๐A single person spends $966 per month in Ukhta vs $1,261 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $1,490 per month in Ukhta vs $2,130 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $2,014 per month in Ukhta vs $2,999 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
๐Ukhta is about 23% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Ukhta and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median โ Ukhta28% lower, Playa del Carmen6% lower.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.69โฝ727
$11.67MX$202
-16.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.71โฝ2,905
$41.88MX$726
-7.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.58โฝ418
$10.40MX$180
-46.35%
Cappuccino
$2.38โฝ179
$3.61MX$62.6
-34.07%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.07โฝ80.1
$1.47MX$25.45
-27.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48โฝ36.22
$0.91MX$15.80
-47.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.42โฝ107
$3.03MX$52.6
-53.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53โฝ190
$4.47MX$77.4
-43.40%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.10โฝ82.5
$1.38MX$23.83
-20.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.66โฝ49.53
$1.84MX$31.93
-64.13%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.37โฝ103
$1.61MX$27.82
-14.91%
Eggs
$1.78โฝ134
$2.57MX$44.52
-30.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.95โฝ822
$8.49MX$147
28.98%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.91โฝ368
$8.49MX$147
-42.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.97โฝ673
$10.99MX$190
-18.38%
Apples(1kg)
$1.81โฝ136
$2.73MX$47.25
-33.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.90โฝ142
$1.50MX$25.92
26.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.93โฝ145
$1.96MX$33.93
-1.53%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.68โฝ201
$2.12MX$36.70
26.42%
Potato(1kg)
$0.83โฝ62.3
$1.86MX$32.30
-55.38%
Onion(1kg)
$0.70โฝ52.5
$2.17MX$37.67
-67.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.35โฝ101
$1.07MX$18.59
26.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66โฝ49.86
$1.05MX$18.18
-37.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.98โฝ223
$4.19MX$72.6
-28.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.14โฝ611
$10.28MX$178
-20.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.00โฝ75.1
$1.67MX$28.87
-40.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.88โฝ141
$2.49MX$43.12
-24.50%
๐ Getting Around
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.53โฝ39.49
$0.54MX$9.37
-1.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$26.27MX$455
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.95โฝ146
$3.10MX$53.8
-37.10%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33โฝ24.49
$2.46MX$42.66
-86.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.54โฝ490
$3.24MX$56.1
101.85%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73โฝ55.0
$1.26MX$21.83
-42.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.1Kโฝ2.6M
$30.2KMX$522.8K
12.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.1Kโฝ2.7M
$23.4KMX$406.3K
54.05%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$111โฝ8,324
$84.0MX$1,456
32.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.90โฝ442
$22.21MX$385
-73.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.89โฝ592
$29.65MX$514
-73.39%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.93โฝ2,621
$52.6MX$912
-33.64%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.34MX$318
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.94โฝ371
$4.95MX$85.7
-0.20%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$325โฝ24.4K
$198MX$3,438
63.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,917โฝ519.0K
$5,322MX$92.2K
29.98%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.2โฝ5,267
$35.95MX$623
95.24%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.16โฝ3,389
$40.06MX$694
12.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$116โฝ8,678
$78.8MX$1,365
46.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$107โฝ8,041
$86.5MX$1,499
23.87%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439โฝ32.9K
$977MX$16.9K
-55.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$299โฝ22.4K
$471MX$8,158
-36.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$762โฝ57.2K
$1,595MX$27.6K
-52.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$514โฝ38.5K
$1,215MX$21.1K
-57.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,176โฝ163.3K
$4,032MX$69.9K
-46.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,545โฝ116.0K
$6,579MX$114.0K
-76.51%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Ukhta
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$714MX$12.4K
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
11.42
31.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ukhta: April 22, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $439 in Ukhta versus $977 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.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $39 in Ukhta versus $42 in Playa del Carmen. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $198 vs $252 โ making Ukhta the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Ukhta vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Ukhta?
Yes โ Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 30%, 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 $1,450 per month in Ukhta and $1,891 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ukhta, 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 Ukhta vs Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $966 in Ukhta and $1,261 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category โ it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $325 per month in Ukhta and $198 in Playa del Carmen. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ukhta or Playa del Carmen?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Ukhta, where all-in costs run around $966, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,261. In Ukhta it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Ukhta or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ukhta โ 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 Ukhta. 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.