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Compare cities › Cancún vs Playa del Carmen
Cancún vs Playa del Carmen cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇲🇽 Cancún
🇲🇽 Playa del CarmenCancún and Playa del Carmen cost about the same
Living on $3,708 a month in Cancún feels like about $3,728 in Playa del Carmen — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$247 vs $223
Per month
$3,708 vs $3,728
Local meal
MX$ 200 vs MX$ 180
$10.8 vs $9.68
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 130 vs MX$ 120
$6.99 vs $6.45
At a glance
FoodPlaya del Carmen 9% cheaper
Cafés & drinksPlaya del Carmen 11% cheaper
Transportsimilar
Staysimilar
FunCancún 10% cheaper
- Where Cancún is clearly cheaper: Entry ticket (16%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Cancún | Playa del Carmen | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 200$10.8 | MX$ 180$9.68 | Playa del Carmen −10% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 90$4.84 | MX$ 81$4.35 | Playa del Carmen −10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 600$32.3 | MX$ 550$29.6 | Playa del Carmen −8% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 75$4.03 | MX$ 70$3.76 | Playa del Carmen −7% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 80$4.3 | MX$ 70$3.76 | Playa del Carmen −12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 180$9.68 | Playa del Carmen −14% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 18$0.97 | MX$ 18$0.97 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 45$2.42 | MX$ 45$2.42 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 130$6.99 | MX$ 120$6.45 | Playa del Carmen −8% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 86$4.62 | MX$ 80$4.3 | Playa del Carmen −7% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 15$0.81 | MX$ 15$0.81 | similar |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 530$28.5 | MX$ 500$26.9 | Playa del Carmen −6% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 2,800$151 | MX$ 2,500$134 | Playa del Carmen −11% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 16,000$860 | MX$ 17,000$914 | Cancún −6% |
| Laundry | MX$ 43$2.31 | MX$ 40$2.15 | Playa del Carmen −7% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 200$10.8 | similar |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 220$11.8 | MX$ 240$12.9 | Cancún −8% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 640$34.4 | MX$ 700$37.6 | Cancún −9% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 860$46.2 | MX$ 900$48.4 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 210$11.3 | MX$ 250$13.4 | Cancún −16% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Cancún or Playa del Carmen?
Cancún and Playa del Carmen cost about the same. Daily budget $247 vs $223; a month $3,708 vs $3,728.
How do monthly costs compare between Cancún and Playa del Carmen?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Cancún is about $3,708 and Playa del Carmen about $3,728 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.