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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $755 (excluding rent), and $1,272 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,485 (excluding rent), and $3,009 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.6 MX$212

$6.24 MX$114

$24.63 MX$450

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.62 MX$761

$31.22 MX$571

$98.7 MX$1,804

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.77 MX$197

$7.54 MX$138

$13.46 MX$246

Cappuccino

$3.55 MX$64.9

$1.33 MX$24.28

$6.39 MX$117

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

$1.49 MX$27.26

$1.07 MX$19.52

$2.93 MX$53.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.96 MX$17.48

$0.71 MX$12.97

$2.71 MX$49.63

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.02 MX$55.3

$1.6 MX$29.2

$5.31 MX$97.1

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.57 MX$83.6

$3.22 MX$58.9

$8.16 MX$149

Milk (1 liter)

$1.44 MX$26.38

$0.94 MX$17.21

$2.06 MX$37.6

White Bread (500g)

$1.82 MX$33.37

$0.65 MX$11.84

$4.33 MX$79.1

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.62 MX$29.6

$1.34 MX$24.57

$2.25 MX$41.14

Eggs

$2.5 MX$45.77

$1.7 MX$31.04

$5.54 MX$101

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.58 MX$157

$3.49 MX$63.8

$15.7 MX$287

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.57 MX$157

$4.43 MX$81

$14.02 MX$256

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.69 MX$195

$7.79 MX$142

$13.03 MX$238

Apples (1kg)

$2.62 MX$47.87

$2.07 MX$37.87

$4.3 MX$78.6

Banana (1kg)

$1.46 MX$26.62

$1.05 MX$19.2

$3.29 MX$60.1

Oranges (1kg)

$1.97 MX$36.03

$0.54 MX$9.89

$4.09 MX$74.9

Tomato (1kg)

$2.12 MX$38.84

$0.84 MX$15.43

$3.67 MX$67.2

Potato (1kg)

$1.81 MX$33.06

$1.07 MX$19.51

$2.56 MX$46.79

Onion (1kg)

$2.23 MX$40.78

$1.16 MX$21.13

$3.16 MX$57.8

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 MX$19.64

$1.02 MX$18.7

$1.63 MX$29.74

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 MX$19.19

$0.78 MX$14.31

$1.99 MX$36.4

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.16 MX$76.1

$4.33 MX$79.1

Wine (Bottle)

$9.04 MX$165

$3.04 MX$55.6

$15.2 MX$278

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.72 MX$31.53

$1.08 MX$19.66

$2.41 MX$44.15

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.49 MX$45.46

$1.28 MX$23.44

$5.14 MX$94

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 MX$10.02

$0.5 MX$9.07

$0.55 MX$10.02

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.46 MX$484

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.08 MX$56.4

$2.57 MX$46.95

$5.15 MX$94.1

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.48 MX$45.26

$1.54 MX$28.19

$4.45 MX$81.4

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.22 MX$58.9

$21.49 MX$393

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 MX$24.07

$1.3 MX$23.69

$1.62 MX$29.66

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

$30.8K MX$562.4K

$29.5K MX$540.3K

$32K MX$584.5K

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

$23.9K MX$437.4K

$22K MX$402.4K

$23.9K MX$437.4K

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

$82.2 MX$1,502

$49.88 MX$912

$210 MX$3,847

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

$22.23 MX$406

$10.44 MX$191

$31.32 MX$573

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.32 MX$554

$21.53 MX$394

$43.05 MX$787

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.1 MX$934

$31.24 MX$571

$64.2 MX$1,173

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.2 MX$333

$7.8 MX$143

$18.2 MX$333

Cinema Ticket

$4.93 MX$90.2

$3.64 MX$66.5

$9.86 MX$180

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

$197 MX$3,601

$157 MX$2,862

$391 MX$7,155

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,214 MX$95.3K

$2,844 MX$52K

$7,585 MX$138.7K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$36.13 MX$661

$15.8 MX$289

$68.4 MX$1,251

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.28 MX$736

$26.87 MX$491

$53.7 MX$983

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.9 MX$1,462

$53 MX$969

$106 MX$1,938

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.1 MX$1,611

$53.1 MX$971

$212 MX$3,884

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$976 MX$17.8K

$609 MX$11.1K

$1,338 MX$24.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$470 MX$8,600

$367 MX$6,719

$1,312 MX$24K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,602 MX$29.3K

$1,149 MX$21K

$2,090 MX$38.2K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,192 MX$21.8K

$786 MX$14.4K

$1,467 MX$26.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,080 MX$56.3K

$2,981 MX$54.5K

$3,251 MX$59.5K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$7,438 MX$136K

$1,594 MX$29.1K

$13.3K MX$242.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$777 MX$14.2K

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

11.42

11.5

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

Last update: November 22, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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.