Cost of Living Comparison Between Cancun and Playa del Carmen 
| Indices Difference |  |
|---|---|
| Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen is 0.8% lower than in Cancun (excluding rent) | |
| Cost of Living Including Rent in Playa del Carmen is 4.2% higher than in Cancun | |
| Rent Prices in Playa del Carmen are 20.5% higher than in Cancun | |
| Restaurant Prices in Playa del Carmen are 1.4% lower than in Cancun | |
| Groceries Prices in Playa del Carmen are 9.6% lower than in Cancun | |
| Local Purchasing Power in Playa del Carmen is 16.3% lower than in Cancun | |
Restaurants | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | 200.00 MXN | 200.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Meal for Two at a Mid-Range Restaurant (Three Courses, Without Drinks) | 1,000.00 MXN | 800.00 MXN | -20.0 % |
| Combo Meal at McDonald's (or Equivalent Fast-Food Meal) | 200.00 MXN | 200.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Draft Beer (1 Pint) | 51.43 MXN | 72.50 MXN | +41.0 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 65.00 MXN | 100.00 MXN | +53.8 % |
| Cappuccino (Regular Size) | 67.67 MXN | 67.64 MXN | -0.0 % |
| Soft Drink (Coca-Cola or Pepsi, 12 oz Small Bottle) | 21.41 MXN | 33.02 MXN | +54.3 % |
| Bottled Water (12 oz) | 12.94 MXN | 26.36 MXN | +103.7 % |
Markets | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Milk (Regular, 1 Liter) | 27.27 MXN | 27.25 MXN | -0.0 % |
| Fresh White Bread (1 lb Loaf) | 49.72 MXN | 34.19 MXN | -31.2 % |
| White Rice (1 lb) | 13.58 MXN | 13.57 MXN | -0.1 % |
| Eggs (12, Large Size) | 42.97 MXN | 42.94 MXN | -0.1 % |
| Local Cheese (1 lb) | 88.66 MXN | 72.57 MXN | -18.1 % |
| Chicken Fillets (1 lb) | 70.27 MXN | 70.15 MXN | -0.2 % |
| Beef Round or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat (1 lb) | 112.88 MXN | 98.28 MXN | -12.9 % |
| Apples (1 lb) | 24.07 MXN | 23.93 MXN | -0.6 % |
| Bananas (1 lb) | 11.43 MXN | 11.40 MXN | -0.2 % |
| Oranges (1 lb) | 24.83 MXN | 16.56 MXN | -33.3 % |
| Tomatoes (1 lb) | 16.25 MXN | 16.23 MXN | -0.1 % |
| Potatoes (1 lb) | 16.33 MXN | 15.72 MXN | -3.7 % |
| Onions (1 lb) | 17.69 MXN | 17.67 MXN | -0.1 % |
| Lettuce (1 Head) | 21.01 MXN | 20.98 MXN | -0.2 % |
| Bottled Water (50 oz) | 21.01 MXN | 20.00 MXN | -4.8 % |
| Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) | 165.00 MXN | 165.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Domestic Beer (16.9 oz Bottle) | 30.65 MXN | 30.61 MXN | -0.1 % |
| Imported Beer (12 oz Small Bottle) | 47.40 MXN | 47.29 MXN | -0.2 % |
| Cigarettes (Pack of 20, Marlboro) | 79.00 MXN | 77.00 MXN | -2.5 % |
Transportation | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| One-Way Ticket (Local Transport) | 12.00 MXN | 10.00 MXN | -16.7 % |
| Monthly Public Transport Pass (Regular Price) | 500.00 MXN | 500.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Taxi Start (Standard Tariff) | 80.00 MXN | 80.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Taxi 1 mile (Standard Tariff) | 85.00 MXN | 100.00 MXN | +17.6 % |
| Taxi 1 Hour Waiting (Standard Tariff) | 250.00 MXN | 180.00 MXN | -28.0 % |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | 25.36 MXN | 25.36 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Volkswagen Golf 1.5 (or Equivalent New Compact Car) | 386,990.00 MXN | 386,990.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6 (or Equivalent New Mid-Size Car) | 438,033.33 MXN | 438,033.33 MXN | 0.0 % |
Utilities (Monthly) | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Basic Utilities for 915 Square Feet Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | 3,233.33 MXN | 1,544.62 MXN | -52.2 % |
| Mobile Phone Plan (Monthly, with Calls and 10GB+ Data) | 400.00 MXN | 462.50 MXN | +15.6 % |
| Broadband Internet (Unlimited Data, 60 Mbps or Higher) | 733.33 MXN | 536.00 MXN | -26.9 % |
Sports And Leisure | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Monthly Fitness Club Membership | 633.33 MXN | 1,066.25 MXN | +68.4 % |
| Tennis Court Rental (1 Hour, Weekend) | 245.00 MXN | 450.00 MXN | +83.7 % |
| Cinema Ticket (International Release) | 150.00 MXN | 87.85 MXN | -41.4 % |
Childcare | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Private Full-Day Preschool or Kindergarten, Monthly Fee per Child | 3,775.00 MXN | 3,775.00 MXN | 0.0 % |
| International Primary School, Annual Tuition per Child | 99,000.00 MXN | 72,000.00 MXN | -27.3 % |
Clothing And Shoes | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Jeans (Levi's 501 or Similar) | 1,000.00 MXN | 800.93 MXN | -19.9 % |
| Summer Dress in a Chain Store (e.g. Zara or H&M) | 1,000.00 MXN | 759.49 MXN | -24.1 % |
| Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) | 1,200.00 MXN | 1,635.19 MXN | +36.3 % |
| Men's Leather Business Shoes | 1,700.00 MXN | 1,602.79 MXN | -5.7 % |
Rent Per Month | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 11,942.86 MXN | 18,571.59 MXN | +55.5 % |
| 1 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 7,893.33 MXN | 7,930.00 MXN | +0.5 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment in City Centre | 25,166.67 MXN | 30,666.67 MXN | +21.9 % |
| 3 Bedroom Apartment Outside of City Centre | 19,514.29 MXN | 20,333.33 MXN | +4.2 % |
Buy Apartment Price | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment in City Centre | 3,568.36 MXN | 6,490.43 MXN | +81.9 % |
| Price per Square Feet to Buy Apartment Outside of Centre | 3,726.34 MXN | 10,516.70 MXN | +182.2 % |
Salaries And Financing | Cancun Edit |
Playa del Carmen Edit | |
| Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) | 15,283.29 MXN | 13,327.30 MXN | -12.8 % |
| Annual Mortgage Interest Rate (20-Year Fixed, in %) | 11.60 | 11.60 | 0.0 % |
| Last update: | 19 January 2026 | 19 January 2026 | |
| Contributors in the past 12 months: | 12 | 15 | |
Moving to Cancun? Explore:
Cities near Cancun: | Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen | 43.39 miles |
| Cost of Living in Akumal | 66.37 miles |
| Cost of Living in Tulum | 82.58 miles |
| Cost of Living in Valladolid | 98.33 miles |
| Cost of Living in Motul de Carrillo Puerto | 179.93 miles |
| Cost of Living in Merida | 189.86 miles |
| Cost of Living in Chetumal | 240.17 miles |
Cities near Playa del Carmen: | Cost of Living in Cancun | 43.05 miles |
| Cost of Living in Motul de Carrillo Puerto | 169.06 miles |
| Cost of Living in Chetumal | 196.83 miles |
| Cost of Living in Merida | 223.09 miles |