πA single person spends $1,011 per month in Sanliurfa vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,580 per month in Sanliurfa vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,148 per month in Sanliurfa vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πSanliurfa is about 20% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Sanliurfa and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Sanliurfa25% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.47βΊ346
$11.87MX$204
-37.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.25βΊ1,399
$42.90MX$736
-29.49%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.28βΊ337
$10.65MX$183
-31.64%
Cappuccino
$3.68βΊ170
$3.45MX$59.2
6.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.21βΊ55.9
$1.50MX$25.81
-19.33%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40βΊ18.28
$0.95MX$16.28
-57.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.47βΊ160
$3.03MX$51.9
14.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47βΊ160
$4.61MX$79.1
-24.73%
π Groceries & Markets
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.04βΊ48.24
$1.38MX$23.61
-24.64%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45βΊ20.62
$1.85MX$31.70
-75.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.03βΊ94.1
$1.61MX$27.65
26.09%
Eggs
$2.64βΊ122
$2.59MX$44.51
1.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.44βΊ529
$8.26MX$142
38.50%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.01βΊ232
$8.37MX$144
-40.14%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$20.77βΊ961
$10.66MX$183
94.84%
Apples(1kg)
$1.21βΊ56.1
$2.63MX$45.12
-53.99%
Banana(1kg)
$2.03βΊ94.0
$1.49MX$25.53
36.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.04βΊ48.11
$1.92MX$32.94
-45.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15βΊ53.1
$2.09MX$35.81
-44.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.85βΊ39.10
$1.86MX$31.88
-54.30%
Onion(1kg)
$0.76βΊ35.17
$2.26MX$38.81
-66.37%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.67βΊ30.95
$1.06MX$18.23
-36.79%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38βΊ17.76
$1.09MX$18.67
-65.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13βΊ98.7
$4.15MX$71.2
-48.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.45βΊ391
$10.39MX$178
-18.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.54βΊ118
$1.72MX$29.59
47.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48βΊ161
$2.61MX$44.85
33.33%
π Getting Around
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63βΊ28.97
$0.54MX$9.30
16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$30.42βΊ1,407
$26.94MX$462
12.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.09βΊ50.3
$3.13MX$53.7
-65.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61βΊ28.02
$2.51MX$43.09
-75.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.68βΊ355
$3.15MX$54.1
143.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.08βΊ50.0
$1.27MX$21.88
-14.96%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.0KβΊ2.0M
$30.4KMX$521.3K
44.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.9KβΊ2.0M
$23.6KMX$404.5K
81.96%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$63.0βΊ2,913
$83.0MX$1,425
-24.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.11βΊ421
$22.71MX$390
-59.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.90βΊ412
$29.46MX$506
-69.79%
π Sport & Entertainment
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.88βΊ1,984
$51.0MX$875
-15.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
$2.53βΊ117
$4.93MX$84.5
-48.68%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$601βΊ27.8K
$197MX$3,386
204.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,776βΊ406.0K
$5,280MX$90.6K
66.21%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.29βΊ892
$36.90MX$633
-47.72%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.94βΊ1,154
$39.89MX$685
-37.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.9βΊ3,463
$80.0MX$1,373
-6.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.0βΊ2,361
$89.5MX$1,536
-42.95%
π Accommodation & Living
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$515βΊ23.8K
$956MX$16.4K
-46.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$391βΊ18.1K
$477MX$8,189
-18.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$883βΊ40.9K
$1,646MX$28.3K
-46.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$700βΊ32.4K
$1,225MX$21.0K
-42.83%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,378βΊ63.7K
$3,918MX$67.2K
-64.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$997βΊ46.1K
$6,459MX$110.9K
-84.57%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Sanliurfa
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$873βΊ40.4K
$667MX$11.4K
30.89%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
11.42
31.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sanliurfa: June 9, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $515 in Sanliurfa versus $956 in Playa del Carmen. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
π°Salaries run about 31% higher in Sanliurfa, which reinforces the cost advantage β you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $30.00 in Sanliurfa versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $231 vs $250 β making Sanliurfa the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Sanliurfa vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Sanliurfa?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 26%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. 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 $1,517 per month in Sanliurfa and $1,906 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sanliurfa, 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 Sanliurfa vs Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,011 in Sanliurfa and $1,271 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 13% less in Sanliurfa. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Sanliurfa or Playa del Carmen?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Sanliurfa, where all-in costs run around $1,011, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,271. In Sanliurfa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Sanliurfa or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Sanliurfa β lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Sanliurfa or Playa del Carmen?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison β central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Sanliurfa. 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.