Bali vs Cape Town
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~44% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Cape Town
South Africa
COL+Rent
28.5
Rent Index
15.3
Groceries
36.5
Restaurant
40.5
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bali | Cape Town | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $299 | $667 | $368 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $202 | $460 | $258 |
| Groceries | $170 | $218 | $48 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $16 | $13 |
| Transit Pass | $10 | $36 | $26 |
| Utilities | $39 | $100 | $61 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bali | Cape Town |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $382/mo | $813/mo |
| Typical | $563/mo | $1,261/mo |
| Comfortable | $687/mo | $1,645/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bali | ≈ in Cape Town | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $2,672/mo | +$1,172 |
| $2,000/mo | $3,563/mo | +$1,563 |
| $3,000/mo | $5,344/mo | +$2,344 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bali vs Cape Town for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 44% more affordable than Cape Town when combining rent and daily living costs. Bali's COL+Rent Index of 16 vs Cape Town's 28.5 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Bali costs $299/month versus $667/month in Cape Town — giving Bali a $368/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $4,416 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bali ($170/mo) vs Cape Town ($218/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $16 show Bali is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Bali offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $563 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.