Cost of Living Comparison Between Villarrica and Playa del Carmen Cost of Living Comparison Between Villarrica and Playa del Carmen

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $419 per month in Villarrica vs $1,293 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A couple spends around $637 per month in Villarrica vs $2,334 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

A family of three spends $854 per month in Villarrica vs $3,374 in Playa del Carmen, rent included.

Villarrica is about 68% cheaper than Playa del Carmen, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Villarrica and Playa del Carmen are more affordable than the global median – Villarrica 69% lower, Playa del Carmen 6% lower.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.71 MX$198

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$46.59 MX$787

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.65 MX$197

Cappuccino

$2.52 CLP 2,349

$4.09 MX$69.2

-38.39%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.65 CLP 1,541

$1.37 MX$23.23

20.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.09 CLP 1,013

$0.83 MX$14.09

31.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.74 CLP 2,560

$3.35 MX$56.7

-18.21%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.80 CLP 4,482

$6.91 MX$117

-30.54%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 CLP 1,205

$1.73 MX$29.19

-25.43%

White Bread (500g)

$2.62 CLP 2,450

$2.26 MX$38.20

15.93%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.53 CLP 2,364

$1.77 MX$29.90

42.94%

Eggs

$3.25 CLP 3,036

$2.73 MX$46.18

19.05%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.40 CLP 7,846

$9.18 MX$155

-8.50%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$11.32 CLP 10.6K

$8.92 MX$151

26.91%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.60 MX$213

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 CLP 2,433

$3.02 MX$51.1

-13.58%

Banana (1kg)

$1.92 CLP 1,790

$1.57 MX$26.54

22.29%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.78 CLP 2,594

$2.13 MX$35.92

30.52%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.48 CLP 1,382

$2.26 MX$38.27

-34.51%

Potato (1kg)

$1.48 CLP 1,381

$2.00 MX$33.87

-26.00%

Onion (1kg)

$1.29 CLP 1,206

$2.06 MX$34.89

-37.38%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.63 CLP 1,521

$1.18 MX$19.94

38.14%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.00 CLP 1,865

$1.20 MX$20.35

66.67%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.63 MX$78.3

Wine (Bottle)

$5.68 CLP 5,304

$10.69 MX$181

-46.87%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.62 MX$27.37

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.72 CLP 3,478

$2.88 MX$48.69

29.17%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.89 CLP 1,760

$0.57 MX$9.69

231.58%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$29.83 MX$504

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$2.20 CLP 2,056

$5.45 MX$92.1

-59.63%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.17 CLP 2,028

$3.70 MX$62.6

-41.35%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.98 MX$101

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.55 MX$26.25

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$22.3K MX$377.3K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.9K MX$438.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$64.1 CLP 59.8K

$89.1 MX$1,506

-28.08%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$25.04 MX$423

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$31.50 MX$532

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$32.17 CLP 30.0K

$67.8 MX$1,145

-52.54%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$28.92 MX$489

Cinema Ticket

$5.05 MX$85.3

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$225 MX$3,802

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$4,222 MX$71.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$47.44 MX$802

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.98 MX$760

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$82.0 MX$1,386

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$92.1 MX$1,556

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,069 MX$18.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$405 MX$6,850

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,935 MX$32.7K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,301 MX$22.0K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,995 MX$67.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,626 MX$112.0K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$544 CLP 508.0K

$749 MX$12.7K

-27.34%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.45

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

Last update for Villarrica: August 31, 2026

Last update for Playa del Carmen: August 29, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Salaries run about 38% higher in Playa del Carmen, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

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

Villarrica vs Playa del Carmen: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Playa del Carmen is pricier by about 209%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $629 per month in Villarrica and $1,940 in Playa del Carmen. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $419 in Villarrica and $1,293 in Playa del Carmen. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 14% 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.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Villarrica, where all-in costs run around $419, than in Playa del Carmen at $1,293. In Villarrica it covers expenses comfortably, while in Playa del Carmen it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Villarrica – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

If budget matters most, go with Villarrica. 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.