🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $904 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,682 in Mexico City.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,516 in Denpasar, Bali versus $2,599 in Mexico City.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,128 in Denpasar, Bali versus $3,516 in Mexico City.
🌍Living in Denpasar, Bali costs roughly 46% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Denpasar, Bali is 34% below, Mexico City is 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.22Rp 39.5K
$11.83MX$200
-81.23%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.63Rp 455.6K
$52.2MX$884
-50.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.59Rp 63.8K
$10.87MX$184
-66.97%
Cappuccino
$1.75Rp 31.1K
$4.03MX$68.2
-56.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.12Rp 20.0K
$1.71MX$28.99
-34.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48Rp 8,553
$1.34MX$22.70
-64.18%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.76Rp 31.2K
$3.39MX$57.5
-48.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84Rp 50.5K
$5.74MX$97.3
-50.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30Rp 23.2K
$1.89MX$31.99
-31.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.85Rp 32.9K
$3.17MX$53.8
-41.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84Rp 15.0K
$2.05MX$34.74
-59.02%
Eggs
$1.75Rp 31.1K
$3.01MX$51.1
-41.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.26Rp 253.5K
$12.61MX$214
13.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.24Rp 57.7K
$9.94MX$169
-67.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.77Rp 173.6K
$16.00MX$271
-38.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.90Rp 51.5K
$3.28MX$55.6
-11.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.1K
$2.06MX$34.87
-36.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.84Rp 32.7K
$2.09MX$35.36
-11.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.65Rp 29.3K
$2.50MX$42.44
-34.00%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51Rp 26.9K
$2.05MX$34.76
-26.34%
Onion(1kg)
$1.76Rp 31.4K
$1.87MX$31.70
-5.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83Rp 14.8K
$1.57MX$26.66
-47.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,424
$1.39MX$23.64
-69.78%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.85Rp 32.9K
$5.38MX$91.2
-65.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.92Rp 336.4K
$17.95MX$304
5.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92Rp 34.2K
$2.02MX$34.31
-4.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33Rp 41.4K
$4.76MX$80.7
-51.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.22Rp 3,885
$0.36MX$6.13
-38.89%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.41Rp 131.8K
$20.80MX$353
-64.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.43Rp 7,587
$2.06MX$34.92
-79.13%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,594
$0.56MX$9.55
-23.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.03Rp 53.9K
$5.82MX$98.6
-47.94%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.67Rp 12.0K
$1.54MX$26.05
-56.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.1KRp 393.7M
$22.5KMX$380.6K
-1.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2KRp 501.8M
$26.5KMX$448.7K
6.63%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.5Rp 1.3M
$66.0MX$1,118
11.41%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.84Rp 103.7K
$30.98MX$525
-81.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.79Rp 298.4K
$36.20MX$613
-53.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.72Rp 705.9K
$57.5MX$975
-30.96%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.98Rp 230.7K
$26.75MX$453
-51.48%
Cinema Ticket
$3.14Rp 55.8K
$7.13MX$121
-55.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$382Rp 6.8M
$457MX$7,738
-16.39%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,482Rp 79.7M
$13.2KMX$224.5K
-66.16%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.48Rp 701.6K
$75.8MX$1,285
-47.94%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.40Rp 540.3K
$54.1MX$917
-43.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.0Rp 1.2M
$116MX$1,974
-41.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.5Rp 1.2M
$122MX$2,063
-44.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$596Rp 10.6M
$1,147MX$19.4K
-48.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$359Rp 6.4M
$726MX$12.3K
-50.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,828Rp 32.5M
$2,503MX$42.4K
-26.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$903Rp 16.0M
$1,331MX$22.6K
-32.15%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,460Rp 25.9M
$3,895MX$66.0K
-62.51%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,180Rp 21.0M
$2,149MX$36.4K
-45.11%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$276Rp 4.9M
$1,069MX$18.1K
-74.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
11.35
21.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: August 17, 2026
Last update for Mexico City: August 17, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $596 in Denpasar, Bali and $1,147 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 287% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $52.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $237 vs $344 per month, with Denpasar, Bali cheaper across the board.
City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)
The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Denpasar, Bali vs Mexico City: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Denpasar, Bali and in Mexico City?
Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City differ by about 86% in total monthly costs ($904 vs $1,682 including rent). Denpasar, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 287% lower in Mexico City. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $596 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,147 in Mexico City. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Denpasar, Bali or Mexico City?
All in, you'll spend $904 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,682 in Mexico City – a 86% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 181% less than in Mexico City. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $904 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,682 in Mexico City, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Denpasar, Bali but tight or insufficient in Mexico City. The gap between the two cities makes Denpasar, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Denpasar, Bali or Mexico City safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Denpasar, Bali or Mexico City?
Expats usually find Denpasar, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 86% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Denpasar, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared