😐A single person spends $1,256 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $770 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,137 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,211 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,017 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,652 in Magallanes, Cavite, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 63% more than Magallanes, Cavite, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Magallanes, Cavite are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen6% lower, Magallanes, Cavite42% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.99MX$209
$3.50₱216
242.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.78MX$728
$18.02₱1,111
131.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.75MX$187
$3.28₱202
227.74%
Cappuccino
$3.50MX$60.9
$2.42₱149
44.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.45MX$25.22
$0.77₱47.65
88.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88MX$15.41
$0.37₱22.66
137.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.3
$1.30₱80.4
126.92%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.51MX$78.6
$2.12₱131
112.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43MX$24.94
$1.85₱114
-22.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.84MX$31.99
$1.21₱74.8
52.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57MX$27.31
$0.94₱58.2
67.02%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.74
$2.06₱127
21.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.28MX$144
$8.06₱497
2.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.43MX$147
$4.18₱258
101.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.68MX$186
$7.61₱469
40.34%
Apples(1kg)
$2.61MX$45.43
$2.98₱184
-12.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.44MX$25.04
$1.57₱96.9
-8.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.96MX$34.16
$2.71₱167
-27.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.09MX$36.47
$1.55₱95.4
34.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.85MX$32.24
$2.32₱143
-20.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17MX$37.74
$2.62₱162
-17.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03MX$17.96
$1.06₱65.6
-2.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.07MX$18.70
$0.71₱43.94
50.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.10MX$71.4
$2.83₱174
44.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.17MX$177
$8.76₱540
16.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$29.17
$1.17₱71.9
43.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53MX$43.98
$2.04₱126
24.02%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.87
$0.26₱15.97
96.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.04MX$453
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.3
$0.79₱48.63
308.86%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.41MX$41.88
$0.24₱14.86
904.17%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.23MX$56.2
$2.18₱135
48.17%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32MX$23.00
$1.09₱67.5
21.10%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7KMX$517.1K
$26.3K₱1.6M
12.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7KMX$412.0K
$20.3K₱1.3M
16.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.0MX$1,428
$113₱6,987
-27.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.95MX$400
$33.05₱2,038
-30.56%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.11MX$524
$27.58₱1,701
9.17%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$905
$33.30₱2,054
56.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.53MX$323
$4.54₱280
308.15%
Cinema Ticket
$4.98MX$86.6
$5.82₱359
-14.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$197MX$3,438
$149₱9,202
32.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,336MX$92.9K
$4,357₱268.7K
22.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.60MX$620
$45.35₱2,796
-21.50%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.33MX$702
$26.93₱1,661
49.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.8MX$1,371
$76.2₱4,702
3.29%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$88.9MX$1,549
$52.8₱3,258
68.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$947MX$16.5K
$262₱16.1K
262.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$474MX$8,254
$175₱10.8K
170.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,644MX$28.6K
$587₱36.2K
179.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,211MX$21.1K
$389₱24.0K
211.55%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,056MX$70.6K
$2,137₱131.8K
89.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,470MX$112.7K
$955₱58.9K
577.53%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Magallanes, Cavite
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$654MX$11.4K
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.67
71.21%
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 Magallanes, Cavite: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $947 in Playa del Carmen versus $262 in Magallanes, Cavite. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $18.00 in Magallanes, Cavite. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $249 vs $206 – making Magallanes, Cavite 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 Magallanes, Cavite: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Magallanes, Cavite?
Playa del Carmen costs about 63% more than Magallanes, Cavite, 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 Magallanes, Cavite?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,884 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,156 in Magallanes, Cavite. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Magallanes, Cavite?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Magallanes, Cavite, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Playa del Carmen and in Magallanes, Cavite?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen and $18.00 in Magallanes, Cavite. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Playa del Carmen or in Magallanes, Cavite?
Groceries cost about 21% 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 Magallanes, Cavite?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Magallanes, Cavite, where all-in costs run around $770, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,256. In Magallanes, Cavite 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 Magallanes, Cavite?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Magallanes, Cavite costs $770 versus $1,256 in Playa del Carmen. 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 Magallanes, Cavite?
If budget matters most, go with Magallanes, Cavite. 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