Playa del Carmen vs San Miguel de Allende
Cost of living comparison for expats considering Playa del Carmen or San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
Based on a typical expat lifestyle
San Miguel de Allende is 22% cheaper than Playa del Carmen
Monthly savings
$456
Mexico
Playa del Carmen
$2,093
$36,628
Mexico
San Miguel de Allende
$1,637
$28,648
Cheaper option
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.
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel operates on two parallel tracks: English-language rental sites charge 30-50% premium over Spanish listings on Inmuebles24 and Segundamano. The Tuesday tianguis market is essential for local prices. Healthcare offers 60-80% savings vs US prices. The walkable centro means many skip car ownership entirely. Water is unsafe due to arsenic/fluoride—budget $15-20/month for garrafones or reverse osmosis.
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These estimates use a typical expat profile. Adjust housing, dining, and lifestyle preferences to match your actual situation.
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