Addu City vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads
Addu City, Maldives and Playa del Carmen, Mexico, line by line from the catalogue: what a month costs, rent, food, coworking, safety and internet. Every figure links back to its source on the city page.
The short version
- Addu City is about 2% cheaper than Playa del Carmen for a month of nomad living ($1,640 vs $1,670).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $700 in Addu City against $820 in Playa del Carmen.
- Addu City scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
- Internet is faster in Playa del Carmen: 80 Mbps typical against 70 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Addu City wins 5 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Addu City or Playa del Carmen?
Addu City is cheaper: about $1,640/month against $1,670/month in Playa del Carmen, roughly 2% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Addu City or Playa del Carmen?
Addu City scores higher on safety: 8/10 against 7/10 for Playa del Carmen.
Which has faster internet, Addu City or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen has faster typical internet: 80 Mbps against 70 Mbps in Addu City.
| Line | Addu City | Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,640 | $1,670 |
| Rent | $700 | $820 |
| Food | $470 | $430 |
| Transport | $35 | $50 |
| Coworking | $95 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 8/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 70 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | small | mid |
| Setting | island | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 5/10 | 9/10 |
Compare Playa del Carmen with
Costs are typical monthly figures for one person in USD, from the sources named on each city page; safety and internet are the catalogue's own ratings. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Addu City September 11, 2026, Playa del Carmen November 3, 2026.