Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen - Updated Prices & Insights

50.65

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $723 (excluding rent), and $1,300 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,769 (excluding rent), and $3,033 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.63 MX$220

$6.25 MX$118

$24.69 MX$467

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.17 MX$797

$31.63 MX$598

$100 MX$1,890

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.4 MX$197

$7.28 MX$138

$12.99 MX$246

Cappuccino

$3.58 MX$67.8

$1.34 MX$25.34

$6.45 MX$122

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

$1.45 MX$27.45

$1.04 MX$19.66

$2.86 MX$54

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.91 MX$17.18

$0.67 MX$12.75

$2.58 MX$48.77

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 MX$55.2

$1.54 MX$29.18

$5.13 MX$97.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.57 MX$86.4

$3.22 MX$60.8

$8.15 MX$154

Milk (1 liter)

$1.38 MX$26.1

$0.9 MX$17.03

$1.97 MX$37.21

White Bread (500g)

$1.81 MX$34.26

$0.64 MX$12.16

$4.3 MX$81.2

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 MX$30.53

$1.34 MX$25.35

$2.24 MX$42.44

Eggs

$2.55 MX$48.2

$1.73 MX$32.69

$5.64 MX$107

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.58 MX$162

$3.49 MX$66

$15.7 MX$297

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.62 MX$163

$4.46 MX$84.3

$14.11 MX$267

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.69 MX$202

$7.79 MX$147

$13.04 MX$246

Apples (1kg)

$2.73 MX$51.6

$2.16 MX$40.81

$4.48 MX$84.7

Banana (1kg)

$1.49 MX$28.22

$1.08 MX$20.35

$3.37 MX$63.7

Oranges (1kg)

$1.88 MX$35.6

$0.52 MX$9.78

$3.91 MX$74

Tomato (1kg)

$2.1 MX$39.61

$0.83 MX$15.73

$3.62 MX$68.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.88 MX$35.54

$1.11 MX$20.98

$2.66 MX$50.3

Onion (1kg)

$2.14 MX$40.53

$1.11 MX$21

$3.04 MX$57.5

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 MX$20.08

$1.01 MX$19.12

$1.61 MX$30.4

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 MX$20.25

$0.8 MX$15.09

$2.03 MX$38.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.14 MX$78.4

$4.31 MX$81.4

Wine (Bottle)

$10.07 MX$190

$6.37 MX$120

$13.75 MX$260

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.75 MX$33.07

$1.09 MX$20.62

$2.45 MX$46.3

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 MX$47.05

$1.28 MX$24.26

$5.14 MX$97.2

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.5 MX$9.52

$0.46 MX$8.62

$0.5 MX$9.52

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.95 MX$509

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.22 MX$60.9

$2.68 MX$50.7

$5.37 MX$102

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.47 MX$46.62

$1.54 MX$29.04

$4.44 MX$83.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.11 MX$58.9

$20.79 MX$393

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 MX$23.79

$1.24 MX$23.42

$1.55 MX$29.32

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

$30.2K MX$570.9K

$29K MX$548.5K

$31.4K MX$593.4K

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

$23.5K MX$444.8K

$21.6K MX$409.2K

$23.5K MX$444.8K

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

$81.5 MX$1,541

$49.49 MX$936

$209 MX$3,947

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

$22.71 MX$429

$10.66 MX$202

$31.99 MX$605

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.14 MX$570

$21.4 MX$405

$42.81 MX$809

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$52.3 MX$989

$31.97 MX$604

$65.7 MX$1,242

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.59 MX$351

$7.96 MX$151

$18.59 MX$351

Cinema Ticket

$5.07 MX$95.9

$3.74 MX$70.7

$10.13 MX$192

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

$199 MX$3,755

$158 MX$2,984

$395 MX$7,461

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,208 MX$98.5K

$2,841 MX$53.7K

$7,576 MX$143.2K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.47 MX$690

$15.95 MX$301

$69.1 MX$1,306

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.18 MX$760

$26.81 MX$507

$53.6 MX$1,014

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.7 MX$1,506

$52.8 MX$998

$106 MX$1,997

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$86.5 MX$1,635

$52.2 MX$986

$209 MX$3,942

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$968 MX$18.3K

$604 MX$11.4K

$1,327 MX$25.1K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$477 MX$9,011

$372 MX$7,040

$1,330 MX$25.1K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,607 MX$30.4K

$1,153 MX$21.8K

$2,097 MX$39.6K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,195 MX$22.6K

$788 MX$14.9K

$1,471 MX$27.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,001 MX$56.7K

$2,881 MX$54.5K

$3,143 MX$59.4K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,268 MX$137.4K

$1,557 MX$29.4K

$13K MX$245.4K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$757 MX$14.3K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

11.5

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

City tags:

🌎 North america

Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen - Frequently Asked Questions

Playa del Carmen offers a practical balance of value and lifestyle, appealing to travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want access to beaches, reliable wifi, and diverse food. It can be cheaper than resort-dominated hotspots while still offering modern comforts, especially if you mix local markets with selective paid amenities. The best value tends to come from choosing a neighborhood a short walk from the beach and cooking some meals at home, rather than staying in premium beachfront stays. Time your visits outside peak season to stretch options further. Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Tip: Start with a short-term rental to test the area and adjust your budget as you settle in.

A typical day for a digital nomad might start with a morning coffee near a coworking space, then a quick grocery run at a local market for fresh produce. Housing search is often done online, focusing on apartments with reliable wifi and a safe building; short-term rentals may help while you scope different areas. Food options range from street tacos and mercados to casual cafes with good wifi. Local transport is convenient by bike, pedestrian-friendly streets, colectivos, or rideshare; errands can be done in Centro or along the lively beachfront strip. Playa del Carmen, Mexico living cost shapes choices about daily conveniences. Tip: Reserve time to test commute times at different hours.

Quality of life here leans on climate, culture, and convenience. A practical budgeting framework is to separate essentials (housing, utilities, groceries) from discretionary splurges (cafes, nightlife, weekend trips), then track it in your preferred currency to avoid confusion. Shoulder seasons and midweek travel can ease crowds and keep options flexible. Neighborhood fit matters: Centro keeps you close to shops and easy transit, while Playacar or quieter residential blocks offer more space and calmer evenings. Seasonality affects crowds more than dramatic price shocks, so build flexibility into your plans and avoid lock-in leases when you are still testing neighborhoods. Tip: Talk to long-term residents for real-world tips on timing and safety.