🙂A single person spends $232 per month in Shahrisabz vs $1,266 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $411 per month in Shahrisabz vs $2,279 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $589 per month in Shahrisabz vs $3,292 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
🙂Shahrisabz is about 82% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Shahrisabz and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Shahrisabz83% lower, Playa del Carmen7% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.93UZS 34.7K
$11.60MX$200
-74.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$47.11MX$811
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.06UZS 24.4K
$11.88MX$205
-82.66%
Cappuccino
$0.58UZS 6,836
$3.98MX$68.5
-85.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49UZS 5,770
$1.43MX$24.57
-65.73%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21UZS 2,531
$0.82MX$14.20
-74.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.98UZS 11.6K
$3.19MX$54.9
-69.28%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99UZS 23.5K
$6.79MX$117
-70.69%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.68MX$28.85
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.26UZS 3,095
$2.20MX$37.83
-88.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.02UZS 23.9K
$1.71MX$29.41
18.13%
Eggs
$0.94UZS 11.1K
$2.74MX$47.20
-65.69%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$9.58MX$165
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.03UZS 24.1K
$9.01MX$155
-77.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.15UZS 84.6K
$12.81MX$221
-44.18%
Apples(1kg)
$0.68UZS 8,090
$2.89MX$49.74
-76.47%
Banana(1kg)
$0.98UZS 11.6K
$1.50MX$25.78
-34.67%
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.15MX$36.98
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.26MX$38.91
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.98MX$34.10
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$1.99MX$34.26
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.23MX$21.25
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58UZS 6,819
$1.20MX$20.60
-51.67%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.02UZS 12.1K
$4.55MX$78.3
-77.58%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.37MX$179
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.03UZS 12.1K
$1.62MX$27.88
-36.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98UZS 23.5K
$2.88MX$49.60
-31.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41UZS 4,900
$0.60MX$10.34
-31.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$28.80MX$496
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.42UZS 4,918
$5.39MX$92.8
-92.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.19UZS 2,210
$3.73MX$64.2
-94.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.77MX$99.3
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.87UZS 10.3K
$1.54MX$26.45
-43.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$22.5KMX$388.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$26.1KMX$448.7K
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$47.03UZS 556.6K
$91.4MX$1,573
-48.53%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.94UZS 34.8K
$25.20MX$434
-88.33%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.13UZS 108.0K
$31.24MX$538
-70.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.30UZS 358.6K
$67.2MX$1,157
-54.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$29.11MX$501
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.87UZS 81.3K
$4.86MX$83.7
41.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$224MX$3,851
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$4,229MX$72.8K
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.87UZS 140.5K
$47.10MX$811
-74.80%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$10.90UZS 129.0K
$44.29MX$763
-75.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$80.1MX$1,379
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$92.7MX$1,596
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,063MX$18.3K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$390MX$6,719
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$198UZS 2.3M
$2,149MX$37.0K
-90.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149UZS 1.8M
$1,272MX$21.9K
-88.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,001MX$68.9K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,502MX$112.0K
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$413UZS 4.9M
$758MX$13.1K
-45.52%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.45
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shahrisabz: September 12, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: September 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 84% higher in Playa del Carmen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
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
Shahrisabz vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Shahrisabz?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 446%, 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 $348 per month in Shahrisabz and $1,899 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 Shahrisabz and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $232 in Shahrisabz and $1,266 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Shahrisabz and in Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 287% 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.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Shahrisabz or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Shahrisabz, where all-in costs run around $232, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,266. In Shahrisabz it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Shahrisabz or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Shahrisabz – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Shahrisabz 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 – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Shahrisabz. 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.
Shahrisabz vs other spots: cost of living compared