Playa del Carmen vs Puerto Vallarta
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Playa del Carmen or Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
Playa del Carmen is 8% cheaper than Puerto Vallarta
Monthly savings
$182
Mexico
Playa del Carmen
$2,093
$36,628
Cheaper option
Mexico
Puerto Vallarta
$2,275
$39,813
Category Breakdown
Housing (Rent)
Utilities
Groceries
Dining Out
Transportation
Lifestyle & Entertainment
Healthcare
Phone & Subscriptions
Based on a typical expat lifestyle: 1BR furnished apartment in mid-range neighborhood, mix of cooking/eating out, rideshare transportation, moderate entertainment, basic health insurance.
City Insights
Playa del Carmen
Playa del Carmen operates on stark seasonal pricing—high season (December-April) commands 30-40% premiums over low season. Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 run 15-25% cheaper than English-language platforms. The Sunday tianguis on Calle 54 offers produce 30-50% cheaper than supermarkets. Watch out for the DAC electricity trap—heavy A/C use can triple bills. Healthcare is 60-80% cheaper than US prices. Colectivos to Tulum cost just $2.85.
Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta runs pricier than non-beach Mexican cities—you're paying for ocean access and established infrastructure. The critical electricity warning: exceeding 850-1,000 kWh monthly average triggers DAC (high consumption) rates, which can TRIPLE your bill overnight. English-language rental listings run 20-40% higher than Spanish sources (Inmuebles24, Facebook Marketplace). Seasonality is extreme—the same apartment costs 15,000 pesos in September but 30,000 in January. Water scarcity is real: 60% less rainfall recently, aging infrastructure, intermittent shutoffs. LGBTQ+ community is Mexico's strongest—the city won the 2024 Magellan Award for Best LGBTQ+ Destination. Healthcare quality rivals the US at 50-70% savings.
Customize This Comparison
These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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