uixรณ wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 La Vall d'Uixรณ: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
La Vall d'Uixรณ costs about 19% more than Playa del Carmen, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,945 per month in Playa del Carmen and $2,318 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Playa del Carmen, 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Kindergarten costs $201 per month in Playa del Carmen and $420 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Interestingly, groceries are about 4% cheaper in La Vall d'Uixรณ โ one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,297, than in La Vall d'Uixรณ at $1,545. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in La Vall d'Uixรณ it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,297 versus $1,545 in La Vall d'Uixรณ. 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 La Vall d'Uixรณ?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or La Vall d'Uixรณ?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, La Vall d'Uixรณ makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared