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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $825 (excluding rent), and $1,262 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,489 (excluding rent), and $3,086 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.88 MX$210

$6.39 MX$113

$25.23 MX$445

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$41.90 MX$740

$31.43 MX$555

$99.3 MX$1,753

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.55 MX$186

$7.39 MX$130

$13.18 MX$233

Cappuccino

$3.60 MX$63.5

$1.35 MX$23.75

$6.47 MX$114

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

$1.50 MX$26.45

$1.07 MX$18.95

$2.95 MX$52.0

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.91 MX$16.09

$0.68 MX$11.94

$2.59 MX$45.69

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.08 MX$54.4

$1.63 MX$28.75

$5.42 MX$95.6

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.47 MX$78.8

$3.15 MX$55.5

$7.97 MX$141

Milk (1 liter)

$1.39 MX$24.54

$0.91 MX$16.01

$1.98 MX$34.98

White Bread (500g)

$1.90 MX$33.47

$0.67 MX$11.88

$4.50 MX$79.4

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.60 MX$28.27

$1.33 MX$23.47

$2.23 MX$39.30

Eggs

$2.60 MX$45.97

$1.77 MX$31.18

$5.76 MX$102

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.36 MX$148

$3.40 MX$60.0

$15.30 MX$270

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.64 MX$152

$4.46 MX$78.8

$14.13 MX$249

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.91 MX$192

$7.95 MX$140

$13.30 MX$235

Apples (1kg)

$2.61 MX$45.98

$2.06 MX$36.38

$4.28 MX$75.5

Banana (1kg)

$1.44 MX$25.46

$1.04 MX$18.36

$3.26 MX$57.5

Oranges (1kg)

$1.96 MX$34.55

$0.54 MX$9.49

$4.07 MX$71.8

Tomato (1kg)

$2.12 MX$37.34

$0.84 MX$14.83

$3.66 MX$64.6

Potato (1kg)

$1.86 MX$32.87

$1.10 MX$19.40

$2.64 MX$46.52

Onion (1kg)

$2.22 MX$39.20

$1.15 MX$20.31

$3.15 MX$55.6

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.02 MX$17.99

$0.97 MX$17.13

$1.54 MX$27.24

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.04 MX$18.36

$0.78 MX$13.69

$1.97 MX$34.82

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.05 MX$71.5

$4.21 MX$74.3

Wine (Bottle)

$10.18 MX$180

$8.49 MX$150

$13.01 MX$230

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.69 MX$29.79

$1.05 MX$18.57

$2.36 MX$41.70

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.62 MX$46.25

$1.35 MX$23.85

$5.42 MX$95.6

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.51 MX$9.09

$0.47 MX$8.23

$0.51 MX$9.09

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.52 MX$468

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.15 MX$55.7

$2.63 MX$46.37

$5.26 MX$92.9

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.46 MX$43.49

$1.53 MX$27.09

$4.43 MX$78.2

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.26 MX$57.5

$21.76 MX$384

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.32 MX$23.36

$1.30 MX$22.99

$1.63 MX$28.79

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

$30.1K MX$531.0K

$28.9K MX$510.1K

$31.3K MX$551.8K

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

$23.8K MX$419.3K

$21.9K MX$385.8K

$23.8K MX$419.3K

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

$83.5 MX$1,474

$50.7 MX$895

$214 MX$3,775

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

$22.86 MX$404

$10.74 MX$189

$32.21 MX$568

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.04 MX$530

$21.33 MX$376

$42.66 MX$753

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.9 MX$916

$31.73 MX$560

$65.2 MX$1,150

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.30 MX$323

$7.84 MX$138

$18.30 MX$323

Cinema Ticket

$5.12 MX$90.4

$3.78 MX$66.6

$10.24 MX$181

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

$201 MX$3,541

$159 MX$2,814

$399 MX$7,036

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,318 MX$93.9K

$2,901 MX$51.2K

$7,735 MX$136.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.73 MX$631

$15.62 MX$276

$67.7 MX$1,195

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$40.27 MX$711

$26.87 MX$474

$53.7 MX$948

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$79.2 MX$1,398

$52.5 MX$927

$105 MX$1,853

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$89.3 MX$1,576

$53.8 MX$950

$215 MX$3,799

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$947 MX$16.7K

$591 MX$10.4K

$1,298 MX$22.9K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$483 MX$8,525

$377 MX$6,660

$1,348 MX$23.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,599 MX$28.2K

$1,147 MX$20.2K

$2,085 MX$36.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,211 MX$21.4K

$798 MX$14.1K

$1,490 MX$26.3K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$3,996 MX$70.5K

$3,099 MX$54.7K

$4,753 MX$83.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,402 MX$113.0K

$2,582 MX$45.6K

$14.0K MX$247.9K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$730 MX$12.9K

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: January 13, 2026

Playa del Carmen Median Internet Speeds (Updated December 2025)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

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.