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

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $719 (excluding rent), and $1,259 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $1,804 (excluding rent), and $3,029 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$11.85 MX$210

$6.37 MX$113

$25.17 MX$446

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$42.16 MX$746

$31.62 MX$560

$99.9 MX$1,769

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.75 MX$190

$7.53 MX$133

$13.43 MX$238

Cappuccino

$3.47 MX$61.5

$1.30 MX$23.00

$6.25 MX$111

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

$1.45 MX$25.72

$1.04 MX$18.42

$2.86 MX$50.6

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.90 MX$15.98

$0.67 MX$11.86

$2.56 MX$45.36

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.05 MX$54.1

$1.61 MX$28.55

$5.37 MX$95.0

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.42 MX$78.2

$3.11 MX$55.1

$7.88 MX$139

Milk (1 liter)

$1.37 MX$24.24

$0.89 MX$15.81

$1.95 MX$34.55

White Bread (500g)

$1.87 MX$33.14

$0.66 MX$11.76

$4.44 MX$78.6

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.54 MX$27.32

$1.28 MX$22.68

$2.15 MX$37.98

Eggs

$2.50 MX$44.31

$1.70 MX$30.05

$5.54 MX$98.1

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.61 MX$152

$3.50 MX$62.0

$15.75 MX$279

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.63 MX$153

$4.46 MX$79.0

$14.13 MX$250

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.02 MX$195

$8.03 MX$142

$13.44 MX$238

Apples (1kg)

$2.75 MX$48.67

$2.18 MX$38.50

$4.51 MX$79.9

Banana (1kg)

$1.43 MX$25.28

$1.03 MX$18.23

$3.23 MX$57.1

Oranges (1kg)

$1.87 MX$33.15

$0.51 MX$9.10

$3.89 MX$68.9

Tomato (1kg)

$2.17 MX$38.37

$0.86 MX$15.24

$3.75 MX$66.3

Potato (1kg)

$1.88 MX$33.33

$1.11 MX$19.67

$2.66 MX$47.17

Onion (1kg)

$2.25 MX$39.76

$1.16 MX$20.60

$3.19 MX$56.4

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.07 MX$18.90

$1.02 MX$18.00

$1.62 MX$28.62

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.07 MX$19.00

$0.80 MX$14.16

$2.04 MX$36.03

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$4.15 MX$73.5

$4.32 MX$76.4

Wine (Bottle)

$10.34 MX$183

$2.99 MX$52.9

$14.94 MX$264

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.68 MX$29.72

$1.05 MX$18.53

$2.35 MX$41.61

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.48 MX$43.97

$1.28 MX$22.67

$5.13 MX$90.9

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.55 MX$9.82

$0.50 MX$8.90

$0.55 MX$9.82

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$26.53 MX$470

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.22 MX$56.9

$2.68 MX$47.42

$5.37 MX$95.0

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.48 MX$43.93

$1.55 MX$27.36

$4.46 MX$79.0

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$3.11 MX$55.0

$20.75 MX$367

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.26 MX$22.22

$1.24 MX$21.88

$1.55 MX$27.39

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

$30.7K MX$542.7K

$29.5K MX$521.3K

$31.9K MX$564.0K

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

$24.0K MX$425.5K

$22.1K MX$391.4K

$24.0K MX$425.5K

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

$82.5 MX$1,460

$50.1 MX$886

$211 MX$3,738

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

$22.29 MX$394

$10.47 MX$185

$31.40 MX$556

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$30.02 MX$531

$21.31 MX$377

$42.63 MX$754

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$51.4 MX$911

$31.45 MX$557

$64.6 MX$1,143

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.29 MX$324

$7.84 MX$139

$18.29 MX$324

Cinema Ticket

$4.98 MX$88.2

$3.67 MX$65.0

$9.96 MX$176

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

$200 MX$3,540

$159 MX$2,814

$397 MX$7,034

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,304 MX$93.9K

$2,893 MX$51.2K

$7,715 MX$136.6K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$35.71 MX$632

$15.61 MX$276

$67.6 MX$1,197

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$39.56 MX$700

$26.39 MX$467

$52.8 MX$934

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.6 MX$1,426

$53.4 MX$945

$107 MX$1,890

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$88.3 MX$1,563

$53.3 MX$943

$213 MX$3,769

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$969 MX$17.2K

$605 MX$10.7K

$1,329 MX$23.5K

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$482 MX$8,535

$377 MX$6,668

$1,345 MX$23.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,595 MX$28.2K

$1,144 MX$20.3K

$2,081 MX$36.8K

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,184 MX$21.0K

$780 MX$13.8K

$1,457 MX$25.8K

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,050 MX$71.7K

$3,213 MX$56.9K

$4,742 MX$83.9K

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,522 MX$115.4K

$2,557 MX$45.3K

$14.5K MX$255.8K

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$756 MX$13.4K

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: March 3, 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.