Austin vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads
Austin, United States 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 43% cheaper than Austin for a month of nomad living ($1,670 vs $2,950).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $820 in Playa del Carmen against $1,500 in Austin.
- Both score 7/10 on safety.
- Internet is faster in Austin: 250 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Austin is temperate; Playa del Carmen is tropical.
Austin wins 1 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 6.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Austin or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen is cheaper: about $1,670/month against $2,950/month in Austin, roughly 43% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Austin or Playa del Carmen?
Austin and Playa del Carmen score the same on safety, 7/10 each.
Which has faster internet, Austin or Playa del Carmen?
Austin has faster typical internet: 250 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Playa del Carmen.
| Line | Austin | Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $2,950 | $1,670 |
| Rent | $1,500 | $820 |
| Food | $620 | $430 |
| Transport | $90 | $50 |
| Coworking | $200 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 250 | 80 |
| Climate | temperate | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | inland | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 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): Austin September 11, 2026, Playa del Carmen November 3, 2026.