😐A single person spends $1,297 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,255 in Starogard Gdanski, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,181 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $1,889 in Starogard Gdanski, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,065 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $2,522 in Starogard Gdanski, rent included.
😐Playa del Carmen costs about 3% more than Starogard Gdanski, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Playa del Carmen and Starogard Gdanski are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen3% lower, Starogard Gdanski6% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.73MX$203
$9.25zł 33.71
26.81%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$41.62MX$719
$48.65zł 177
-14.45%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.64MX$184
$7.46zł 27.21
42.63%
Cappuccino
$3.52MX$60.8
$2.43zł 8.85
44.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.51MX$26.09
$1.98zł 7.21
-23.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.97MX$16.82
$1.73zł 6.32
-43.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.95MX$51.0
$3.32zł 12.09
-11.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.45MX$77.0
$3.23zł 11.76
37.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38MX$23.90
$1.01zł 3.69
36.63%
White Bread(500g)
$1.89MX$32.69
$1.11zł 4.06
70.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MX$28.29
$1.48zł 5.39
10.81%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.30
$3.07zł 11.20
-18.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$9.29zł 33.87
-10.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.34MX$144
$6.64zł 24.21
25.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.73MX$185
$9.50zł 34.63
12.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60MX$45.00
$1.10zł 4.01
136.36%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46MX$25.18
$1.81zł 6.61
-19.34%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.90MX$32.84
$1.77zł 6.47
7.34%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.08MX$35.88
$2.45zł 8.94
-15.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.78MX$30.68
$0.95zł 3.47
87.37%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19MX$37.76
$1.10zł 4.02
99.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.04MX$17.97
$1.36zł 4.97
-23.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.08MX$18.60
$0.69zł 2.52
56.52%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.08MX$70.5
$5.05zł 18.41
-19.21%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.32MX$178
$5.56zł 20.29
85.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71MX$29.59
$1.11zł 4.05
54.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.58MX$44.50
$1.34zł 4.90
92.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.51MX$8.81
$1.11zł 4.04
-54.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$26.46MX$457
$33.05zł 121
-19.94%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.26MX$56.4
$1.71zł 6.25
90.64%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.49MX$43.05
$0.77zł 2.79
223.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.25MX$56.1
$11.02zł 40.17
-70.51%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MX$22.59
$1.70zł 6.18
-22.94%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3KMX$523.2K
$33.6Kzł 122.4K
-9.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.4KMX$404.9K
$32.2Kzł 117.4K
-27.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.9MX$1,432
$172zł 628
-51.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$22.22MX$384
$10.08zł 36.76
120.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.34MX$507
$17.98zł 65.6
63.18%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.6MX$892
$36.23zł 132
42.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.32MX$317
$19.47zł 71.0
-5.91%
Cinema Ticket
$5.07MX$87.5
$7.76zł 28.29
-34.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$201MX$3,470
$241zł 878
-16.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,212MX$90.1K
$6,699zł 24.4K
-22.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.92MX$638
$71.8zł 262
-48.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.79MX$688
$32.35zł 118
23.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.5MX$1,356
$88.0zł 321
-10.89%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$87.1MX$1,505
$75.6zł 276
15.18%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$973MX$16.8K
$658zł 2,400
47.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$468MX$8,082
$503zł 1,836
-7.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,641MX$28.4K
$966zł 3,523
69.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,221MX$21.1K
$818zł 2,983
49.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,946MX$68.2K
$1,551zł 5,654
154.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,498MX$112.3K
$1,374zł 5,010
372.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Playa del Carmen
Starogard Gdanski
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$664MX$11.5K
$1,303zł 4,751
-49.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.42
6.88
65.99%
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 Starogard Gdanski: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $973 in Playa del Carmen versus $658 in Starogard Gdanski. 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 96% higher in Starogard Gdanski, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $42.00 in Playa del Carmen versus $49.00 in Starogard Gdanski. Groceries tell a different story – $249 in Playa del Carmen vs $203 in Starogard Gdanski – so Starogard Gdanski wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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 Starogard Gdanski: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Starogard Gdanski cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 3%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,945 per month in Playa del Carmen and $1,883 in Starogard Gdanski. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Starogard Gdanski, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Playa del Carmen vs Starogard Gdanski?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,297 in Playa del Carmen and $1,255 in Starogard Gdanski. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 25% less in Starogard Gdanski. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Playa del Carmen or Starogard Gdanski?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Starogard Gdanski, where all-in costs run around $1,255, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Starogard Gdanski it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Playa del Carmen or Starogard Gdanski more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Starogard Gdanski – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Playa del Carmen or Starogard Gdanski?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Starogard Gdanski. 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