🙂A single person spends $1,256 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,322 in Lawrenceville, GA, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $2,137 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $3,362 in Lawrenceville, GA, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $3,017 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $4,402 in Lawrenceville, GA, rent included.
🙂Playa del Carmen is about 46% cheaper than Lawrenceville, GA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Playa del Carmen sits 6% below the global median, while Lawrenceville, GA is 74% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.99MX$209
$18.28$18.28
-34.41%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.78MX$728
$60.7$60.7
-31.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.75MX$187
$8.62$8.62
24.71%
Cappuccino
$3.50MX$60.9
$5.63$5.63
-37.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45MX$25.22
$2.10$2.10
-30.95%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88MX$15.41
$2.08$2.08
-57.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.3
$6.14$6.14
-51.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51MX$78.6
$4.15$4.15
8.67%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43MX$24.94
$0.81$0.81
76.54%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.99
$3.59$3.59
-48.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57MX$27.31
$3.84$3.84
-59.11%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.74
$1.96$1.96
28.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.28MX$144
$8.58$8.58
-3.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$147
$6.55$6.55
28.70%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.68MX$186
$14.62$14.62
-26.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61MX$45.43
$2.16$2.16
20.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44MX$25.04
$1.24$1.24
16.13%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$34.16
$7.40$7.40
-73.51%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.09MX$36.47
$4.07$4.07
-48.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.85MX$32.24
$2.52$2.52
-26.59%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.74
$2.81$2.81
-22.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03MX$17.96
$1.84$1.84
-44.02%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MX$18.70
$0.69$0.69
55.07%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10MX$71.4
$6.69$6.69
-38.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.17MX$177
$14.21$14.21
-28.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$29.17
$2.18$2.18
-22.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53MX$43.98
$3.60$3.60
-29.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.87
$5.02$5.02
-89.84%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.04MX$453
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.3
$3.95$3.95
-18.23%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.41MX$41.88
$1.75$1.75
37.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.2
$30.60$30.60
-89.44%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32MX$23.00
$0.81$0.81
62.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7KMX$517.1K
$16.1K$16.1K
84.10%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KMX$412.0K
$25.2K$25.2K
-5.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.0MX$1,428
$155$155
-47.03%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.95MX$400
$47.03$47.03
-51.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.11MX$524
$55.3$55.3
-45.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$905
$81.3$81.3
-36.04%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.53MX$323
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.98MX$86.6
$13.30$13.30
-62.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$197MX$3,438
$1,230$1,230
-83.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,336MX$92.9K
$18.6K$18.6K
-71.28%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.60MX$620
$37.47$37.47
-4.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33MX$702
$27.46$27.46
46.87%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,371
$83.6$83.6
-5.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9MX$1,549
$96.1$96.1
-7.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$947MX$16.5K
$1,555$1,555
-39.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474MX$8,254
$1,202$1,202
-60.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,644MX$28.6K
$2,323$2,323
-29.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,211MX$21.1K
$1,938$1,938
-37.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,056MX$70.6K
$3,788$3,788
7.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,470MX$112.7K
$2,720$2,720
137.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Lawrenceville, GA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$654MX$11.4K
$4,454$4,454
-85.32%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.49
75.96%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 13, 2026
Last update for Lawrenceville, GA: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $947 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,555 in Lawrenceville, GA. 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 581% higher in Lawrenceville, GA, 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 $61.0 in Lawrenceville, GA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $313 – making Playa del Carmen 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 Lawrenceville, GA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Lawrenceville, GA?
Lawrenceville, GA costs about 85% 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 and in Lawrenceville, GA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,884 per month in Playa del Carmen and $3,483 in Lawrenceville, GA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Lawrenceville, GA?
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 much does it cost to live in Playa del Carmen compared to Lawrenceville, GA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,256 in Playa del Carmen and $2,322 in Lawrenceville, GA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Playa del Carmen and in Lawrenceville, GA?
Kindergarten costs $197 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,230 in Lawrenceville, GA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or in Lawrenceville, GA?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,256, than in Lawrenceville, GA at $2,322. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Lawrenceville, GA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Lawrenceville, GA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,256 versus $2,322 in Lawrenceville, GA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or to Lawrenceville, GA?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Lawrenceville, GA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Playa del Carmen vs other spots: cost of living compared