Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bali and Malang

For one person, living is cheaper in Malang: $464 a month against $1,214 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Bali, Indonesia
Malang, Indonesia
Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,214
/mo nomad
Malang
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$464
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bali and in Malang

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bali and in Malang actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,214 per month in Bali vs $464 in Malang, rent included.

  • Bali $1,214
  • Malang $464

A couple spends around $2,047 per month in Bali vs $713 in Malang, rent included.

  • Bali $2,047
  • Malang $713

A family of three spends $2,880 per month in Bali vs $963 in Malang, rent included.

  • Bali $2,880
  • Malang $963

Bali costs about 162% more than Malang, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Bali and Malang are more affordable than the global median – Bali 11% lower, Malang 66% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bali
Malang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.73 Rp 49.5K
$1.13 Rp 20.4K
141.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.91 Rp 524.0K
$11.09 Rp 201.0K
160.69%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.56 Rp 82.6K
$2.80 Rp 50.8K
62.86%
Cappuccino
$2.26 Rp 41.0K
$1.25 Rp 22.7K
80.80%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 Rp 25.8K
$0.56 Rp 10.1K
155.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68 Rp 12.4K
$0.21 Rp 3,803
223.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.23 Rp 40.3K
$2.24 Rp 40.6K
-0.45%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.68 Rp 66.8K
$4.17 Rp 75.5K
-11.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bali
Malang
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
$0.94 Rp 17.0K
58.51%
White Bread (500g)
$2.18 Rp 39.6K
$1.07 Rp 19.4K
103.74%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.14 Rp 20.6K
$0.77 Rp 13.9K
48.05%
Eggs
$2.02 Rp 36.6K
$1.17 Rp 21.2K
72.65%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$16.81 Rp 304.6K
$5.60 Rp 101.6K
200.18%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.57 Rp 64.7K
$3.00 Rp 54.4K
19.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.31 Rp 204.9K
$6.89 Rp 124.8K
64.15%
Apples (1kg)
$3.44 Rp 62.4K
$1.98 Rp 35.9K
73.74%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 Rp 27.4K
$1.29 Rp 23.4K
17.05%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.19 Rp 39.7K
$1.51 Rp 27.4K
45.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.88 Rp 34.1K
$1.39 Rp 25.2K
35.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.71 Rp 31.0K
$1.30 Rp 23.5K
31.54%
Onion (1kg)
$2.32 Rp 42.0K
$1.92 Rp 34.8K
20.83%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
$0.50 Rp 8,981
98.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 Rp 9,060
$0.42 Rp 7,650
19.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.03 Rp 36.8K
$2.57 Rp 46.6K
-21.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.49 Rp 389.5K
$12.41 Rp 224.9K
73.17%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.14 Rp 38.7K
$1.65 Rp 29.9K
29.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 Rp 52.0K
$2.86 Rp 51.9K
0.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Bali
Malang
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,559
$0.58 Rp 10.6K
-56.90%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.82 Rp 159.9K
$5.39 Rp 97.7K
63.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.45 Rp 8,147
$0.49 Rp 8,911
-8.16%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.44 Rp 7,969
$0.38 Rp 6,862
15.79%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.48 Rp 99.3K
$5.61 Rp 101.6K
-2.32%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 Rp 16.0K
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
21.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K Rp 440.4M
$25.1K Rp 454.9M
-3.18%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9K Rp 579.0M
$27.4K Rp 496.9M
16.52%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bali
Malang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
$30.88 Rp 559.7K
158.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.55 Rp 118.7K
$2.30 Rp 41.7K
184.78%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.48 Rp 335.0K
$19.26 Rp 349.1K
-4.05%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bali
Malang
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$40.66 Rp 737.0K
$14.37 Rp 260.5K
182.95%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.93 Rp 270.5K
$4.58 Rp 83.0K
225.98%
Cinema Ticket
$3.67 Rp 66.5K
$1.88 Rp 34.1K
95.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bali
Malang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$437 Rp 7.9M
$30.06 Rp 544.8K
1354.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,063 Rp 91.8M
$9,230 Rp 167.3M
-45.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bali
Malang
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.62 Rp 790.7K
$55.7 Rp 1.0M
-21.73%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.69 Rp 592.5K
$22.42 Rp 406.3K
45.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$73.6 Rp 1.3M
$50.8 Rp 921.1K
44.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.3 Rp 1.3M
$35.21 Rp 638.1K
111.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bali
Malang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$984 Rp 17.8M
$136 Rp 2.5M
622.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$583 Rp 10.6M
$89.5 Rp 1.6M
551.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,121 Rp 56.6M
$196 Rp 3.5M
1494.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,475 Rp 26.7M
$154 Rp 2.8M
858.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,447 Rp 44.3M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,963 Rp 35.6M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bali
Malang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$215 Rp 3.9M
$201 Rp 3.6M
7.15%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
4
244.50%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Bali: October 24, 2026

Last update for Malang: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bali
$583
Malang
$89 84.6% $493
Groceries & Markets
Bali
$275
Malang
$165 40.2% $111
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bali
$105
Malang
$52 50% $52
Clothing & Footwear
Bali
$101
Malang
$74 26.8% $27
Eating Out
Bali
$90
Malang
$55 38.6% $35
Sport & Entertainment
Bali
$48
Malang
$18 62.2% $30
Getting Around
Bali
$12
Malang
$10 19.1% $2.4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $984 in Bali versus $136 in Malang. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 7% higher in Bali, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $29 in Bali versus $11 in Malang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $275 vs $165 – making Malang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Bali
🇮🇩 Malang
🕒 Local time
04:24 4:24 AM
03:24 3:24 AM
1 h behind Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
857,891
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 29, 2026: 1 USD = 18,125 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.52 USD). 1 EUR = 20,199 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.95 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bali Malang 290 km
From you
  • Bali
  • Malang

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Bali vs Malang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bali or Malang?
Bali costs about 162% more than Malang, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bali and in Malang?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,821 per month in Bali and $695 in Malang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Bali or Malang?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Malang, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $136 there versus $984 in Bali.
How do dining costs compare in Bali and in Malang?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $29 in Bali and $11 in Malang. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Bali compared to Malang?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,214 in Bali and $464 in Malang. That makes Malang about 62% cheaper.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bali or in Malang?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $464, than in Bali at $1,214. In Malang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Bali or Malang?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Malang costs $464 versus $1,214 in Bali. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Bali compared to Malang?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Bali or to Malang?
If budget matters most, go with Malang. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?