πA single person spends $1,079 per month in Veliky Novgorod vs $1,297 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA couple spends around $1,649 per month in Veliky Novgorod vs $2,181 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πA family of three spends $2,219 per month in Veliky Novgorod vs $3,065 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.
πVeliky Novgorod is about 17% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
πBoth Veliky Novgorod and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median β Veliky Novgorod19% lower, Playa del Carmen3% lower.
Currency
π½ Eating Out
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.63β½703
$11.73MX$203
-17.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.93β½3,571
$41.62MX$720
17.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.75β½420
$10.64MX$184
-45.96%
Cappuccino
$2.58β½188
$3.52MX$60.9
-26.70%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.09β½79.2
$1.51MX$26.12
-27.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59β½42.78
$0.97MX$16.84
-39.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.87β½137
$2.95MX$51.0
-36.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61β½191
$4.45MX$77.0
-41.35%
π Groceries & Markets
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16β½84.8
$1.38MX$23.93
-15.94%
White Bread(500g)
$0.88β½63.9
$1.89MX$32.72
-53.44%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.58β½115
$1.64MX$28.32
-3.66%
Eggs
$1.85β½135
$2.51MX$43.34
-26.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$12.25β½894
$8.34MX$144
46.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.87β½282
$8.34MX$144
-53.60%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.67β½779
$10.73MX$186
-0.56%
Apples(1kg)
$1.68β½123
$2.60MX$45.04
-35.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29β½93.9
$1.46MX$25.20
-11.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.98β½144
$1.90MX$32.87
4.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.34β½244
$2.08MX$35.91
60.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.88β½64.2
$1.78MX$30.71
-50.56%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68β½49.53
$2.19MX$37.80
-68.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.30β½94.9
$1.04MX$17.99
25.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77β½56.5
$1.08MX$18.62
-28.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.03β½221
$4.08MX$70.6
-25.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$6.80β½496
$10.32MX$178
-34.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06β½77.3
$1.71MX$29.61
-38.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03β½148
$2.58MX$44.54
-21.32%
π Getting Around
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48β½35.23
$0.51MX$8.81
-5.88%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$36.05β½2,631
$26.46MX$458
36.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.26β½91.6
$3.26MX$56.4
-61.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.56β½40.68
$2.49MX$43.09
-77.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.72β½564
$3.25MX$56.2
137.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.75β½54.7
$1.31MX$22.61
-42.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6Kβ½2.7M
$30.3KMX$523.7K
24.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$36.8Kβ½2.7M
$23.4KMX$405.3K
57.26%
π§Ύ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$130β½9,517
$82.9MX$1,433
57.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.78β½495
$22.22MX$384
-69.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$7.09β½517
$29.34MX$507
-75.84%
π Sport & Entertainment
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$31.59β½2,306
$51.6MX$893
-38.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.32MX$317
-
Cinema Ticket
$5.59β½408
$5.07MX$87.6
10.26%
π§Έ Childcare & Education
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$399β½29.1K
$201MX$3,473
98.72%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,491β½692.7K
$5,212MX$90.1K
82.10%
ππ Clothing & Footwear
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$98.5β½7,186
$36.92MX$639
166.66%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.6β½3,910
$39.79MX$688
34.63%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$117β½8,565
$78.5MX$1,357
49.57%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$133β½9,736
$87.1MX$1,506
53.16%
π Accommodation & Living
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$451β½32.9K
$973MX$16.8K
-53.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$306β½22.3K
$468MX$8,090
-34.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$757β½55.2K
$1,641MX$28.4K
-53.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$518β½37.8K
$1,221MX$21.1K
-57.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,713β½125.1K
$3,946MX$68.3K
-56.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,359β½99.2K
$6,498MX$112.4K
-79.09%
π΅ Salaries & Financials
Veliky Novgorod
Playa del Carmen
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$834β½60.8K
$664MX$11.5K
25.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24.95
11.42
118.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input β minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Veliky Novgorod: June 1, 2026
Last update for Playa del Carmen: June 2, 2026
Cost Breakdown
π A central one-bedroom costs $451 in Veliky Novgorod versus $973 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 26% higher in Veliky Novgorod, 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 $49.00 in Veliky Novgorod versus $42.00 in Playa del Carmen. Groceries tell a different story β $204 in Veliky Novgorod vs $249 in Playa del Carmen β so Veliky Novgorod wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
Veliky Novgorod vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Veliky Novgorod?
Yes β Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 20%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. 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 $1,619 per month in Veliky Novgorod and $1,945 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 Veliky Novgorod, 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 Veliky Novgorod vs Playa del Carmen?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,079 in Veliky Novgorod and $1,297 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 36% less in Veliky Novgorod. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $2,000 a realistic budget for Veliky Novgorod or Playa del Carmen?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Veliky Novgorod, where all-in costs run around $1,079, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,297. In Veliky Novgorod it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Veliky Novgorod or Playa del Carmen more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Veliky Novgorod 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, Veliky Novgorod 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 Veliky Novgorod. 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.
Veliky Novgorod vs other spots: cost of living compared