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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,260 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $110 in Zimba, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,125 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $172 in Zimba, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,990 per month in Playa del Carmen vs $234 in Zimba, rent included.

Playa del Carmen costs about 1049% more than Zimba, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Playa del Carmen and Zimba are more affordable than the global median – Playa del Carmen 5% lower, Zimba 92% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.72 MX$203

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.89 MX$725

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.51 MX$182

$2.45 ZMW 45.74

328.98%

Cappuccino

$3.59 MX$62.0

$1.26 ZMW 23.42

184.92%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.51 MX$26.10

$0.64 ZMW 11.97

135.94%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.92 MX$15.83

$0.28 ZMW 5.20

228.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.96 MX$51.2

$0.60 ZMW 11.23

393.33%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.41 MX$76.3

$0.85 ZMW 15.78

418.82%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.40 MX$24.16

White Bread (500g)

$1.88 MX$32.60

$0.81 ZMW 15.12

132.10%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 MX$26.97

$1.26 ZMW 23.48

23.81%

Eggs

$2.61 MX$45.14

$1.05 ZMW 19.67

148.57%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.32 MX$144

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.35 MX$145

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.86 MX$188

$2.95 ZMW 55.0

268.14%

Apples (1kg)

$2.71 MX$46.93

$1.42 ZMW 26.52

90.85%

Banana (1kg)

$1.51 MX$26.04

$1.20 ZMW 22.47

25.83%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 MX$32.41

$2.56 ZMW 47.72

-26.95%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.19 MX$37.89

$0.64 ZMW 11.88

242.19%

Potato (1kg)

$1.86 MX$32.14

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 MX$38.59

$0.60 ZMW 11.27

271.67%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 MX$18.48

$0.72 ZMW 13.46

48.61%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.09 MX$18.79

$0.43 ZMW 7.97

153.49%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.19 MX$72.4

Wine (Bottle)

$10.43 MX$180

$6.38 ZMW 119

63.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.66 MX$28.68

$0.63 ZMW 11.79

163.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.61 MX$45.19

$0.82 ZMW 15.27

218.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.54 MX$9.37

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.16 MX$453

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 MX$53.3

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.40 MX$41.61

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.13 MX$54.1

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.31 MX$22.69

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$29.8K MX$515.7K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$23.3K MX$403.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$81.3 MX$1,406

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$22.56 MX$390

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.05 MX$520

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.9 MX$915

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.39 MX$318

Cinema Ticket

$4.92 MX$85.1

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$201 MX$3,474

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,175 MX$89.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.92 MX$622

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.13 MX$694

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.7 MX$1,379

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.5 MX$1,496

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$978 MX$16.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$470 MX$8,140

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,651 MX$28.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,203 MX$20.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,953 MX$68.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,607 MX$114.3K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$677 MX$11.7K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

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

Last update for Playa del Carmen: July 27, 2026

Last update for Zimba: July 28, 2026

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 Zimba: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 1049%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,890 per month in Playa del Carmen and $165 in Zimba. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,260 in Playa del Carmen and $110 in Zimba. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 211% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Zimba, where all-in costs run around $110, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,260. In Zimba it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Zimba – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Zimba. 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.