Cost-of-Living for Long-Stay Adult-Tourism Destinations
Long-stay adult-tourism economics differ from short-trip economics. This guide compares 30-day cost-of-living across major long-stay destinations for adult-tourism + digital-nomad overlap demographics.
The cost categories
(1) Accommodation (apartment monthly rate); (2) Food (eating out + groceries); (3) Local transport; (4) Adult-services budget; (5) Health insurance / care; (6) Entertainment / activities; (7) Reserve for unexpected.
Comparative monthly costs (USD)
- Medellín: Apartment $800-1,500 (El Poblado); food $400-700; transport $100; adult-services budget $1,500-4,000; total $2,800-6,300.
- Mexico City: Apartment $900-1,800 (Roma/Polanco); food $400-700; transport $100; adult-services $2,000-5,000; total $3,400-7,600.
- Bangkok: Apartment $700-1,500 (Sukhumvit); food $400-600; transport $100-200; adult-services $1,500-4,000; total $2,700-6,300.
- Buenos Aires: Apartment $500-1,000 (Palermo); food $400-600; transport $100; adult-services $1,000-3,000 USD blue-rate; total $2,000-4,700.
- Lisbon: Apartment $1,500-2,500; food $500-800; transport $80; adult-services $2,000-4,000; total $4,100-7,400.
- Bali (pre-2026 figures): Apartment $600-1,200 (Canggu); food $400-600; transport $100-300 (scooter rental); adult-services $1,000-3,000; total $2,100-5,100. Post-2026 increasingly fraught.
- Berlin: Apartment $1,500-3,000; food $500-800; transport $100; adult-services $3,000-8,000; total $5,100-11,900.
What's NOT in the table
Visa fees; flight to/from destination; cell-phone / SIM; co-working membership; gym; clothing; emergency fund. Add ~$300-500/month for these across destinations.