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Compare cities โบ Oaxaca vs Playa del Carmen
Oaxaca vs Playa del Carmen cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Oaxaca
๐ฒ๐ฝ Playa del CarmenOaxaca is 90% cheaper than Playa del Carmen
Living on $1,898 a month in Oaxaca feels like about $3,728 in Playa del Carmen โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$122 vs $223
Per month
$1,898 vs $3,728
Local meal
MX$ 93 vs MX$ 180
$5 vs $9.68
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 93 vs MX$ 120
$5 vs $6.45
At a glance
FoodOaxaca 47% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksOaxaca 34% cheaper
TransportOaxaca 24% cheaper
StayOaxaca 47% cheaper
FunOaxaca 21% cheaper
- Where Oaxaca is clearly cheaper: Local meal (48%โ), Street food (48%โ), Hotel night (48%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Oaxaca | Playa del Carmen | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 93$5 | MX$ 180$9.68 | Oaxaca โ48% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 42$2.26 | MX$ 81$4.35 | Oaxaca โ48% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 300$16.1 | MX$ 550$29.6 | Oaxaca โ45% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 46$2.47 | MX$ 70$3.76 | Oaxaca โ34% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 46$2.47 | MX$ 70$3.76 | Oaxaca โ34% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 120$6.45 | MX$ 180$9.68 | Oaxaca โ33% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 11$0.59 | MX$ 18$0.97 | Oaxaca โ39% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 28$1.51 | MX$ 45$2.42 | Oaxaca โ38% |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 93$5 | MX$ 120$6.45 | Oaxaca โ22% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 74$3.98 | MX$ 80$4.3 | Oaxaca โ8% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 10$0.51 | MX$ 15$0.81 | Oaxaca โ37% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 470$25.3 | MX$ 500$26.9 | Oaxaca โ6% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 1,300$69.9 | MX$ 2,500$134 | Oaxaca โ48% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 9,300$500 | MX$ 17,000$914 | Oaxaca โ45% |
| Laundry | MX$ 37$1.99 | MX$ 40$2.15 | Oaxaca โ8% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 190$10.2 | MX$ 200$10.8 | Oaxaca โ5% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 200$10.8 | MX$ 240$12.9 | Oaxaca โ17% |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 560$30.1 | MX$ 700$37.6 | Oaxaca โ20% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 740$39.8 | MX$ 900$48.4 | Oaxaca โ18% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 190$10.2 | MX$ 250$13.4 | Oaxaca โ24% |
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, Oaxaca or Playa del Carmen?
Oaxaca is 90% cheaper than Playa del Carmen. Daily budget $122 vs $223; a month $1,898 vs $3,728.
How do monthly costs compare between Oaxaca and Playa del Carmen?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Oaxaca is about $1,898 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.