Mauritius and Bali – two islands on the Indian Ocean with very different offerings – where would you rather live

Cost of living

Mauritius: Mauritius, while not as inexpensive as Bali, still offers a relatively reasonable cost of living compared to many Western nations. Prices can vary depending on your lifestyle and location on the island, with urban areas being more expensive.

Bali: Bali is generally known for its relatively affordable cost of living compared to many Western countries. However, the cost of living can vary significantly depending on your lifestyle and address. The accommodation, food, and transportation costs can be pretty reasonable, especially if you live in local areas.

According to Living Cost, a crowdsourced database with a cost of living calculator for 9,294 cities in 197 countries worldwide, the cost of living in Bali is 1.02 times higher than in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. The calculation is based on a consumer basket assuming a moderate lifestyle and average consumption.

Port Louis vs Bali

Property market

Mauritius: Mauritius has a more developed and regulated property market. Foreigners can purchase property under certain conditions, and there are designated real estate schemes for non-citizens that facilitate property investment.

Bali: Bali’s property market has experienced significant growth over the years, particularly in popular tourist areas like Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. However, foreign land ownership in Bali can be complicated, and many expats choose to lease property or use other legal structures to own property.

Property investment value

Mauritius: Mauritius has been an attractive destination for property investment, particularly for those seeking a stable and secure investment environment. The government has implemented policies to attract foreign investors.

Bali: Bali’s property market has historically shown strong growth, primarily due to its popularity as a tourist destination. However, it’s essential to do thorough research and consider factors like location, property type, and legal regulations when investing.

Adapting to the culture

Mauritius: Mauritius is a multicultural society blending various ethnicities and cultures. Expats often find it relatively easy to adapt to Mauritius’s diverse and tolerant culture.

Bali: Bali is known for its welcoming and inclusive culture. Many expats find adapting to Balinese customs and traditions relatively easy, although learning the local language (Bahasa Indonesia) can enhance the experience.

Schooling

Mauritius: Mauritius has a well-developed education system with international schools offering various curricula, including British, French, and International Baccalaureate (IB) programmes.

Bali: While Bali has international schools that cater to expat children, the quality of education can vary. Some parents opt for homeschooling or distance learning programmes.

Healthcare

Mauritius: Mauritius has a relatively well-developed healthcare system with modern facilities. Medical services are generally of a good standard, and medical tourism is also promoted.

Bali: Bali has a healthcare system that caters to expats, with several international-standard hospitals and clinics. However, healthcare quality can vary, and serious medical issues may require medical evacuation.

Best place to live

Living Cost factors in another 13 indicators to the cost mentioned above to produce a list of the best places to live. Mauritius comes in at number 68, and Indonesia at 100.

Seven indicators are country-specific: Human Freedom Index (The Cato Institute); Gross Domestic Product per capita (The World Bank); GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (The World Bank); Life expectancy (The World Bank); Homicide rate (WHO, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime); Mortality caused by road traffic injury (The World Bank) and Corruption Perceptions Index (transparency.org).

The others are city-specific: average salary, average salary divided by cost of living, and cost of living (according to their data); annual average air quality (iqair.com); distance adjusted airports score (ourairports.com), and distance adjusted universities score (edurank.org), making the point that good cities tend to have good universities.

Traffic

Mauritius: Traffic around Port Louis is challenging. The Mauritius Government has introduced the Metro Express, a light rail public transport system linking the capital to Curepipe, in the centre, as an alternative to ease congestion on the roads. The North and the West, popular areas for property development, are also getting busier as more people move to these areas.

Bali: According to a 2023 Forbes magazine article: “The traffic is dreadful. If you have business near the provincial capital of Denpasar, you have to get an early start, when traffic still moves. In the afternoon, the tiny two-lane roads become practically impassable to cars. Only the mopeds can weave in and out of traffic. At some of Bali’s luxury hotels, the hottest amenity is a helipad” speeding up transfers from the airport.

The writer noted people burning trash daily in his neighbourhood, Canggu. “The small fires fill the streets with thick white smoke. The tap water is undrinkable, and the sewer system is so fragile that you can’t flush toilet paper down the toilets.”

Bali and Mauritius have unique advantages and considerations regarding cost of living, property investment, cultural adaptation, schooling, and healthcare. Your choice between the two would depend on your individual preferences, financial situation, and lifestyle goals. Be sure to conduct thorough research and potentially visit both places before making any decisions. Also, consult with local experts or expats with experience in these locations to gain more insights into the current conditions.