Cost of Living Comparison Between Bali and ManadoCost of Living Comparison Between Bali and Manado
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,266 per month in Bali vs $574 in Manado, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,141 per month in Bali vs $887 in Manado, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,016 per month in Bali vs $1,201 in Manado, rent included.
😐Bali costs about 121% more than Manado, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Bali and Manado are more affordable than the global median – Bali8% lower, Manado58% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bali
Manado
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.91Rp 51.7K
$1.44Rp 25.6K
102.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$31.94Rp 567.5K
$16.97Rp 301.5K
88.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.50Rp 79.9K
$2.77Rp 49.1K
62.45%
Cappuccino
$2.29Rp 40.6K
$1.74Rp 31.0K
31.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.39Rp 24.6K
$0.58Rp 10.2K
139.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$0.23Rp 4,082
160.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.20Rp 39.1K
$3.35Rp 59.5K
-34.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61Rp 64.0K
$2.88Rp 51.1K
25.35%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bali
Manado
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54Rp 27.3K
$1.35Rp 24.0K
14.07%
White Bread(500g)
$2.19Rp 38.8K
$1.07Rp 18.9K
104.67%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.08Rp 19.1K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
40.26%
Eggs
$2.01Rp 35.7K
$1.96Rp 34.7K
2.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.91Rp 300.4K
$16.78Rp 298.0K
0.77%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.76Rp 66.7K
$2.89Rp 51.3K
30.10%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.82Rp 210.0K
$6.59Rp 117.1K
79.36%
Apples(1kg)
$3.39Rp 60.3K
$2.38Rp 42.2K
42.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47Rp 26.1K
$1.48Rp 26.3K
-0.68%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.17Rp 38.5K
$1.37Rp 24.3K
58.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.84Rp 32.8K
$1.01Rp 18.0K
82.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.77Rp 31.4K
$0.83Rp 14.8K
113.25%
Onion(1kg)
$2.26Rp 40.1K
$2.81Rp 50.0K
-19.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99Rp 17.6K
$0.84Rp 15.0K
17.86%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,710
$0.43Rp 7,604
13.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.13Rp 37.9K
$2.42Rp 43.0K
-11.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.73Rp 403.7K
$20.28Rp 360.3K
12.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27Rp 40.4K
$1.90Rp 33.8K
19.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.67Rp 47.5K
$3.09Rp 54.9K
-13.59%
🚌 Getting Around
Bali
Manado
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.25Rp 4,405
$0.33Rp 5,777
-24.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.56Rp 152.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rp 8,706
$0.48Rp 8,614
2.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.48Rp 8,481
$0.35Rp 6,304
37.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.81Rp 103.3K
$3.32Rp 59.0K
75.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.5K
$0.63Rp 11.2K
20.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 436.7M
$20.8KRp 369.1M
18.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1KRp 570.7M
$31.0KRp 550.1M
3.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bali
Manado
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$82.7Rp 1.5M
$54.7Rp 972.4K
50.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.47Rp 115.0K
$4.32Rp 76.7K
49.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.80Rp 333.9K
$14.03Rp 249.3K
34.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bali
Manado
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.41Rp 842.3K
$13.31Rp 236.4K
256.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.42Rp 273.9K
$7.63Rp 135.5K
102.10%
Cinema Ticket
$3.64Rp 64.6K
$2.51Rp 44.6K
45.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bali
Manado
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$443Rp 7.9M
$128Rp 2.3M
246.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,200Rp 92.4M
$4,721Rp 83.9M
10.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bali
Manado
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.91Rp 780.0K
$55.7Rp 988.7K
-21.11%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.14Rp 606.5K
$20.48Rp 363.8K
66.70%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.4Rp 1.3M
$69.4Rp 1.2M
8.65%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.4Rp 1.4M
$65.2Rp 1.2M
18.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bali
Manado
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,004Rp 17.8M
$250Rp 4.4M
301.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$595Rp 10.6M
$83.5Rp 1.5M
612.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,169Rp 56.3M
$305Rp 5.4M
939.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,478Rp 26.3M
$170Rp 3.0M
769.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,472Rp 43.9M
$1,175Rp 20.9M
110.28%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,027Rp 36.0M
$668Rp 11.9M
203.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bali
Manado
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$221Rp 3.9M
$219Rp 3.9M
0.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
10
37.80%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bali: August 31, 2026
Last update for Manado: August 30, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,004 in Bali versus $250 in Manado. 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 1% 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 $32.00 in Bali versus $17.00 in Manado. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $280 vs $224 – making Manado the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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 Manado: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bali or Manado?
Bali costs about 121% more than Manado, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Manado?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,899 per month in Bali and $860 in Manado. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Bali or Manado?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Manado, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Bali compared to Manado?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,266 in Bali and $574 in Manado. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Bali and in Manado?
Kindergarten costs $443 per month in Bali and $128 in Manado. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Bali or in Manado?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manado, where all-in costs run around $574, than in Bali at $1,266. In Manado 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 Manado?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Manado costs $574 versus $1,266 in Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Bali compared to Manado?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Bali or to Manado?
If budget matters most, go with Manado. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.