πA single person spends $130 per month in Siaya vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $220 per month in Siaya vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $309 per month in Siaya vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πSiaya is about 90% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth Siaya and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Siaya90% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$11.87MX$204
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$42.90MX$736
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$10.65MX$183
-
Cappuccino
-
$3.45MX$59.2
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.50MX$25.81
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.95MX$16.28
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$3.03MX$51.9
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.61MX$79.1
-
π Groceries & Markets
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.76KESΒ 98.4
$1.38MX$23.61
-44.93%
White Bread(500g)
$0.45KESΒ 58.1
$1.85MX$31.70
-75.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.26KESΒ 163
$1.61MX$27.65
-21.74%
Eggs
$1.69KESΒ 220
$2.59MX$44.51
-34.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.42KESΒ 1,221
$8.26MX$142
14.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.49KESΒ 712
$8.37MX$144
-34.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.90KESΒ 506
$10.66MX$183
-63.41%
Apples(1kg)
$1.83KESΒ 237
$2.63MX$45.12
-30.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.04KESΒ 135
$1.49MX$25.53
-30.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.58KESΒ 205
$1.92MX$32.94
-17.71%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.94KESΒ 122
$2.09MX$35.81
-55.02%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80KESΒ 103
$1.86MX$31.88
-56.99%
Onion(1kg)
$0.84KESΒ 108
$2.26MX$38.81
-62.83%
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.06MX$18.23
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51KESΒ 66.4
$1.09MX$18.67
-53.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$4.15MX$71.2
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$10.39MX$178
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.72MX$29.59
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.61MX$44.85
-
π Getting Around
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.54MX$9.30
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.94MX$462
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.13MX$53.7
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$2.51MX$43.09
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$3.15MX$54.1
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$1.27MX$21.88
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$30.4KMX$521.3K
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$23.6KMX$404.5K
-
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$83.0MX$1,425
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$22.71MX$390
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$29.46MX$506
-
π Sport & Entertainment
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$51.0MX$875
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.33MX$315
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.93MX$84.5
-
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$197MX$3,386
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,280MX$90.6K
-
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$36.90MX$633
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$39.89MX$685
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$80.0MX$1,373
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$89.5MX$1,536
-
π Accommodation & Living
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$956MX$16.4K
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$477MX$8,189
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,646MX$28.3K
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,225MX$21.0K
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,918MX$67.2K
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$6,459MX$110.9K
-
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Siaya
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$667MX$11.4K
-
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 Siaya: June 9, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 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
Siaya vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Siaya?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 877%, 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 $195 per month in Siaya and $1,906 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled β not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Siaya vs Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $130 in Siaya and $1,271 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category β it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do food prices compare in Siaya and Playa del Carmen?
Groceries cost about 95% 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 $1,500 a realistic budget for Siaya or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Siaya, where all-in costs run around $130, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,271. In Siaya it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Siaya or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Siaya β 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 Siaya. 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.