How Much Does It Cost to Live In Bali?
When it comes to the cost of living in Bali, as in most countries, it differs depending on the part of the island where you live, and this is exactly why some people prefer or choose to move to a certain city in Bali.
You can count on touristy areas that are completely flooded with backpackers and tourists, and they are, of course, more expensive.
But then, there are other areas where you can live peacefully in the middle of a rice field, at a low cost, and yet be within a short bike ride to the center of town.
Indonesia : Cost of Living by City
RESTAURANTS
Going to restaurants can give each tourist a different experience.
Most average tourist restaurants offer meals for prices somewhere between $5 and $15.
Of course, if you go to more expensive ones, you can eat for about $50 per person with a few alcoholic drinks.
Local beer is cheap, from about $3.27 on beaches and in convenience stores, but can cost up to $5 in some hotels and restaurants.
MARKETS
Apart from supermarkets, which are mostly affordable, though more expensive than other Asian countries that are not flooded with tourists, you can buy your food at markets, where you can get everything for very cheap prices (if you’re good at haggling, that is!)
So, if you’re more of a tourist that likes to cook at home, this option is much more budget-friendly for you than eating at a restaurant.
TRANSPORTATION
Like in any country, you can get ripped off in Bali too if you get into the wrong taxi.
However, in normal circumstances, transportation in Bali isn’t expensive at all, with gasoline prices as low as 0.64$ per liter.
You can also buy a one-way ticket for public transport for less than 0.23$, while taxis start at a normal tariff is also less than 0.40$.
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
The cost of basic utilities, including heating, water, cooling, and electricity in a normal-size apartment in Bali is less than 50$, which is a reasonable price for anyone traveling to Bali from Western countries, yet it’s pretty high for their average salaries.
High-speed internet is especially expensive, costing over 50$ a month.
SPORTS & LEISURE
For those more relaxed with their money and want to indulge in sports or other types of recreation, such activities will cost more.
However, they are not as expensive as would be expected and a monthly fee for a fitness membership is about 47.6$.
Renting a tennis court is a bit more, but such is the situation in most countries, seeing that tennis is an expensive sport.
CLOTHING & SHOES
If you want to go shopping, Bali is the place to do it!
With its high prices in touristy places and popular restaurants, it’s unexpected that shopping for clothes is actually very affordable.
For instance, you can buy a pair of quality jeans like Levi’s for less than 42.87$, a dress, or a plain shirt for about 25$, while branded sneakers are a bit more.
RENT PER MONTH
Renting an apartment in Bali is no more expensive than renting it anywhere else in Indonesia.
If you’re planning on renting a studio apartment alone or with a friend, expect it to cost about 432.06$ a month, while for larger families (that need larger housing facilities) it can cost up to twice as much.
However, it mostly depends on the type of neighborhood you want to rent in.
Cost of Living Averages Table for Bali
*Note: All prices are indicated in USD.| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $1.63 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $3.27 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.89 | Average Market Prices |
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.57 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.56 |
| Eggs (12) | $1.50 | Average Transport Prices |
| One Way Ticket | $0.23 |
| Monthly Pass | $8.57 |
| Gasoline | $0.84 | Average Utilities Prices |
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $48.48 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.07 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $27.61 | Average Leisure Prices |
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $47.6 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $10.24 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $3.10 | Average Clothing Prices |
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $42.87 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $24.84 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $107.83 | Average Rent Prices |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $432.06 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $236.91 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $1268.92 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Bali?
As expected, Bali people spend most of their money in markets and supermarkets, buying food and drinks, as well as on utilities and bills that need to be paid.
Apart from that, a lot of money goes on rent per month and transportation (given that there are many, many people that live outside of the main cities, yet need to travel to them every day).
What is interesting is that more money is spent on sports and leisure than on shopping for clothing.
Restaurant goers also took up a large part of the money spending pie chart: as much as 8.8% of all money is spent in restaurants.
Average Costs Breakdown
Bali: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
With a minimum wage of about 188.4$ monthly, citizens of Bali don’t have nearly high enough salaries to cover their expenses.
If you want to live like a member of a royal family in Bali, you will need about 1500$ a month.
However, if you’re more of a modest tourist, traveling backpacker-style, you could make do with 700$ a month, or, roughly about 20$ a day.
The average monthly salary in Bali is a bit higher, but it’s still not enough to cover taxes, expenses, and all necessary living conditions.
Bali Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Bali Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Cost of Living by City in Bali
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Bandung | 35.58 |
| Jakarta | 31.2 |
| Surabaya | 35.72 |
| Yogyakarta | 34.91 |
