😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,484 in Mexico City versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,381 in Mexico City versus $1,630 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,278 in Mexico City versus $2,320 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Living in Mexico City is roughly 58% more expensive than Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mexico City is 11% above, Denpasar, Bali is 30% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.98MX$227
$2.38Rp 41.3K
445.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$53.1MX$929
$21.86Rp 379.0K
142.77%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.72MX$170
$3.30Rp 57.2K
194.55%
Cappuccino
$3.75MX$65.6
$1.90Rp 33.0K
97.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.57MX$27.46
$0.89Rp 15.4K
76.40%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.13MX$19.76
$0.49Rp 8,522
130.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.18MX$55.7
$1.95Rp 33.8K
63.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.66MX$81.6
$2.51Rp 43.6K
85.66%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.62MX$28.37
$1.41Rp 24.4K
14.89%
White Bread(500g)
$2.71MX$47.36
$2.04Rp 35.4K
32.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.88MX$32.89
$0.96Rp 16.7K
95.83%
Eggs
$2.51MX$43.90
$2.00Rp 34.7K
25.50%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.08MX$176
$11.70Rp 202.8K
-13.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.29MX$145
$3.43Rp 59.4K
141.69%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94MX$209
$9.53Rp 165.2K
25.29%
Apples(1kg)
$2.86MX$50.1
$3.10Rp 53.8K
-7.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.75MX$30.62
$1.26Rp 21.8K
38.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.08MX$36.48
$2.29Rp 39.6K
-9.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.97MX$34.46
$1.87Rp 32.4K
5.35%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16MX$37.79
$1.62Rp 28.0K
33.33%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18MX$38.16
$1.78Rp 30.9K
22.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.39MX$24.34
$0.81Rp 14.0K
71.60%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.12MX$19.69
$0.58Rp 9,999
93.10%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.20MX$73.5
$2.64Rp 45.8K
59.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.25MX$249
$19.10Rp 331.1K
-25.39%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76MX$30.85
$2.32Rp 40.1K
-24.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68MX$64.5
$2.26Rp 39.1K
62.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39MX$6.74
$0.26Rp 4,527
50.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.66MX$327
$7.43Rp 128.7K
151.14%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.39MX$24.26
$0.40Rp 6,918
247.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.30MX$5.32
$0.41Rp 7,189
-26.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.42MX$94.9
$5.40Rp 93.6K
0.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.35MX$23.63
$0.76Rp 13.2K
77.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.9KMX$330.5K
$23.2KRp 402.6M
-18.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.2KMX$405.2K
$28.4KRp 492.9M
-18.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.82MX$714
$73.2Rp 1.3M
-44.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.50MX$481
$3.67Rp 63.7K
649.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.38MX$532
$21.40Rp 370.9K
41.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$53.4MX$935
$69.5Rp 1.2M
-23.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$26.30MX$460
$4.67Rp 80.9K
463.17%
Cinema Ticket
$6.27MX$110
$2.81Rp 48.7K
123.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436MX$7,632
$234Rp 4.1M
86.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.5KMX$183.2K
$5,114Rp 88.6M
104.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8MX$993
$46.27Rp 801.9K
22.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$44.79MX$784
$32.20Rp 558.1K
39.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$103MX$1,799
$74.0Rp 1.3M
38.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$108MX$1,888
$67.2Rp 1.2M
60.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,000MX$17.5K
$512Rp 8.9M
95.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$620MX$10.9K
$344Rp 6.0M
80.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,137MX$37.4K
$1,804Rp 31.3M
18.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,235MX$21.6K
$1,064Rp 18.4M
16.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,865MX$67.6K
$1,591Rp 27.6M
142.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,332MX$40.8K
$1,226Rp 21.2M
90.28%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mexico City
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,067MX$18.7K
$293Rp 5.1M
264.75%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,000 in Mexico City and $512 in Denpasar, Bali. 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: $53.0 in Mexico City vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $286 vs $242 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 58% in total monthly costs ($1,484 vs $940 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 265% 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: $1,000 in Mexico City versus $512 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 $1,484 per month in Mexico City versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali – a 58% 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 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 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 58% 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