πA single person spends $268 per month in Shahrisabz vs $1,287 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $514 per month in Shahrisabz vs $2,184 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $759 per month in Shahrisabz vs $3,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πShahrisabz is about 79% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
πBoth Shahrisabz and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Shahrisabz80% lower, Playa del Carmen4% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.72UZSΒ 57.0K
$11.94MX$208
-60.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.42UZSΒ 259.1K
$42.75MX$744
-49.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$1.94UZSΒ 23.5K
$10.59MX$184
-81.68%
Cappuccino
$1.64UZSΒ 19.9K
$3.62MX$63.0
-54.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48UZSΒ 5,773
$1.47MX$25.54
-67.35%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25UZSΒ 3,015
$0.94MX$16.41
-73.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.99UZSΒ 11.9K
$3.09MX$53.8
-67.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98UZSΒ 23.9K
$4.46MX$77.6
-55.61%
π Groceries & Markets
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.43MX$24.80
-
White Bread(500g)
$0.26UZSΒ 3,164
$1.88MX$32.79
-86.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.68UZSΒ 20.3K
$1.63MX$28.34
3.07%
Eggs
$1.39UZSΒ 16.8K
$2.64MX$45.99
-47.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$8.21MX$143
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.94UZSΒ 23.5K
$8.29MX$144
-76.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.11UZSΒ 86.1K
$11.10MX$193
-35.95%
Apples(1kg)
$0.68UZSΒ 8,173
$2.65MX$46.14
-74.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.76UZSΒ 21.3K
$1.50MX$26.11
17.33%
Oranges(1kg)
-
$1.99MX$34.59
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.08MX$36.13
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.79MX$31.11
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.18MX$37.87
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.08MX$18.73
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42UZSΒ 5,114
$1.04MX$18.04
-59.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$0.98UZSΒ 11.8K
$3.97MX$69.1
-75.31%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.20MX$178
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.97UZSΒ 11.8K
$1.73MX$30.04
-43.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.04UZSΒ 24.6K
$2.50MX$43.46
-18.40%
π Getting Around
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15UZSΒ 1,798
$0.52MX$9.02
-71.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.97MX$469
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.38UZSΒ 4,607
$3.14MX$54.7
-87.90%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.20UZSΒ 2,444
$2.40MX$41.80
-91.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.09MX$53.7
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86UZSΒ 10.4K
$1.27MX$22.16
-32.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$30.9KMX$537.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$23.3KMX$405.7K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$46.36UZSΒ 560.8K
$82.0MX$1,427
-43.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.96UZSΒ 47.9K
$22.45MX$391
-82.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$9.23UZSΒ 111.7K
$29.66MX$516
-68.88%
π Sport & Entertainment
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.12UZSΒ 364.4K
$51.9MX$903
-41.93%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.67MX$325
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.97UZSΒ 84.4K
$4.97MX$86.5
40.24%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$198MX$3,442
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,273MX$91.7K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.84UZSΒ 143.2K
$36.34MX$632
-67.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.04UZSΒ 133.6K
$40.05MX$697
-72.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$79.9MX$1,390
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$88.9MX$1,547
-
π Accommodation & Living
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$211UZSΒ 2.6M
$963MX$16.8K
-78.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$465MX$8,086
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$198UZSΒ 2.4M
$1,596MX$27.8K
-87.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150UZSΒ 1.8M
$1,209MX$21.0K
-87.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,942MX$68.6K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,448MX$112.2K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Shahrisabz
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$418UZSΒ 5.1M
$720MX$12.5K
-41.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
11.42
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Shahrisabz: April 28, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 25, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $211 in Shahrisabz versus $963 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 72% higher in Playa del Carmen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
πA mid-range dinner for two costs $21.00 in Shahrisabz versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $74.0 vs $251 β making Shahrisabz 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
Shahrisabz vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Shahrisabz?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 381%, 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 $402 per month in Shahrisabz and $1,930 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 Shahrisabz, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Shahrisabz and Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 239% 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 eating out cheaper in Shahrisabz or Playa del Carmen?
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for Shahrisabz or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Shahrisabz, where all-in costs run around $268, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,287. 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 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, 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 β 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