Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Playa del Carmen and Netanya

For one person, living is cheaper in Playa del Carmen: $1,215 a month against $2,585 in Netanya, rent and utilities included – about $16,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,215
/mo nomad
Netanya
🇮🇱 Israel
$2,585
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Playa del Carmen and in Netanya

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Playa del Carmen and in Netanya actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,215 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,585 in Netanya, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $1,215
  • Netanya $2,585

A couple spends around $2,144 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $3,952 in Netanya, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $2,144
  • Netanya $3,952

A family of three spends $3,072 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $5,319 in Netanya, rent included.

  • Playa del Carmen $3,072
  • Netanya $5,319

Playa del Carmen is about 53% cheaper than Netanya, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Playa del Carmen sits 9% below the global median, while Netanya is 93% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$10.97 MX$201
$22.73 ₪69.6
-51.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.85 MX$823
$97.5 ₪298
-54.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.92 MX$219
$19.38 ₪59.3
-38.49%
Cappuccino
$3.80 MX$69.9
$4.74 ₪14.49
-19.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 MX$24.08
$3.09 ₪9.45
-57.61%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 MX$15.72
$2.36 ₪7.21
-63.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.21 MX$59.0
$10.69 ₪32.70
-69.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.01 MX$92.0
$9.77 ₪29.91
-48.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.46 MX$26.77
$2.32 ₪7.11
-37.07%
White Bread (500g)
$2.33 MX$42.72
$2.35 ₪7.18
-0.85%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.44 MX$26.48
$2.36 ₪7.21
-38.98%
Eggs
$2.46 MX$45.20
$5.09 ₪15.56
-51.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.70 MX$141
$17.30 ₪52.9
-55.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.89 MX$145
$12.88 ₪39.42
-38.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.80 MX$235
$24.02 ₪73.5
-46.71%
Apples (1kg)
$2.92 MX$53.6
$4.42 ₪13.53
-33.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.42 MX$26.11
$2.98 ₪9.11
-52.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.57 MX$47.10
$2.32 ₪7.09
10.78%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.14 MX$39.24
$2.53 ₪7.73
-15.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.95 MX$35.75
$1.70 ₪5.21
14.71%
Onion (1kg)
$1.94 MX$35.55
$1.38 ₪4.21
40.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.15 MX$21.13
$2.39 ₪7.30
-51.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 MX$22.42
$0.99 ₪3.03
23.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.38 MX$80.3
$13.19 ₪40.35
-66.79%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.85 MX$181
$11.25 ₪34.42
-12.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54 MX$28.23
$2.82 ₪8.64
-45.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 MX$49.86
$2.54 ₪7.76
7.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.52 MX$9.64
$2.57 ₪7.86
-79.77%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.42 MX$503
$72.3 ₪221
-62.09%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.91 MX$90.2
$2.57 ₪7.87
91.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.52 MX$64.7
$1.21 ₪3.72
190.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.69 MX$104
$37.35 ₪114
-84.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.54 MX$28.27
$2.59 ₪7.92
-40.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K MX$389.9K
$58.0K ₪177.6K
-63.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.5K MX$449.6K
$58.6K ₪179.3K
-58.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.6 MX$1,535
$263 ₪805
-68.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.03 MX$441
$11.53 ₪35.29
108.41%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.33 MX$539
$36.47 ₪112
-19.58%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$64.9 MX$1,191
$78.8 ₪241
-17.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$29.46 MX$541
$19.85 ₪60.8
48.41%
Cinema Ticket
$5.09 MX$93.4
$13.05 ₪39.92
-61.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$208 MX$3,813
$1,174 ₪3,593
-82.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,045 MX$74.3K
$24.3K ₪74.3K
-83.34%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.55 MX$818
$38.31 ₪117
16.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.06 MX$772
$41.03 ₪126
2.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.5 MX$1,387
$97.0 ₪297
-22.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.4 MX$1,678
$117 ₪358
-21.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$986 MX$18.1K
$1,591 ₪4,867
-37.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$385 MX$7,072
$1,181 ₪3,613
-67.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,713 MX$31.5K
$2,525 ₪7,726
-32.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,108 MX$20.4K
$2,109 ₪6,453
-47.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,016 MX$73.7K
$7,858 ₪24.0K
-48.89%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,247 MX$114.7K
$10.0K ₪30.7K
-37.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Netanya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$758 MX$13.9K
$3,281 ₪10.0K
-76.90%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.45
5.04
127.18%

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

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 4, 2026

Last update for Netanya: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
$385
Netanya
$1.2K 207% $796
Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
$260
Netanya
$398 52.8% $137
Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
$204
Netanya
$392 92% $188
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
$137
Netanya
$311 127% $174
Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
$114
Netanya
$132 15.7% $18
Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
$75
Netanya
$105 39.8% $30
Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
$52
Netanya
$91 75.3% $39

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $986 in Playa del Carmen versus $1,591 in Netanya. 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 333% higher in Netanya, 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 $45.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $97.0 in Netanya. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $260 vs $398 – making Playa del Carmen the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🇮🇱 Netanya
🕒 Local time
09:27 9:27 AM
17:27 5:27 PM
8 h ahead of Playa del Carmen
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
149,923
245,454
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

ILS, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 18.36 MXN (100 MXN = 5.45 USD). 1 EUR = 20.57 MXN (100 MXN = 4.86 EUR).

Israeli New Shekel exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 3.06 ILS (1 ILS = 0.327 USD). 1 EUR = 3.43 ILS (1 ILS = 0.292 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Playa del Carmen Netanya 11,490 km ≈ 15 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Playa del Carmen
  • Netanya

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Netanya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Playa del Carmen or Netanya?
Netanya costs about 113% more than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from 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 Netanya?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,823 per month in Playa del Carmen and $3,877 in Netanya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Playa del Carmen or Netanya?
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 in Netanya?
Kindergarten costs $208 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,174 in Netanya. 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 in Netanya?
Groceries cost about 53% more in Netanya, 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 $1,500/month in Playa del Carmen or in Netanya?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Playa del Carmen, where all-in costs run around $1,215, than in Netanya at $2,585. In Playa del Carmen it covers expenses comfortably, while in Netanya it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Playa del Carmen or Netanya?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Playa del Carmen costs $1,215 versus $2,585 in Netanya. 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 Netanya?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Playa del Carmen or to Netanya?
If budget matters most, go with Playa del Carmen. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Netanya makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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