Amsterdam vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads

Amsterdam, Netherlands 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

  • Playa del Carmen is about 49% cheaper than Amsterdam for a month of nomad living ($1,670 vs $3,290).
  • Rent is the biggest gap: $820 in Playa del Carmen against $1,800 in Amsterdam.
  • Amsterdam scores higher on safety (8/10 vs 7/10).
  • Internet is faster in Amsterdam: 200 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
  • Amsterdam is temperate; Playa del Carmen is tropical.

Amsterdam wins 2 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 6.

LineAmsterdamPlaya del Carmen
Monthly total (USD)$3,290$1,670
Rent$1,800$820
Food$620$430
Transport$80$50
Coworking$230$130
Safety (out of 10)8/107/10
Internet (Mbps)20080
Climatetemperatetropical
City sizemetromid
Settinginlandcoast
Nomad score (out of 10)7/109/10

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

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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. Check the city pages for the dates each was last verified.