Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Denpasar, Bali: $896 a month against $1,561 in Mexico City, rent and utilities included – about $8,000 less a year. Other living expenses account for most of the difference.

Mexico City
🇲🇽 Mexico
$1,561
/mo nomad
Denpasar, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$896
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mexico City and in Denpasar, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Mexico City and in Denpasar, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,561 in Mexico City versus $896 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Mexico City $1,561
  • Denpasar, Bali $896

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,440 in Mexico City versus $1,522 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Mexico City $2,440
  • Denpasar, Bali $1,522

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,319 in Mexico City versus $2,148 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Mexico City $3,319
  • Denpasar, Bali $2,148

Living in Mexico City is roughly 74% more expensive than in Denpasar, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 16% above, Denpasar, Bali is 33% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.12 MX$202
$2.20 Rp 39.4K
405.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$48.99 MX$891
$23.17 Rp 414.6K
111.44%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$11.23 MX$204
$3.91 Rp 70.0K
187.21%
Cappuccino
$3.76 MX$68.4
$1.75 Rp 31.4K
114.86%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.65 MX$30.05
$1.08 Rp 19.3K
52.78%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 MX$23.27
$0.51 Rp 9,211
150.98%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.26 MX$59.2
$1.82 Rp 32.6K
79.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.66 MX$103
$2.98 Rp 53.3K
89.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 MX$32.92
$1.28 Rp 22.8K
41.41%
White Bread (500g)
$2.94 MX$53.5
$1.87 Rp 33.4K
57.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.05 MX$37.27
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
102.97%
Eggs
$2.93 MX$53.2
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
68.39%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.95 MX$217
$13.76 Rp 246.1K
-13.15%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.51 MX$173
$3.20 Rp 57.2K
197.19%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.84 MX$270
$9.61 Rp 171.9K
54.42%
Apples (1kg)
$3.14 MX$57.2
$2.95 Rp 52.9K
6.44%
Banana (1kg)
$2.01 MX$36.65
$1.26 Rp 22.5K
59.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.08 MX$37.75
$1.81 Rp 32.5K
14.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.22 MX$40.35
$1.56 Rp 27.9K
42.31%
Potato (1kg)
$2.06 MX$37.47
$1.52 Rp 27.3K
35.53%
Onion (1kg)
$1.88 MX$34.14
$1.96 Rp 35.0K
-4.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.48 MX$26.93
$0.78 Rp 13.9K
89.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.35 MX$24.47
$0.43 Rp 7,743
213.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.41 MX$98.4
$1.85 Rp 33.1K
192.43%
Wine (Bottle)
$16.86 MX$307
$18.22 Rp 326.0K
-7.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.98 MX$36.09
$1.94 Rp 34.7K
2.06%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 MX$78.7
$2.39 Rp 42.7K
80.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 MX$6.27
$0.24 Rp 4,304
41.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$20.23 MX$368
$7.17 Rp 128.3K
182.15%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.10 MX$38.11
$0.40 Rp 7,112
425.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.53 MX$9.65
$0.42 Rp 7,428
26.19%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 MX$98.3
$3.12 Rp 55.9K
73.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.52 MX$27.65
$0.75 Rp 13.4K
102.67%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.7K MX$395.3K
$21.5K Rp 384.3M
1.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.8K MX$451.4K
$28.0K Rp 501.7M
-11.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.0 MX$1,145
$72.7 Rp 1.3M
-13.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.88 MX$525
$5.91 Rp 105.7K
388.66%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$33.93 MX$617
$16.47 Rp 294.6K
106.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.8 MX$1,015
$39.87 Rp 713.2K
39.90%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$24.90 MX$453
$12.71 Rp 227.4K
95.91%
Cinema Ticket
$6.77 MX$123
$3.01 Rp 53.8K
124.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$428 MX$7,781
$381 Rp 6.8M
12.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.9K MX$216.0K
$4,359 Rp 78.0M
172.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0 MX$1,274
$39.61 Rp 708.5K
76.80%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$53.7 MX$977
$29.69 Rp 531.2K
80.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$110 MX$1,997
$67.8 Rp 1.2M
61.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 MX$2,096
$68.1 Rp 1.2M
69.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,062 MX$19.3K
$594 Rp 10.6M
78.77%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$671 MX$12.2K
$353 Rp 6.3M
90.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,379 MX$43.3K
$1,822 Rp 32.6M
30.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,260 MX$22.9K
$915 Rp 16.4M
37.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,716 MX$67.6K
$1,461 Rp 26.1M
154.32%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,976 MX$35.9K
$1,189 Rp 21.3M
66.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$997 MX$18.1K
$284 Rp 5.1M
250.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.3
13.78
-18.00%

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

Last update for Mexico City: October 6, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: October 3, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
$671
Denpasar, Bali
$353 47.4% $318
Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
$327
Denpasar, Bali
$234 28.5% $93
Eating Out
Mexico City
$207
Denpasar, Bali
$72 65.3% $135
Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
$157
Denpasar, Bali
$92 41.1% $65
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
$126
Denpasar, Bali
$95 24.4% $31
Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
$69
Denpasar, Bali
$46 33.8% $23
Getting Around
Mexico City
$26
Denpasar, Bali
$11 59.7% $16

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,062 in Mexico City and $594 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mexico City pays 251% 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: $49.00 in Mexico City vs $23.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $327 vs $234 per month, with Denpasar, Bali cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇲🇽 Mexico City
🇮🇩 Denpasar, Bali
🕒 Local time
00:45 12:45 AM
14:45 2:45 PM
14 h ahead of Mexico City
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
9,209,944 Capital
788,445
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to MXN – Mexican Peso Converter

Mexican Peso exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 18.19 MXN (100 MXN = 5.5 USD). 1 EUR = 20.4 MXN (100 MXN = 4.9 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 17,890 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.59 USD). 1 EUR = 20,065 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.98 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mexico City Denpasar, Bali 16,130 km ≈ 21 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mexico City
  • Denpasar, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Mexico City vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and in Denpasar, Bali?
Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 74% in total monthly costs ($1,561 vs $896 including rent). Denpasar, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mexico City or Denpasar, Bali?
Average pay runs 251% higher in Mexico City, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Mexico City and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,062 in Mexico City versus $594 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mexico City or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $1,561 per month in Mexico City versus $896 in Denpasar, Bali – a 74% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and in Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 182% 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 $896 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,561 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 Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali?
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 Mexico City or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali 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: Mexico City or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Denpasar, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 74% less than in Mexico City. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Mexico City vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?