πA single person spends $1,025 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $1,271 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,585 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $2,126 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,145 per month in TamΓ‘si vs $2,980 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πTamΓ‘si is about 19% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
πBoth TamΓ‘si and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β TamΓ‘si24% lower, Playa del Carmen5% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.67FtΒ 2,365
$11.87MX$207
-35.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.89FtΒ 14.2K
$42.90MX$749
6.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.63FtΒ 1,736
$10.65MX$186
-47.14%
Cappuccino
$2.06FtΒ 636
$3.45MX$60.2
-40.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.49FtΒ 460
$1.50MX$26.24
-0.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39FtΒ 428
$0.95MX$16.56
46.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27FtΒ 700
$3.03MX$52.8
-25.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.12FtΒ 653
$4.61MX$80.4
-54.01%
π Groceries & Markets
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.05FtΒ 324
$1.38MX$24.01
-23.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.60FtΒ 494
$1.85MX$32.24
-13.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$1.61MX$28.11
-26.71%
Eggs
$2.04FtΒ 628
$2.59MX$45.26
-21.24%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.70FtΒ 2,375
$8.26MX$144
-6.78%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.65FtΒ 1,744
$8.37MX$146
-32.50%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.26FtΒ 3,473
$10.66MX$186
5.63%
Apples(1kg)
$1.37FtΒ 422
$2.63MX$45.89
-47.91%
Banana(1kg)
$1.41FtΒ 434
$1.49MX$25.96
-5.37%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75FtΒ 538
$1.92MX$33.50
-8.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.77FtΒ 855
$2.09MX$36.41
32.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.96FtΒ 296
$1.86MX$32.42
-48.39%
Onion(1kg)
$1.19FtΒ 366
$2.26MX$39.47
-47.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.43FtΒ 441
$1.06MX$18.54
34.91%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48FtΒ 148
$1.09MX$18.98
-55.96%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.36FtΒ 1,962
$4.15MX$72.4
53.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16FtΒ 1,284
$10.39MX$181
-59.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.92FtΒ 285
$1.72MX$30.09
-46.51%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.46FtΒ 450
$2.61MX$45.60
-44.06%
π Getting Around
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.18FtΒ 364
$0.54MX$9.46
118.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$25.37FtΒ 7,823
$26.94MX$470
-5.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.88FtΒ 887
$3.13MX$54.6
-7.99%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.29FtΒ 398
$2.51MX$43.82
-48.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$17.46FtΒ 5,385
$3.15MX$55.0
454.29%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.68FtΒ 519
$1.27MX$22.25
32.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KFtΒ 8.1M
$30.4KMX$530.1K
-13.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KFtΒ 7.8M
$23.6KMX$411.3K
7.18%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$105FtΒ 32.3K
$83.0MX$1,449
26.23%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.87FtΒ 7,669
$22.71MX$396
9.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.41FtΒ 4,136
$29.46MX$514
-54.48%
π Sport & Entertainment
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.78FtΒ 14.4K
$51.0MX$890
-8.27%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.60FtΒ 5,119
$18.33MX$320
-9.44%
Cinema Ticket
$6.98FtΒ 2,151
$4.93MX$86.0
41.58%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$223FtΒ 68.7K
$197MX$3,444
12.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,210FtΒ 1.9M
$5,280MX$92.1K
17.63%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$82.9FtΒ 25.6K
$36.90MX$644
124.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.76FtΒ 9,177
$39.89MX$696
-25.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5FtΒ 21.4K
$80.0MX$1,396
-13.12%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.1FtΒ 17.9K
$89.5MX$1,561
-35.12%
π Accommodation & Living
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451FtΒ 139.0K
$956MX$16.7K
-52.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$339FtΒ 104.6K
$477MX$8,327
-28.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$633FtΒ 195.3K
$1,646MX$28.7K
-61.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$539FtΒ 166.3K
$1,225MX$21.4K
-55.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,333FtΒ 1.0M
$3,918MX$68.4K
-14.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,104FtΒ 648.9K
$6,459MX$112.7K
-67.42%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
TamΓ‘si
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,251FtΒ 385.6K
$667MX$11.6K
87.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.85
11.42
-48.77%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for TamΓ‘si: June 6, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $451 in TamΓ‘si 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 87% higher in TamΓ‘si, 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 $46.00 in TamΓ‘si versus $43.00 in Playa del Carmen. Groceries tell a different story β $193 in TamΓ‘si vs $250 in Playa del Carmen β so TamΓ‘si wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
TamΓ‘si vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than TamΓ‘si?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 24%, 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 $1,537 per month in TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si, 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 TamΓ‘si vs Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,025 in TamΓ‘si 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 6% less in TamΓ‘si. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for TamΓ‘si or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in TamΓ‘si, where all-in costs run around $1,025, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,271. In TamΓ‘si it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is TamΓ‘si or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward TamΓ‘si 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, TamΓ‘si 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 TamΓ‘si. 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.