Global Cost Guide

Author: Global Cost Guide

  • Cost of Living in Mexico City: 2026 Monthly Budget Guide

    Mexico City (CDMX) has exploded in popularity with remote workers, especially North Americans — a convenient time zone, a vibrant food and culture scene, great weather, and costs well below US cities. Roma and Condesa are the expat heartland.

    Quick answer: monthly cost of living in Mexico City

    A single person lives well on roughly US$1,300–$2,400/month.

    ExpenseSingle person (monthly, USD)
    Rent (1-bed apartment)$600–$1,300
    Utilities & internet$50–$100
    Groceries$180–$320
    Eating out & coffee$200–$450
    Transport (metro/Uber)$40–$120
    Health insurance$50–$150
    Estimated total$1,300–$2,400

    Rent in Mexico City

    A furnished one-bedroom in Roma or Condesa runs $900–$1,400/month — the most walkable, English-friendly areas. Slightly further out (Juárez, Escandón, Del Valle, Narvarte) you find comparable apartments for $600–$950.

    Food and groceries

    Street tacos and market comida corrida set menus cost $3–$6, while trendy restaurants are priced closer to US levels. Most people spend $400–$750/month on food combined.

    Transport

    CDMX has a huge, extremely cheap metro (about $0.30 per ride) plus cheap Uber/Didi rides ($3–$7 across town). Budget $40–$120/month.

    Health insurance

    Private healthcare is good and affordable. Expats typically carry international or nomad insurance at $50–$150/month.

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    Is Mexico City expensive?

    By US standards, no — CDMX is a bargain. Roma and Condesa have gentrified quickly and command premium rents, so live one neighbourhood over, use the metro, and eat local, and a single person is very comfortable around $1,500/month.

    Mexico City at a glance

    • Best value near the action: Juárez, Escandón, Del Valle, Narvarte
    • Metro fare: ~$0.30
    • Comida corrida set lunch: $3–$6
    • Comfortable single budget: $1,300–$2,400/month
    • Currency: Mexican peso (MXN)

    Costs are approximate and change over time. Check current listings before you move.

  • Cost of Living in Bali (Canggu): 2026 Monthly Budget Guide

    Bali — and Canggu in particular — is the spiritual home of the digital nomad. Beaches, cafes built for laptop work, coworking spaces, a huge international community, and low costs make it a magnet for remote workers.

    Quick answer: monthly cost of living in Canggu, Bali

    A single person typically spends US$1,200–$2,200/month in Canggu.

    ExpenseSingle person (monthly, USD)
    Rent (1-bed villa/apartment)$450–$1,000
    Utilities & internet$60–$120
    Groceries$150–$300
    Eating out & cafes$250–$500
    Scooter rental & fuel$60–$100
    Health insurance$45–$130
    Estimated total$1,200–$2,200

    Rent in Canggu

    A room in a shared villa starts around $350–$500/month. A private one-bedroom or small villa runs $500–$900, and a modern villa with a private pool can be $1,000–$1,800+. Monthly and yearly leases are far cheaper than nightly rates.

    Food and groceries

    Local warungs serve full meals for $2–$4. Canggu’s famous health-food and brunch cafes are priced closer to Western levels ($6–$12 a meal), which is where budgets quietly balloon.

    Transport

    Everyone rides a scooter in Bali. Monthly rental is $50–$90, plus a few dollars a week for fuel. Always wear a helmet and make sure your insurance covers scooter use.

    Health insurance

    For anything serious most expats want evacuation cover. Nomad or international insurance runs $45–$130/month and should specifically include motorbike accidents.

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    Is Bali cheap?

    Canggu is still affordable by Western standards, but it is the most expensive part of Bali. Live in Ubud or Sanur, eat at warungs, and take a long-term villa lease, and $1,300/month is very comfortable.

    Bali (Canggu) at a glance

    • Cheaper alternatives: Ubud, Sanur, Pererenan
    • Scooter rental: $50–$90/month
    • Warung meal: $2–$4
    • Comfortable single budget: $1,200–$2,200/month
    • Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR)

    Costs are approximate and change over time. Check current listings before you move.

  • Cost of Living in Bangkok: 2026 Monthly Budget Guide

    Bangkok is one of the world’s great value destinations for remote workers and expats — a modern megacity with world-class street food, fast internet, cheap transport, and a large expat community.

    Quick answer: monthly cost of living in Bangkok

    A single person lives comfortably on roughly ฿45,000–฿80,000/month (about US$1,300–$2,300).

    ExpenseSingle person (monthly)
    Rent (1-bed condo)฿15,000–฿35,000
    Utilities & internet฿2,000–฿4,000
    Groceries฿6,000–฿10,000
    Eating out & street food฿6,000–฿15,000
    Transport (BTS/MRT/taxi)฿2,000–฿4,000
    Health insurance฿2,500–฿6,000
    Estimated total฿45,000–฿80,000

    Rent in Bangkok

    A modern furnished one-bedroom condo — usually with a pool, gym, and security — costs ฿15,000–฿25,000/month in mid-range areas like On Nut, Phra Khanong, or Ratchada. Prime central areas run ฿25,000–฿40,000+.

    Food and groceries

    Food is Bangkok’s superpower. Street food and local restaurants are excellent and cheap — a delicious meal is ฿50–฿100. Many expats simply eat out since imported Western groceries are pricey.

    Transport

    The BTS Skytrain and MRT subway are clean, cheap (฿17–฿62 per ride), and let you skip the traffic. Budget ฿2,000–฿4,000/month.

    Health insurance

    Thailand has excellent, affordable private hospitals. International or nomad health insurance runs ฿2,500–฿6,000/month and is strongly recommended.

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    Is Bangkok cheap?

    Yes — Bangkok remains one of the best value big cities in the world, especially if you embrace local food and use the BTS/MRT. Live a semi-local lifestyle and ฿55,000/month is very comfortable.

    Bangkok at a glance

    • Best value areas: On Nut, Phra Khanong, Ratchada
    • Street food meal: ฿50–฿100
    • Comfortable single budget: ฿45,000–฿80,000/month (~US$1,300–$2,300)
    • Currency: Thai baht (฿)

    Costs are approximate and change over time. Check current listings before you move.

  • Cost of Living in Lisbon: 2026 Monthly Budget Guide

    Lisbon has become one of Europe’s most popular destinations for expats, remote workers, and digital nomads — sunny weather, a walkable historic centre, fast internet, and prices still below Western Europe. Costs have risen sharply, so here is what you can realistically expect to spend each month.

    Quick answer: monthly cost of living in Lisbon

    For a single person, a comfortable monthly budget in Lisbon is roughly €1,600–€2,600, depending mainly on rent and lifestyle. A couple sharing a one-bedroom can often live well on €2,400–€3,500 combined.

    ExpenseSingle person (monthly)
    Rent (1-bed apartment)€900–€1,600
    Utilities & internet€100–€160
    Groceries€200–€300
    Eating out & coffee€150–€350
    Public transport€40 (monthly pass)
    Health insurance€40–€120
    Entertainment & extras€150–€300
    Estimated total€1,600–€2,600

    Rent in Lisbon

    Rent is the biggest cost and the one that has climbed the most. In central and popular areas (Príncipe Real, Alfama, Bairro Alto, Cais do Sodré), a furnished one-bedroom typically runs €1,100–€1,600/month. Neighbourhoods like Marvila, Benfica, or Almada offer one-bedrooms from €800–€1,100. A room in a shared flat starts around €500–€750.

    Food and groceries

    Groceries run about €200–€300/month if you cook most meals. Eating out is where Lisbon still shines: a prato do dia lunch costs €8–€12, a bica coffee €0.80–€1.50, and a mid-range dinner for two with wine €40–€60.

    Transport

    Lisbon has excellent, cheap public transport. A monthly Navegante pass covering metro, trams, and buses is just €40. Most expats skip owning a car entirely.

    Health insurance

    Portugal has good public healthcare, but most newcomers carry private or international insurance — expect €40–€120/month.

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    Is Lisbon expensive?

    Compared to the rest of Western Europe, Lisbon is still a relative bargain — but no longer “cheap.” A longer-term lease outside the touristy streets, cooking at home a few nights a week, and the €40 transport pass keeps a single person comfortable around €1,800/month.

    Lisbon at a glance

    • Best value neighbourhoods: Marvila, Benfica, Almada
    • Monthly transport pass: €40
    • Typical 1-bed rent (central): €1,100–€1,600
    • Comfortable single budget: €1,600–€2,600/month
    • Currency: Euro (€)

    Costs are approximate and change over time. Check current rental listings before you move.

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