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Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico · Population 304,942

▲ +0% vs Mexico average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)$9,851 ($532)
Couple, monthly$17,647 ($954)
Family of four, monthly$22,979 ($1,242)

Estimated Prices in Playa del Carmen

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant$100 ($5.41)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range$400 ($21.62)per meal
Cappuccino$30.00 ($1.62)each
Monthly groceries (single person)$2,267 ($123)per month
Monthly public transport pass$367 ($19.82)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment$967 ($52.26)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)$280 ($15.14)per month
Fitness club membership$280 ($15.14)per month
Cinema ticket$73.34 ($3.96)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre$4,576 ($247)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre$3,184 ($172)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre$9,551 ($516)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Playa del Carmen is $14,708 ($795) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of $9,851 ($532) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly $12,806 ($692) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre ($3,184 ($172)) represents about 32% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen vs Mexico CityPlaya del Carmen vs GuadalajaraPlaya del Carmen vs MonterreyPlaya del Carmen vs San Luis PotosíPlaya del Carmen vs TolucaPlaya del Carmen vs Tijuana

Nearby Cities

Cozumel

18 km away · Quintana Roo

Puerto Aventuras

21 km away · Quintana Roo

Puerto Morelos

33 km away · Quintana Roo

Alfredo V. Bonfil

56 km away · Quintana Roo

Tulum

62 km away · Quintana Roo

Cancún

65 km away · Quintana Roo

Isla Mujeres

75 km away · Quintana Roo

Chemax

90 km away · Yucatán

Other Major Cities in Mexico

Mexico City

Ciudad de México · pop. 21,804,000

$12,286 ($664) / mo

Guadalajara

Jalisco · pop. 5,525,000

$12,081 ($653) / mo

Monterrey

Nuevo León · pop. 5,324,281

$12,081 ($653) / mo

San Luis Potosí

San Luis Potosí · pop. 2,822,255

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Toluca

México · pop. 2,476,689

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Tijuana

Baja California · pop. 2,002,000

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Ecatepec

México · pop. 1,655,015

$10,657 ($576) / mo

León de los Aldama

Guanajuato · pop. 1,579,803

$10,657 ($576) / mo

Living in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen is one of the key cities in Mexico. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is $9,851 ($532), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around $3,184 ($172) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to $22,979 ($1,242) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately $17,647 ($954) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Playa del Carmen is $14,708 ($795). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least $12,806 ($692) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Playa del Carmen expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated $9,851 ($532) per month in Playa del Carmen including rent outside the city centre. That is 0% more than the national average for Mexico.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Playa del Carmen?
A net salary of around $12,806 ($692) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Playa del Carmen with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Playa del Carmen is $14,708 ($795).
How much is rent in Playa del Carmen?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated $4,576 ($247) per month in the city centre and $3,184 ($172) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $9,551 ($516).
Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Mexico on average?
No — Playa del Carmen is estimated to be about 0% more expensive than the Mexico average, mainly due to housing demand.
What is the cost of groceries in Playa del Carmen?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at $2,267 ($123) in Playa del Carmen. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about $100 ($5) and a cappuccino runs around $30 ($2).
How do transport costs in Playa del Carmen compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Playa del Carmen is estimated at $367 ($20). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Playa del Carmen are estimates based on Mexico national averages adjusted for city size (population 304,942). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.