Bali vs Mexico City
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~54% 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
Mexico City
Mexico
COL+Rent
34.8
Rent Index
23.8
Groceries
42
Restaurant
30.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bali | Mexico City | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $299 | $922 | $623 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $202 | $602 | $400 |
| Groceries | $170 | $253 | $83 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $12 | $9 |
| Transit Pass | $10 | $26 | $16 |
| Utilities | $39 | $59 | $20 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bali | Mexico City |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $382/mo | $912/mo |
| Typical | $563/mo | $1,440/mo |
| Comfortable | $687/mo | $1,809/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bali | ≈ in Mexico City | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,262/mo | +$1,762 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,350/mo | +$2,350 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,525/mo | +$3,525 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bali vs Mexico City for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 54% more affordable than Mexico City when combining rent and daily living costs. Bali's COL+Rent Index of 16 vs Mexico City's 34.8 (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 $922/month in Mexico City — giving Bali a $623/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,476 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bali ($170/mo) vs Mexico City ($253/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $12 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.