Manila vs Playa del Carmen: cost of living for digital nomads
Manila, Philippines 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
- Manila is about 22% cheaper than Playa del Carmen for a month of nomad living ($1,300 vs $1,670).
- Rent is the biggest gap: $560 in Manila against $820 in Playa del Carmen.
- Playa del Carmen scores higher on safety (7/10 vs 6/10).
- Internet is faster in Manila: 90 Mbps typical against 80 Mbps.
- Both have a tropical climate.
Manila wins 5 of the measured lines; Playa del Carmen wins 3.
Frequently asked questions
Which city is cheaper, Manila or Playa del Carmen?
Manila is cheaper: about $1,300/month against $1,670/month in Playa del Carmen, roughly 22% less for a typical remote worker's budget.
Which city is safer, Manila or Playa del Carmen?
Playa del Carmen scores higher on safety: 7/10 against 6/10 for Manila.
Which has faster internet, Manila or Playa del Carmen?
Manila has faster typical internet: 90 Mbps against 80 Mbps in Playa del Carmen.
| Line | Manila | Playa del Carmen |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly total (USD) | $1,300 | $1,670 |
| Rent | $560 | $820 |
| Food | $350 | $430 |
| Transport | $60 | $50 |
| Coworking | $120 | $130 |
| Safety (out of 10) | 6/10 | 7/10 |
| Internet (Mbps) | 90 | 80 |
| Climate | tropical | tropical |
| City size | metro | mid |
| Setting | coast | coast |
| Nomad score (out of 10) | 7/10 | 9/10 |
Compare Manila with
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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. Cost figures verified (Eastern Time): Manila November 9, 2026, Playa del Carmen November 3, 2026.