😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,448 in Mexico City versus $944 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,354 in Mexico City versus $1,661 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,260 in Mexico City versus $2,379 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 53% more expensive than Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 9% above, Denpasar, Bali is 29% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.96MX$223
$2.28Rp 40.4K
468.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.3MX$900
$21.46Rp 380.1K
143.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.69MX$167
$3.35Rp 59.4K
189.25%
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$64.6
$1.83Rp 32.4K
104.92%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56MX$26.91
$0.94Rp 16.6K
65.96%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.16MX$19.93
$0.46Rp 8,212
152.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.24MX$55.8
$1.95Rp 34.6K
66.15%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.90MX$84.3
$2.62Rp 46.3K
87.02%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.70MX$29.29
$1.44Rp 25.6K
18.06%
White Bread(500g)
$2.67MX$45.90
$1.98Rp 35.1K
34.85%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.89MX$32.49
$0.98Rp 17.4K
92.86%
Eggs
$2.52MX$43.37
$1.91Rp 33.8K
31.94%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.02MX$172
$12.05Rp 213.5K
-16.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.53MX$147
$3.49Rp 61.7K
144.41%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$205
$9.88Rp 174.9K
20.85%
Apples(1kg)
$2.97MX$51.1
$3.02Rp 53.4K
-1.66%
Banana(1kg)
$1.79MX$30.88
$1.30Rp 23.1K
37.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00MX$34.40
$2.30Rp 40.7K
-13.04%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.96MX$33.74
$1.84Rp 32.6K
6.52%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.21
$1.54Rp 27.2K
40.26%
Onion(1kg)
$2.27MX$39.04
$1.81Rp 32.0K
25.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.40MX$24.14
$0.80Rp 14.3K
75.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.11MX$19.18
$0.63Rp 11.2K
76.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$72.2
$2.56Rp 45.3K
64.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$16.54MX$285
$19.31Rp 342.0K
-14.34%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68MX$28.94
$2.31Rp 41.0K
-27.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59MX$61.8
$2.30Rp 40.7K
56.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.65
$0.24Rp 4,212
62.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$19.19MX$330
$7.51Rp 133.1K
155.53%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.38MX$23.77
$0.41Rp 7,231
236.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.19
$0.39Rp 6,831
-23.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.39MX$92.7
$5.48Rp 97.1K
-1.64%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.29MX$22.13
$0.73Rp 12.9K
76.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$325.1K
$23.0KRp 407.9M
-17.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.8KMX$409.5K
$28.7KRp 508.0M
-17.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.86MX$686
$72.5Rp 1.3M
-45.05%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83MX$479
$3.54Rp 62.8K
686.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.77MX$512
$21.75Rp 385.4K
36.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$52.0MX$894
$68.2Rp 1.2M
-23.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.22MX$451
$4.49Rp 79.5K
483.96%
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$108
$2.89Rp 51.3K
116.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$433MX$7,443
$236Rp 4.2M
83.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$181.3K
$5,148Rp 91.2M
104.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$57.0MX$981
$46.50Rp 823.7K
22.58%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.33MX$780
$33.43Rp 592.2K
35.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$102MX$1,753
$75.1Rp 1.3M
35.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109MX$1,867
$67.7Rp 1.2M
60.39%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$994MX$17.1K
$532Rp 9.4M
86.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$617MX$10.6K
$356Rp 6.3M
73.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,086MX$35.9K
$1,767Rp 31.3M
18.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,256MX$21.6K
$1,063Rp 18.8M
18.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,936MX$67.7K
$1,465Rp 26.0M
168.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,089MX$35.9K
$1,214Rp 21.5M
72.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,131MX$19.5K
$333Rp 5.9M
239.30%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.34
13.28
-14.61%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mexico City: June 14, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $994 in Mexico City and $532 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mexico City pays 239% 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: $52.0 in Mexico City vs $21.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $292 vs $244 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
Mexico City vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali?
Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 53% in total monthly costs ($1,448 vs $944 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?
Mexico City pays 239% more on average, 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $994 in Mexico City versus $532 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 $1,448 per month in Mexico City versus $944 in Denpasar, Bali – a 53% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Mexico City and Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 156% 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 $944 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,448 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 53% 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