Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Nassau Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Nassau

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,271 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,755 in Nassau.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,126 in Playa del Carmen versus $6,117 in Nassau.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,980 in Playa del Carmen versus $8,478 in Nassau.

Living in Playa del Carmen costs roughly 66% less than in Nassau, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Playa del Carmen is 5% below, Nassau is 179% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.87 MX$204
$39.34 BSD 39.34
-69.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$42.90 MX$736
$199 BSD 199
-78.43%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.65 MX$183
$11.53 BSD 11.53
-7.63%
Cappuccino
$3.45 MX$59.2
$5.60 BSD 5.60
-38.39%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50 MX$25.81
$2.24 BSD 2.24
-33.04%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.95 MX$16.28
$1.71 BSD 1.71
-44.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.03 MX$51.9
$4.88 BSD 4.88
-37.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.61 MX$79.1
$7.59 BSD 7.59
-39.26%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.38 MX$23.61
$4.84 BSD 4.84
-71.49%
White Bread (500g)
$1.85 MX$31.70
$5.93 BSD 5.93
-68.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.61 MX$27.65
$6.36 BSD 6.36
-74.69%
Eggs
$2.59 MX$44.51
$7.41 BSD 7.41
-65.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.26 MX$142
$8.31 BSD 8.31
-0.60%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.37 MX$144
$12.27 BSD 12.27
-31.78%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.66 MX$183
$20.99 BSD 20.99
-49.21%
Apples (1kg)
$2.63 MX$45.12
$5.40 BSD 5.40
-51.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 MX$25.53
$3.35 BSD 3.35
-55.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.92 MX$32.94
$4.83 BSD 4.83
-60.25%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.09 MX$35.81
$7.03 BSD 7.03
-70.27%
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 MX$31.88
$4.91 BSD 4.91
-62.12%
Onion (1kg)
$2.26 MX$38.81
$4.44 BSD 4.44
-49.10%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 MX$18.23
$3.52 BSD 3.52
-69.89%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.09 MX$18.67
$3.04 BSD 3.04
-64.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.15 MX$71.2
$13.77 BSD 13.77
-69.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$10.39 MX$178
$33.61 BSD 33.61
-69.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 MX$29.59
$3.82 BSD 3.82
-54.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 MX$44.85
$4.42 BSD 4.42
-40.95%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.54 MX$9.30
$1.36 BSD 1.36
-60.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$26.94 MX$462
$44.37 BSD 44.37
-39.28%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.13 MX$53.7
$5.91 BSD 5.91
-47.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.51 MX$43.09
$3.07 BSD 3.07
-18.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.15 MX$54.1
$101 BSD 101
-96.88%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.27 MX$21.88
$1.46 BSD 1.46
-13.01%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K MX$521.3K
$36.9K BSD 36.9K
-17.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.6K MX$404.5K
$42.2K BSD 42.2K
-44.09%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.0 MX$1,425
$306 BSD 306
-72.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.71 MX$390
$72.9 BSD 72.9
-68.85%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.46 MX$506
$101 BSD 101
-70.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.0 MX$875
$134 BSD 134
-61.95%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.33 MX$315
$60.4 BSD 60.4
-69.64%
Cinema Ticket
$4.93 MX$84.5
$19.96 BSD 19.96
-75.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$197 MX$3,386
$705 BSD 705
-72.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,280 MX$90.6K
$15.0K BSD 15.0K
-64.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.90 MX$633
$63.7 BSD 63.7
-42.06%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.89 MX$685
$75.4 BSD 75.4
-47.07%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.0 MX$1,373
$114 BSD 114
-29.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.5 MX$1,536
$129 BSD 129
-30.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$956 MX$16.4K
$1,869 BSD 1,869
-48.84%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$477 MX$8,189
$1,768 BSD 1,768
-73.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,646 MX$28.3K
$3,746 BSD 3,746
-56.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,225 MX$21.0K
$3,627 BSD 3,627
-66.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,918 MX$67.2K
$4,174 BSD 4,174
-6.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,459 MX$110.9K
$3,335 BSD 3,335
93.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Nassau
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$667 MX$11.4K
$3,318 BSD 3,318
-79.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.42
7.05
61.99%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026

Last update for Nassau: June 7, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $956 in Playa del Carmen and $1,869 in Nassau. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Nassau pays 397% 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: $43.00 in Playa del Carmen vs $199 in Nassau for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $250 vs $583 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 Nassau: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nassau cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 196% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Playa del Carmen or Nassau?
On paper, Nassau earns 397% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Playa del Carmen and Nassau?
Rent for a central apartment: $956 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,869 in Nassau. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Playa del Carmen vs Nassau?
All in, you'll spend $1,271 per month in Playa del Carmen versus $3,755 in Nassau – a 196% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Playa del Carmen runs roughly 65% less than in Nassau. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Playa del Carmen or Nassau?
At $1,271 in Playa del Carmen versus $3,755 in Nassau, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Playa del Carmen but tight or insufficient in Nassau. The gap between the two cities makes Playa del Carmen the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Playa del Carmen or Nassau more family-friendly?
For families, Playa del Carmen is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Nassau, 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 Playa del Carmen gentler on the wallet – expenses run 196% less than in Nassau. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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