Earn Here, Spend ThereWhat is this money worth over there?
Compare cities โบ Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro
Playa del Carmen vs Rio de Janeiro cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated September 2026
๐ฒ๐ฝ Playa del Carmen
๐ง๐ท Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is 25% cheaper than Playa del Carmen
Living on $3,728 a month in Playa del Carmen feels like about $2,821 in Rio de Janeiro โ same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$223 vs $166
Per month
$3,728 vs $2,821
Local meal
MX$ 180 vs R$ 43
$9.68 vs $7.96
Taxi 5 km
MX$ 120 vs R$ 43
$6.45 vs $7.96
At a glance
FoodRio de Janeiro 21% cheaper
Cafรฉs & drinksRio de Janeiro 24% cheaper
TransportPlaya del Carmen 13% cheaper
StayRio de Janeiro 31% cheaper
FunRio de Janeiro 12% cheaper
- Where Rio de Janeiro is clearly cheaper: Hotel night (32%โ), Coffee (31%โ), Studio rent (month) (29%โ)
- Where Playa del Carmen is clearly cheaper: Taxi (19%โ)
Item by item
| Item | Playa del Carmen | Rio de Janeiro | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | MX$ 180$9.68 | R$ 43$7.96 | Rio de Janeiro โ18% |
| Street food1 item | MX$ 81$4.35 | R$ 19$3.52 | Rio de Janeiro โ19% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | MX$ 550$29.6 | R$ 120$22.2 | Rio de Janeiro โ25% |
| Coffeeone cup | MX$ 70$3.76 | R$ 14$2.59 | Rio de Janeiro โ31% |
| Beerone bottle | MX$ 70$3.76 | R$ 16$2.96 | Rio de Janeiro โ21% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | MX$ 180$9.68 | R$ 42$7.78 | Rio de Janeiro โ20% |
| Bottled water | MX$ 18$0.97 | R$ 5$0.93 | similar |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | MX$ 45$2.42 | R$ 13$2.41 | similar |
| Taxi5 km in town | MX$ 120$6.45 | R$ 43$7.96 | Playa del Carmen โ19% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | MX$ 80$4.3 | R$ 25$4.63 | Playa del Carmen โ7% |
| Transitone ride | MX$ 15$0.81 | R$ 5$0.93 | Playa del Carmen โ13% |
| Scooter rentalper day | MX$ 500$26.9 | R$ 160$29.6 | Playa del Carmen โ9% |
| Hotel night3-star | MX$ 2,500$134 | R$ 490$90.7 | Rio de Janeiro โ32% |
| Studio rent (month) | MX$ 17,000$914 | R$ 3,500$648 | Rio de Janeiro โ29% |
| Laundry | MX$ 40$2.15 | R$ 11$2.04 | Rio de Janeiro โ5% |
| SIM card1 week data | MX$ 200$10.8 | R$ 54$10 | Rio de Janeiro โ7% |
| Haircutcut | MX$ 240$12.9 | R$ 67$12.4 | similar |
| Massage1 hour | MX$ 700$37.6 | R$ 190$35.2 | Rio de Janeiro โ7% |
| Half-day tourper person | MX$ 900$48.4 | R$ 250$46.3 | similar |
| Entry ticketTourist town | MX$ 250$13.4 | R$ 54$10 | Rio de Janeiro โ26% |
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, Playa del Carmen or Rio de Janeiro?
Rio de Janeiro is 25% cheaper than Playa del Carmen. Daily budget $223 vs $166; a month $3,728 vs $2,821.
How do monthly costs compare between Playa del Carmen and Rio de Janeiro?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Playa del Carmen is about $3,728 and Rio de Janeiro about $2,821 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.