Playa del Carmen vs Houston

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Playa del Carmen is roughly 0% more affordable than Houston (index 32 vs 32, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Playa del Carmen
More affordable overall
0% cheaper than Houston · Cost index: 32 vs 32

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

32Cost Index32
1,545Median Income /mo3,850
65Safety Index42
20Income Tax %0
52Internet (Mbps)315
235Coworking /mo274

Price Breakdown

Playa del CarmenCategoryHouston
$1,050/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
14% cheaper →
$1,225/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
4% cheaper →
$1.15/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
14% cheaper →
$14/meal
$45/month
Monthly Transit Pass
36% cheaper →
$70/month
$120/month
Utilities (Monthly)
33% cheaper →
$180/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
50% cheaper →
$120/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Playa del Carmen

Internet52 Mbps
Coworking$235/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitylarge
Walkability78/100

Houston

Internet315 Mbps
Coworking$274/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitysmall
Walkability42/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Houston?

Playa del Carmen is cheaper than Houston. Playa del Carmen has a cost of living index of 32/100 compared to 32/100 for Houston (New York = 100), making it roughly 0% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Playa del Carmen than Houston?

Playa del Carmen is approximately 0% cheaper than Houston based on cost index scores (32 vs 32, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Houston could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $3,000/month in Playa del Carmen.

What is the rent comparison between Playa del Carmen and Houston?

In Playa del Carmen, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,050/month. In Houston, the equivalent is around $1,225/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Playa del Carmen or Houston?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Playa del Carmen offers 52 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$235/month. Houston offers 315 Mbps and coworking at ~$274/month. Playa del Carmen has a cost advantage of 0%.

What is the average income in Playa del Carmen vs Houston?

The median net monthly salary in Playa del Carmen is approximately $1,545 USD, compared to $3,850 USD in Houston.

Compare Playa del Carmen with…

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