😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,297 in Playa del Carmen versus $414 in Multan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,181 in Playa del Carmen versus $613 in Multan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,065 in Playa del Carmen versus $812 in Multan.
😐Living in Playa del Carmen is roughly 213% more expensive than Multan, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Playa del Carmen3% lower, Multan69% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$2.18PKR 606
438.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$721
$8.58PKR 2,386
385.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$5.19PKR 1,443
105.01%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$1.72PKR 478
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.20PKR 891
-
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$61.0
$1.43PKR 398
146.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.17
$0.28PKR 77.0
439.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.87
$0.20PKR 54.9
385.00%
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
Multan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.97
$0.58PKR 163
137.93%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.78
$0.60PKR 168
215.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.37
$1.04PKR 290
57.69%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.42
$1.08PKR 300
132.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$4.93PKR 1,371
69.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$145
$2.57PKR 716
224.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$186
$3.03PKR 842
254.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.12
$1.01PKR 282
157.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.25
$0.68PKR 188
114.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.94
$0.58PKR 160
227.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.98
$0.51PKR 143
307.84%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.77
$0.38PKR 104
368.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.87
$0.43PKR 119
409.30%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$18.02
$0.57PKR 157
82.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.66
$0.36PKR 99.4
200.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
-
$1.85PKR 515
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.54PKR 428
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.94PKR 539
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.7
$1.97PKR 549
107.11%
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
Multan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.83
$0.17PKR 47.97
200.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$459
$7.26PKR 2,019
264.46%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.5
$1.03PKR 286
216.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.17
$0.31PKR 85.4
703.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.3
$1.38PKR 384
135.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.65
$0.95PKR 266
37.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$524.7K
$22.4KPKR 6.2M
35.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$406.0K
$21.9KPKR 6.1M
6.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,436
$103PKR 28.6K
-19.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$385
$4.84PKR 1,347
359.09%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$508
$13.62PKR 3,790
115.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$895
$17.96PKR 4,997
187.47%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
$12.52PKR 3,484
46.33%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.8
$2.64PKR 734
92.05%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,480
$36.00PKR 10.0K
457.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.3K
$1,755PKR 488.2K
196.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$640
$16.34PKR 4,547
125.95%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$689
$27.87PKR 7,752
42.77%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,360
$70.9PKR 19.7K
10.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,509
$29.24PKR 8,135
197.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.9K
$85.3PKR 23.7K
1039.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,105
$58.6PKR 16.3K
697.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$178PKR 49.4K
823.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.2K
$126PKR 34.9K
872.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.4K
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.6K
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Multan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
$180PKR 50.0K
269.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
17.43
-34.48%
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 Multan: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $973 in Playa del Carmen and $85.3 in Multan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Playa del Carmen pays 270% 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 $9.00 in Multan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $249 vs $80.0 per month, with Multan 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 Multan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Multan cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Multan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 213% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Playa del Carmen or Multan?
Playa del Carmen pays 270% 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 Multan?
Rent for a central apartment: $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $85.3 in Multan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $201 in Playa del Carmen versus $36.00 in Multan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Playa del Carmen and Multan?
Supermarket bills run roughly 213% higher in Playa del Carmen. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Playa del Carmen or Multan?
At $414 in Multan versus $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Multan but tight or insufficient in Playa del Carmen. The gap between the two cities makes Multan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or Multan more family-friendly?
For families, Multan 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 Multan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 213% 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