Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Targoviste and Playa del Carmen

For one person, living is cheaper in Targoviste: $958 a month against $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent and utilities included – about $3,000 less a year. The total is higher in Playa del Carmen despite lower rent and utilities.

Targoviste, Romania
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
Targoviste
🇷🇴 Romania
$958
/mo nomad
Playa del Carmen
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,204
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Targoviste and in Playa del Carmen

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Targoviste and in Playa del Carmen actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $958 per month in Targoviste vs $1,204 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Targoviste $958
  • Playa del Carmen $1,204

A couple spends around $1,376 per month in Targoviste vs $2,082 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Targoviste $1,376
  • Playa del Carmen $2,082

A family of three spends $1,793 per month in Targoviste vs $2,959 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

  • Targoviste $1,793
  • Playa del Carmen $2,959

Targoviste is about 20% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Targoviste and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Targoviste 30% lower, Playa del Carmen 12% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.17 RON 34.29
$10.92 MX$205
-34.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.39 RON 121
$43.37 MX$815
-41.46%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.37 RON 30.50
$11.78 MX$221
-45.93%
Cappuccino
$2.09 RON 9.98
$3.81 MX$71.6
-45.14%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35 RON 6.45
$1.28 MX$24.10
5.47%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 RON 6.23
$0.78 MX$14.71
66.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.06 RON 9.86
$3.17 MX$59.5
-35.02%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71 RON 12.95
$4.93 MX$92.7
-45.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.32 RON 6.32
$1.41 MX$26.43
-6.38%
White Bread (500g)
$0.87 RON 4.17
$2.22 MX$41.66
-60.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.36 RON 6.51
$1.42 MX$26.64
-4.23%
Eggs
$2.54 RON 12.17
$2.52 MX$47.41
0.79%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$3.21 RON 15.38
$7.26 MX$137
-55.79%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.34 RON 30.33
$7.70 MX$145
-17.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.20 RON 53.6
$12.69 MX$239
-11.74%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 RON 4.95
$2.78 MX$52.3
-62.95%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 RON 7.22
$1.37 MX$25.71
10.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.47 RON 7.04
$2.55 MX$47.94
-42.35%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.83 RON 8.76
$2.12 MX$39.90
-13.68%
Potato (1kg)
$0.83 RON 3.97
$1.94 MX$36.43
-57.22%
Onion (1kg)
$0.92 RON 4.39
$1.89 MX$35.44
-51.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.75 RON 3.60
$1.15 MX$21.55
-34.78%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 RON 3.61
$1.18 MX$22.16
-35.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.86 RON 28.03
$4.30 MX$80.7
36.28%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.43 RON 25.98
$9.95 MX$187
-45.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.15 RON 5.50
$1.58 MX$29.76
-27.22%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47 RON 7.06
$2.67 MX$50.2
-44.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.44 RON 2.10
$0.55 MX$10.40
-20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.70 RON 104
$26.62 MX$500
-18.48%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.77 RON 3.69
$4.97 MX$93.4
-84.51%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.61 RON 2.91
$3.33 MX$62.6
-81.68%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.34 RON 30.33
$5.36 MX$101
18.28%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.60 RON 7.66
$1.44 MX$27.14
11.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.9K RON 138.5K
$20.7K MX$388.4K
40.04%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3K RON 121.1K
$23.5K MX$441.0K
7.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$218 RON 1,042
$84.8 MX$1,594
156.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.21 RON 34.51
$23.41 MX$440
-69.20%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$8.23 RON 39.37
$28.66 MX$539
-71.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.14 RON 101
$57.1 MX$1,072
-62.94%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.95 RON 95.5
$28.91 MX$543
-30.99%
Cinema Ticket
$3.19 RON 15.27
$5.14 MX$96.6
-37.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$312 RON 1,491
$207 MX$3,882
50.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,239 RON 39.4K
$3,927 MX$73.8K
109.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$63.4 RON 303
$43.35 MX$815
46.14%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.01 RON 148
$41.44 MX$779
-25.17%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$53.7 RON 257
$74.2 MX$1,394
-27.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.4 RON 356
$89.3 MX$1,677
-16.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$355 RON 1,698
$980 MX$18.4K
-63.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$265 RON 1,267
$381 MX$7,157
-30.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$453 RON 2,166
$1,708 MX$32.1K
-73.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$401 RON 1,918
$1,075 MX$20.2K
-62.71%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,877 RON 8,980
$3,943 MX$74.1K
-52.39%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,353 RON 6,473
$6,158 MX$115.7K
-78.03%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Targoviste
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$867 RON 4,147
$735 MX$13.8K
18.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.84
11.45
-40.26%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Targoviste: October 27, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Targoviste
$265
Playa del Carmen
$381 43.8% $116
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Targoviste
$233
Playa del Carmen
$137 41.3% $96
Groceries & Markets
Targoviste
$178
Playa del Carmen
$255 43.4% $77
Eating Out
Targoviste
$128
Playa del Carmen
$202 58.3% $75
Clothing & Footwear
Targoviste
$100
Playa del Carmen
$112 11.6% $12
Sport & Entertainment
Targoviste
$28
Playa del Carmen
$67 145% $40
Getting Around
Targoviste
$27
Playa del Carmen
$50 85% $23

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $355 in Targoviste versus $980 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.

Salaries run about 18% higher in Targoviste, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Targoviste versus $43 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $178 vs $255 – making Targoviste the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇷🇴 Targoviste
🇲🇽 Playa del Carmen
🕒 Local time
06:45 6:45 AM
23:45 11:45 PM
7 h behind Targoviste
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
79,610
149,923
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

MXN, USD, EUR to RON – Romanian Leu Converter

Romanian Leu exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 4.78 RON (1 RON = 0.209 USD). 1 EUR = 5.34 RON (1 RON = 0.187 EUR).

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18.79 MXN (100 MXN = 5.32 USD). 1 EUR = 20.98 MXN (100 MXN = 4.77 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Targoviste Playa del Carmen 10,040 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Targoviste
  • Playa del Carmen

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Targoviste vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Targoviste cheaper than Playa del Carmen?
Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 26%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,438 per month in Targoviste and $1,806 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Targoviste, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $355 there versus $980 in Playa del Carmen.
What are total monthly expenses in Targoviste and in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $958 in Targoviste and $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. That makes Targoviste about 20% cheaper.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 18% less in Targoviste. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,200 a realistic budget for living in Targoviste or in Playa del Carmen?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Targoviste, where all-in costs run around $958, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,204. In Targoviste it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Targoviste or in Playa del Carmen?
It depends on your priorities. Playa del Carmen has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $958 in Targoviste to $1,204 in Playa del Carmen. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
For expats, Targoviste is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 20% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

Targoviste vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?