City in Quintana Roo, Mexico
Cost of living in Playa del Carmen
How much a month costs in Playa del Carmen
For one person, including rent. A comfortable month costs about $2,090–3,290 (MX$38,000–60,000).
Prices in Playa del Carmen
Typical 2026 ranges in MXN, rounded. US$ at the 03 Oct 2026 exchange rate.
| Item | MXN | US$ |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment, center (month) | MX$16,000–32,000 | $878–1,760 |
| 1-bedroom apartment, outside center (month) | MX$9,000–18,000 | $494–988 |
| Hostel dorm bed (night) | MX$250–650 | $14–36 |
| Mid-range hotel room (night) | MX$1,600–3,800 | $88–209 |
| Food and drink | ||
| Local meal or street food | MX$90–160 | $4.9–8.8 |
| Mid-range restaurant, per person | MX$400–900 | $22–49 |
| Cappuccino | MX$65–110 | $3.6–6.0 |
| Local beer, 0.5 l in a bar | MX$60–130 | $3.3–7.1 |
| Getting around | ||
| Public transport, one ride | MX$12–40 | $0.7–2.2 |
| Ride-hailing or taxi, about 5 km | MX$90–180 | $4.9–9.9 |
| Work and life | ||
| Coworking day pass | MX$250–450 | $14–25 |
| Gym membership (month) | MX$700–1,700 | $38–93 |
| Mobile data, 20–50 GB (month) | MX$200–400 | $11–22 |
Value for money: 20/100
A value score of 20/100 means Playa del Carmen gives more quality of life per dollar than 19% of the 1,319 places we cover. Quality here scores 63/100. It's the 36th most affordable of 38 places we cover in Mexico.
| Quality factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safety | |
| Air quality | |
| Internet | |
| Healthcare | |
| Weather | |
| Friendly locals | |
| English |
Cost of living across Mexico
One person, comfortable lifestyle, including rent.
| Place | Comfortable month | Value |
|---|---|---|
| San Cristóbal de las Casas | $988–1,540 | 70/100 |
| Guanajuato | $988–1,540 | 83/100 |
| Mazunte | $988–1,540 | 80/100 |
| Valladolid | $1,100–1,650 | 72/100 |
| Puebla | $1,100–1,760 | 71/100 |
| Acapulco | $1,100–1,760 | 42/100 |
| Mazatlán | $1,320–2,090 | 52/100 |
| Querétaro | $1,320–2,090 | 64/100 |
| Ajijic | $1,320–2,090 | 66/100 |
| Bacalar | $1,370–2,200 | 58/100 |
| La Paz | $1,430–2,200 | 55/100 |
| Tijuana | $1,430–2,200 | 51/100 |
| Oaxaca | $1,430–2,310 | 41/100 |
| Puerto Escondido | $1,430–2,310 | 36/100 |
| Guadalajara | $1,480–2,310 | 37/100 |
| Mérida | $1,480–2,310 | 52/100 |
| Monterrey | $1,540–2,470 | 43/100 |
| Cozumel | $1,650–2,640 | 44/100 |
| Isla Mujeres | $1,650–2,640 | 43/100 |
| Puerto Morelos | $1,650–2,640 | 42/100 |
| Todos Santos | $1,650–2,640 | 43/100 |
| Holbox | $1,760–2,750 | 40/100 |
| San Miguel de Allende | $1,760–2,850 | 43/100 |
| Sayulita | $1,870–3,020 | 26/100 |
| Mexico City | $1,920–3,020 | 24/100 |
| Cancún | $1,920–3,020 | 23/100 |
| Puerto Vallarta | $1,920–3,020 | 20/100 |
| Playa del Carmen | $2,090–3,290 | 20/100 |
| Tulum | $2,310–3,840 | 11/100 |
| Cabo San Lucas | $2,470–4,120 | 12/100 |
Cheaper alternatives to Playa del Carmen
Similar safety, lower cost, in Mexico & Central America.
| Place | Country | Comfortable month |
|---|---|---|
| Semuc Champey | Guatemala | $458–720 |
| Ometepe | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| León | Nicaragua | $679–1,140 |
| Guanajuato | Mexico | $988–1,540 |
| Granada | Nicaragua | $815–1,360 |
Quick answers
How much money do you need per month in Playa del Carmen?
About $1,100–1,540 on a lean budget, $2,090–3,290 for a comfortable month and $4,940–8,780 for a luxury one, rent included.
How much is rent in Playa del Carmen?
A furnished 1-bedroom apartment costs MX$16,000–32,000 ($878–1,760) a month in the center and MX$9,000–18,000 ($494–988) outside it.
How much does food cost in Playa del Carmen?
A local meal is MX$90–160 ($4.9–8.8); a mid-range restaurant is MX$400–900 ($22–49) per person.
Is Mexico expensive?
Prices in Mexico are about 54% of US price levels (World Bank PPP).
More about Playa del Carmen
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Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- World Bank: PPP conversion factor
- Ultramar ferries
- ADO
- Cancún International Airport (ASUR)
Prices are SoloSquare estimates for 2026, reviewed against official and operator prices where available. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.