Playa del Carmen
Mexico
149,923 people9m elevationAmerica/Cancun23
Overview
Playa del Carmen has tourist area pricing but offers more value than Cancun or Tulum. Quinta Avenida area is priciest; residential neighborhoods offer savings. AC essential year-round. Good coworking infrastructure for Caribbean beach town.
Playa del Carmen operates on stark seasonal pricing—high season (December-April) commands 30-40% premiums over low season. Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 run 15-25% cheaper.
Cost of Living
Monthly costs in Playa del Carmen in USD. Editorial estimates combined with Numbeo data.
Housing (monthly rent)
Studio
Budget$450
Mid-range$700
Upscale$1,050
1 Bedroom
Budget$580
Mid-range$900
Upscale$1,400
2 Bedroom
Budget$800
Mid-range$1,300
Upscale$2,000
Food
Monthly Groceries
Budget$200
Mid-range$350
Premium$500
Dining (per meal)
Street food$4
Casual restaurant$8
Nice restaurant$40
Upscale$100
Transportation
Public transit (monthly)$20
Uber/taxi (avg ride)$5
Fuel (monthly)$90
Parking (monthly)$50
Utilities
Electric (low)$50
Electric (average)$100
Electric (high)$180
Water$15
Gas$22
Internet$40
Lifestyle
Gym membership$50
Cleaning (weekly)$25
Coworking space$180
Healthcare
Doctor visit$40
Basic insurance (monthly)$100
Comprehensive insurance$220
Other
Phone plan$22
Subscriptions$30
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Playa del Carmen?
Budget: $1,187-$1,696/month. Moderate: $1,930-$3,081/month. Comfortable: $3,129-$5,337/month.
Can I work remotely from Playa del Carmen?
Yes—internet speeds average 77.5 Mbps, sufficient for most remote work.