Cost of Living Comparison Between Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City Cost of Living Comparison Between Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $940 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,484 in Mexico City.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,630 in Denpasar, Bali versus $2,381 in Mexico City.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,320 in Denpasar, Bali versus $3,278 in Mexico City.

Living in Denpasar, Bali costs roughly 37% less than in Mexico City, driven mainly by Eating Out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Denpasar, Bali is 30% below, Mexico City is 11% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38 Rp 41.3K
$12.98 MX$227
-81.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.86 Rp 379.0K
$53.1 MX$929
-58.81%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.30 Rp 57.2K
$9.72 MX$170
-66.05%
Cappuccino
$1.90 Rp 33.0K
$3.75 MX$65.6
-49.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 Rp 15.4K
$1.57 MX$27.46
-43.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 Rp 8,522
$1.13 MX$19.76
-56.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.95 Rp 33.8K
$3.18 MX$55.7
-38.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51 Rp 43.6K
$4.66 MX$81.6
-46.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 Rp 24.4K
$1.62 MX$28.37
-12.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.04 Rp 35.4K
$2.71 MX$47.36
-24.72%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.96 Rp 16.7K
$1.88 MX$32.89
-48.94%
Eggs
$2.00 Rp 34.7K
$2.51 MX$43.90
-20.32%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.70 Rp 202.8K
$10.08 MX$176
16.07%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.43 Rp 59.4K
$8.29 MX$145
-58.62%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.53 Rp 165.2K
$11.94 MX$209
-20.18%
Apples (1kg)
$3.10 Rp 53.8K
$2.86 MX$50.1
8.39%
Banana (1kg)
$1.26 Rp 21.8K
$1.75 MX$30.62
-28.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.29 Rp 39.6K
$2.08 MX$36.48
10.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.87 Rp 32.4K
$1.97 MX$34.46
-5.08%
Potato (1kg)
$1.62 Rp 28.0K
$2.16 MX$37.79
-25.00%
Onion (1kg)
$1.78 Rp 30.9K
$2.18 MX$38.16
-18.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.81 Rp 14.0K
$1.39 MX$24.34
-41.73%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58 Rp 9,999
$1.12 MX$19.69
-48.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64 Rp 45.8K
$4.20 MX$73.5
-37.14%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.10 Rp 331.1K
$14.25 MX$249
34.04%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32 Rp 40.1K
$1.76 MX$30.85
31.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 Rp 39.1K
$3.68 MX$64.5
-38.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 Rp 4,527
$0.39 MX$6.74
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.43 Rp 128.7K
$18.66 MX$327
-60.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.40 Rp 6,918
$1.39 MX$24.26
-71.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.41 Rp 7,189
$0.30 MX$5.32
36.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.40 Rp 93.6K
$5.42 MX$94.9
-0.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 Rp 13.2K
$1.35 MX$23.63
-43.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2K Rp 402.6M
$18.9K MX$330.5K
23.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K Rp 492.9M
$23.2K MX$405.2K
22.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$73.2 Rp 1.3M
$40.82 MX$714
79.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.67 Rp 63.7K
$27.50 MX$481
-86.65%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.40 Rp 370.9K
$30.38 MX$532
-29.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$69.5 Rp 1.2M
$53.4 MX$935
30.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.67 Rp 80.9K
$26.30 MX$460
-82.24%
Cinema Ticket
$2.81 Rp 48.7K
$6.27 MX$110
-55.18%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$234 Rp 4.1M
$436 MX$7,632
-46.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,114 Rp 88.6M
$10.5K MX$183.2K
-51.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.27 Rp 801.9K
$56.8 MX$993
-18.48%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20 Rp 558.1K
$44.79 MX$784
-28.11%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$74.0 Rp 1.3M
$103 MX$1,799
-28.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.2 Rp 1.2M
$108 MX$1,888
-37.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$512 Rp 8.9M
$1,000 MX$17.5K
-48.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$344 Rp 6.0M
$620 MX$10.9K
-44.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,804 Rp 31.3M
$2,137 MX$37.4K
-15.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,064 Rp 18.4M
$1,235 MX$21.6K
-13.82%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,591 Rp 27.6M
$3,865 MX$67.6K
-58.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,226 Rp 21.2M
$2,332 MX$40.8K
-47.44%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Mexico City
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$293 Rp 5.1M
$1,067 MX$18.7K
-72.58%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
11.34
17.11%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: April 26, 2026

Last update for Mexico City: April 27, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $512 in Denpasar, Bali and $1,000 in Mexico City. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mexico City pays 265% 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: $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $53.0 in Mexico City for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $242 vs $286 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 Mexico City?
Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City differ by about 58% in total monthly costs ($940 vs $1,484 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, Mexico City earns 265% less. 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 Mexico City?
Rent for a central apartment: $512 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,000 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 $940 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,484 in Mexico City – a 58% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Denpasar, Bali and Mexico City?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 151% 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 $940 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,484 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 58% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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