Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Redcliff and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Redcliff: $593 a month against $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $7,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Redcliff
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
$593
/mo nomad
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,204
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $593 per month in Redcliff vs $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Redcliff $593
  • Playa del Carmen $1,204

A couple spends around $983 per month in Redcliff vs $2,102 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Redcliff $983
  • Playa del Carmen $2,102

A family of three spends $1,373 per month in Redcliff vs $3,000 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Redcliff $1,373
  • Playa del Carmen $3,000

Redcliff is about 51% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in clothing.

Both Redcliff and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Redcliff 56% lower, Playa del Carmen 11% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.88 ZWL 263
$10.86 MX$201
-9.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.28 ZWL 1,178
$44.21 MX$817
0.16%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.60 ZWL 149
$11.76 MX$217
-52.38%
Cappuccino
$3.01 ZWL 80.2
$3.68 MX$68.0
-18.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.98 ZWL 26.15
$1.34 MX$24.79
-26.87%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 ZWL 11.90
$0.82 MX$15.24
-45.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.28 ZWL 34.12
$3.06 MX$56.6
-58.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94 ZWL 51.7
$4.94 MX$91.2
-60.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 ZWL 39.83
$1.47 MX$27.17
2.04%
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 ZWL 25.86
$2.22 MX$40.95
-56.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.73 ZWL 45.93
$1.48 MX$27.32
16.89%
Eggs
$1.91 ZWL 50.7
$2.49 MX$45.99
-23.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.36 ZWL 302
$7.52 MX$139
51.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.48 ZWL 146
$7.96 MX$147
-31.16%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.51 ZWL 173
$12.57 MX$232
-48.21%
Apples (1kg)
$2.98 ZWL 79.2
$2.78 MX$51.3
7.19%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 ZWL 43.21
$1.43 MX$26.37
13.29%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.99 ZWL 53.0
$2.62 MX$48.37
-24.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.53 ZWL 40.66
$2.14 MX$39.49
-28.50%
Potato (1kg)
$1.71 ZWL 45.43
$2.02 MX$37.38
-15.35%
Onion (1kg)
$1.77 ZWL 47.17
$1.99 MX$36.74
-11.06%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.28 ZWL 34.14
$1.14 MX$21.01
12.28%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00 ZWL 26.63
$1.20 MX$22.18
-16.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.03 ZWL 54.0
$4.26 MX$78.7
-52.35%
Wine (Bottle)
$8.09 ZWL 215
$10.02 MX$185
-19.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 ZWL 37.16
$1.54 MX$28.41
-9.09%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98 ZWL 52.6
$2.66 MX$49.17
-25.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.53 MX$9.73
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$27.51 MX$508
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.95 ZWL 105
$4.90 MX$90.6
-19.39%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.05 ZWL 54.5
$3.43 MX$63.5
-40.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.89 ZWL 130
$5.38 MX$99.4
-9.11%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.87 ZWL 49.82
$1.45 MX$26.76
28.97%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K ZWL 575.7K
$21.2K MX$391.0K
2.26%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.0K ZWL 719.6K
$23.0K MX$425.3K
17.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$50.7 ZWL 1,348
$85.4 MX$1,577
-40.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.61 ZWL 575
$23.46 MX$434
-7.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$69.2 ZWL 1,842
$28.43 MX$525
143.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$62.2 MX$1,149
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$28.68 MX$530
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.16 ZWL 270
$5.10 MX$94.3
99.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$429 ZWL 11.4K
$201 MX$3,715
113.32%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,385 ZWL 223.1K
$3,947 MX$72.9K
112.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.04 ZWL 613
$44.39 MX$820
-48.10%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.53 ZWL 573
$41.35 MX$764
-47.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$39.43 ZWL 1,049
$72.7 MX$1,344
-45.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.34 ZWL 1,074
$89.6 MX$1,656
-54.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$979 MX$18.1K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$373 MX$6,887
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,681 MX$31.1K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,095 MX$20.2K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$3,949 MX$73.0K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$6,137 MX$113.4K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Redcliff
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$738 MX$13.6K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.69
11.45
19.56%

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

Last update for Redcliff: October 19, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 17, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Redcliff
$213
Playa del Carmen
$258 21.1% $45
Eating Out
Redcliff
$148
Playa del Carmen
$200 35.3% $52
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Redcliff
$141
Playa del Carmen
$137 3% $4.2
Clothing & Footwear
Redcliff
$56
Playa del Carmen
$112 99.5% $56
Sport & Entertainment
Redcliff
$20 *
Playa del Carmen
$72 257% $52
Getting Around
Redcliff
$14 *
Playa del Carmen
$52 265% $38
Accommodation & Living
Redcliff
- *
Playa del Carmen
$373

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $44.00 in Redcliff versus $44.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $213 vs $258 – making Redcliff the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇿🇼 Redcliff
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🕒 Local time
13:15 1:15 PM
06:15 6:15 AM
7 h behind Redcliff
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
32,346
149,923
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to ZWL – Zimbabwean Dollar Converter

Zimbabwean Dollar exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 26.61 ZWL (100 ZWL = 3.76 USD). 1 EUR = 29.92 ZWL (100 ZWL = 3.34 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 24, 2026: 1 USD = 18.48 MXN (100 MXN = 5.41 USD). 1 EUR = 20.77 MXN (100 MXN = 4.81 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Redcliff Playa del Carmen 13,450 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Redcliff
  • Playa del Carmen

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
Redcliff vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Redcliff?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 103%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in clothing.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $890 per month in Redcliff and $1,806 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Redcliff and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $593 in Redcliff and $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. That's a gap of about 103%.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $429 per month in Redcliff and $201 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for living in Redcliff or in Playa del Carmen?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Redcliff, where all-in costs run around $593, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,204. In Redcliff it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Redcliff or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Redcliff – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Redcliff. 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.

Redcliff vs other spots: cost of living compared

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