Playa del Carmen vs Riyadh

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Playa del Carmen is roughly 2% more affordable than Riyadh (index 32 vs 33, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Playa del Carmen
More affordable overall
2% cheaper than Riyadh · Cost index: 32 vs 33

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 Index33
1,545Median Income /mo2,285
65Safety Index75
20Income Tax %0
52Internet (Mbps)129
235Coworking /mo320

Price Breakdown

Playa del CarmenCategoryRiyadh
$1,050/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
9% ← cheaper
$960/month
$1.1/liter
Meal for One
31% cheaper →
$1.6/liter
$12/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
$12/meal
$45/month
Monthly Transit Pass
7% ← cheaper
$42/month
$120/month
Utilities (Monthly)
17% ← cheaper
$100/month
$60/visit
Doctor Visit
29% cheaper →
$85/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Playa del Carmen

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

Riyadh

Internet129 Mbps
Coworking$320/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitygrowing
Walkability45/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Playa del Carmen cheaper than Riyadh?

Playa del Carmen is cheaper than Riyadh. Playa del Carmen has a cost of living index of 32/100 compared to 33/100 for Riyadh (New York = 100), making it roughly 2% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Playa del Carmen than Riyadh?

Playa del Carmen is approximately 2% cheaper than Riyadh based on cost index scores (32 vs 33, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Riyadh could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,949/month in Playa del Carmen.

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

In Playa del Carmen, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $1,050/month. In Riyadh, the equivalent is around $960/month.

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

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Playa del Carmen offers 52 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$235/month. Riyadh offers 129 Mbps and coworking at ~$320/month. Playa del Carmen has a cost advantage of 2%.

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

The median net monthly salary in Playa del Carmen is approximately $1,545 USD, compared to $2,285 USD in Riyadh.

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