Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Cost of Living in Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Quick answer: As of 2026, living in Playa del Carmen costs approximately $1,220 per month for one person, with city-centre one-bedroom rent averaging $1,076. Actual costs vary with lifestyle, neighborhood, and exchange rates.

Playa del Carmen is a city in Mexico, where a single person can expect to spend about $1,220 per month including rent, food, and local transport. A one-bedroom apartment in the city centre averages $1,076 per month, or $380 outside the centre. Internet is workable at around 60 Mbps median download speed, and Mexico offers a digital nomad visa. On safety, Playa del Carmen scores 40/100 — below average on safety for residents and visitors. Expect summer highs near 90°F and winter highs around 80°F, with roughly 359 sunny days a year.

Top for Party BeachTop for CoworkingTop for Yoga WellnessTop for BeachDigital nomad visaLGBTQ+ friendlyFamily friendly
Monthly Cost$1,220≈ $41/day
1BR Rent (Centre)$1,076
Internet60 Mbps
Safety40/100
Avg Temp85°F

Playa del Carmen Cost of Living Breakdown

🍽️ Dining

Inexpensive Restaurant$11.65
Mid-Range Restaurant (2 People)$46.59
McDonald's Combo Meal$12.81
Cappuccino$3.94
Domestic Beer (Restaurant)$4.66
Bottled Water (Restaurant)$1.60

🛒 Groceries

Milk (1 Liter)$1.66
Bread (1 lb Loaf)$1.98
Eggs (12)$2.49
Chicken Fillets (1 lb)$4.08
Apples (1 lb)$1.39
Bananas (1 lb)$0.67
Tomatoes (1 lb)$0.94
Potatoes (1 lb)$0.92
Water (1.5L Bottle)$1.16
Wine (Mid-Range Bottle)$10.48
Cigarettes (Marlboro)$4.48

🚌 Transportation

One-Way Ticket$0.58
Monthly Transit Pass$29.12
Taxi Start$4.66
Taxi (1 Mile)$5.82
Gasoline (1 Liter)$1.48
VW Golf (New)$22,538.73

⚡ Utilities & Tech

Basic Utilities (Monthly)$89.73
Mobile Phone Plan$26.94
Broadband Internet$31.22

🎬 Lifestyle

Gym Membership (Monthly)$65.27
Cinema Ticket$5.02
Preschool (Monthly)$219.86
Intl. Primary School (Annual)$4,193.36

👔 Clothing

Jeans (Levi's 501)$46.40
Nike Running Shoes$94.75

🏠 Housing

Rent 1BR (City Centre)$1,075.94
Rent 1BR (Outside Centre)$380.27
Rent 3BR (City Centre)$1,786.06
Rent 3BR (Outside Centre)$1,184.24
Buy Price/sqft (Centre)$374.02
Buy Price/sqft (Outside)$609.60

📊 Summary

Avg Monthly Net Salary$761.29
Mortgage Interest Rate11.6%

Cost data sourced from Numbeo.

Lifestyle & Quality of Life in Playa del Carmen

Internet60 Mbps
Safety40/100
Healthcare66/100
Public Transit22/100
Walkability55/100
Nightlife65/100
Food Scene72/100
Fine Dining8/100
Coffee Culture60/100
Air Quality81/100
Green Spaces55/100
Culture35/100
Beaches92/100
Hiking15/100
Surfing15/100
Coworking Spaces30
US Visa-Free180 days

Playa del Carmen FAQ

How much does it cost to live in Playa del Carmen?

A single person should budget around $1,220 per month in Playa del Carmen, covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic lifestyle costs.

How much is rent in Playa del Carmen?

A one-bedroom apartment in central Playa del Carmen averages $1,076 per month, dropping to about $380 outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about $1,786.

Is Playa del Carmen safe?

Playa del Carmen scores 40/100 on safety, which is below average on safety. Tourist safety is rated 50/100.

How fast is the internet in Playa del Carmen?

Median download speeds in Playa del Carmen are around 60 Mbps — workable for remote work and video calls. There are roughly 30 coworking spaces in the city.

Does Mexico offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes — Mexico offers a digital nomad visa. US passport holders can typically stay 180 days visa-free before applying.

What is the weather like in Playa del Carmen?

Playa del Carmen sees summer highs around 90°F and winter highs near 80°F, with about 359 sunny days and 158 rainy days per year.

Playa del Carmen in our travel guides

Visa Requirements for Mexico

Add your passport to see whether you need a visa for Mexico and how to apply.

Explore More

See Playa del Carmen on the interactive map →

Similar destinations in Americas

Compare Playa del Carmen

Read our travel & relocation guides →

Browse all cities →