Bali vs Cape Town

Cost of living comparison for 2026. Cape Town is roughly 5% more affordable than Bali (index 20 vs 21, New York = 100). Data sourced live via AI — updated regularly.

Cape Town
More affordable overall
5% cheaper than Bali · Cost index: 20 vs 21

Life Power at $3,000/mo

The same salary ranks differently depending on where you live — from Beggar to King.

Head-to-Head Stats

21Cost Index20
350Median Income /mo1,620
50Safety Index50
15Income Tax %16
48Internet (Mbps)75
125Coworking /mo110

Price Breakdown

BaliCategoryCape Town
$600/month
1-BR Apartment (Center)
45% cheaper →
$1,100/month
$1.4/liter
Meal for One
29% ← cheaper
$1/liter
$2/meal
Restaurant (Mid-range)
82% cheaper →
$11/meal
$8/month
Monthly Transit Pass
85% cheaper →
$55/month
$45/month
Utilities (Monthly)
44% cheaper →
$80/month
$45/visit
Doctor Visit
25% cheaper →
$60/visit

Digital Nomad Profile

Bali

Internet48 Mbps
Coworking$125/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishmoderate
Communitylarge
Walkability35/100

Cape Town

Internet75 Mbps
Coworking$110/mo
Café WiFigood
Englishhigh
Communitygrowing
Walkability70/100

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bali cheaper than Cape Town?

Cape Town is cheaper than Bali. Cape Town has a cost of living index of 20/100 compared to 21/100 for Bali (New York = 100), making it roughly 5% more affordable overall.

How much cheaper is Cape Town than Bali?

Cape Town is approximately 5% cheaper than Bali based on cost index scores (20 vs 21, where New York = 100). A person spending $3,000/month in Bali could live a similar lifestyle for roughly $2,842/month in Cape Town.

What is the rent comparison between Bali and Cape Town?

In Bali, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs approximately $600/month. In Cape Town, the equivalent is around $1,100/month.

Which city is better for digital nomads — Bali or Cape Town?

Both cities have nomad infrastructure. Bali offers 48 Mbps internet and coworking at ~$125/month. Cape Town offers 75 Mbps and coworking at ~$110/month. Cape Town has a cost advantage of 5%.

What is the average income in Bali vs Cape Town?

The median net monthly salary in Bali is approximately $350 USD, compared to $1,620 USD in Cape Town.

Compare Bali with…

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