Cost of Living Comparison Between Bali and PadangCost of Living Comparison Between Bali and Padang
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,265 per month in Bali vs $651 in Padang, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,121 per month in Bali vs $1,007 in Padang, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $2,978 per month in Bali vs $1,363 in Padang, rent included.
😐Bali costs about 94% more than Padang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Bali and Padang are more affordable than the global median – Bali8% lower, Padang52% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bali
Padang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.76Rp 48.9K
$1.74Rp 30.9K
58.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.12Rp 533.4K
$12.43Rp 220.0K
142.32%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.78Rp 84.6K
$3.04Rp 53.7K
57.24%
Cappuccino
$2.22Rp 39.3K
$1.49Rp 26.4K
48.99%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54Rp 27.3K
$0.38Rp 6,734
305.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68Rp 12.1K
$0.26Rp 4,533
161.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.54Rp 45.0K
$2.71Rp 48.0K
-6.27%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.61Rp 63.9K
$3.93Rp 69.6K
-8.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bali
Padang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.46Rp 25.8K
$1.17Rp 20.8K
24.79%
White Bread(500g)
$2.21Rp 39.1K
$0.95Rp 16.9K
132.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$0.92Rp 16.3K
21.74%
Eggs
$2.03Rp 35.9K
$1.45Rp 25.6K
40.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.93Rp 299.7K
$6.29Rp 111.4K
169.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.82Rp 67.7K
$2.60Rp 46.0K
46.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.86Rp 210.1K
$7.98Rp 141.3K
48.62%
Apples(1kg)
$3.50Rp 62.0K
$2.02Rp 35.7K
73.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.48Rp 26.2K
$1.16Rp 20.5K
27.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.1K
$1.63Rp 28.9K
35.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.85Rp 32.7K
$1.17Rp 20.7K
58.12%
Potato(1kg)
$1.82Rp 32.2K
$1.35Rp 23.8K
34.81%
Onion(1kg)
$2.35Rp 41.6K
$1.93Rp 34.2K
21.76%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.94Rp 16.7K
$0.83Rp 14.7K
13.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,645
$0.44Rp 7,865
11.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.12Rp 37.6K
$2.71Rp 48.0K
-21.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.02Rp 390.0K
$23.01Rp 407.4K
-4.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.28Rp 40.4K
$2.00Rp 35.5K
14.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91Rp 51.4K
$2.74Rp 48.5K
6.20%
🚌 Getting Around
Bali
Padang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,805
$0.30Rp 5,325
-10.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.14Rp 144.1K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,537
$0.51Rp 9,086
-5.88%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,215
$0.29Rp 5,191
58.62%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.69Rp 100.8K
$2.53Rp 44.8K
124.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.7K
$0.69Rp 12.1K
11.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KRp 431.6M
$22.8KRp 404.2M
6.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1KRp 551.5M
$30.6KRp 542.5M
1.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bali
Padang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.3Rp 1.4M
$74.1Rp 1.3M
9.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.60Rp 117.0K
$4.30Rp 76.2K
53.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.65Rp 330.2K
$17.79Rp 315.1K
4.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bali
Padang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.53Rp 841.6K
$19.96Rp 353.4K
138.13%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.28Rp 270.6K
$7.45Rp 132.0K
105.10%
Cinema Ticket
$3.77Rp 66.8K
$2.46Rp 43.5K
53.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bali
Padang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$436Rp 7.7M
$99.6Rp 1.8M
337.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,380Rp 95.3M
$7,742Rp 137.1M
-30.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bali
Padang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.93Rp 795.6K
$44.85Rp 794.2K
0.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$33.69Rp 596.5K
$29.67Rp 525.3K
13.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.6Rp 1.4M
$73.7Rp 1.3M
5.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.5Rp 1.4M
$80.8Rp 1.4M
-4.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bali
Padang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,001Rp 17.7M
$236Rp 4.2M
324.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$593Rp 10.5M
$140Rp 2.5M
324.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,156Rp 55.9M
$513Rp 9.1M
515.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,536Rp 27.2M
$359Rp 6.4M
327.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,456Rp 43.5M
$1,358Rp 24.0M
80.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,976Rp 35.0M
$634Rp 11.2M
211.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bali
Padang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$223Rp 3.9M
$170Rp 3.0M
31.24%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
9.46
45.67%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bali: September 13, 2026
Last update for Padang: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,001 in Bali versus $236 in Padang. 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 31% 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 $30.00 in Bali versus $12.00 in Padang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $280 vs $194 – making Padang 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 Padang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bali or Padang?
Bali costs about 94% more than Padang, 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 Padang?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,898 per month in Bali and $976 in Padang. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Bali or Padang?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Padang, 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 Padang?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,265 in Bali and $651 in Padang. 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 Padang?
Kindergarten costs $436 per month in Bali and $99.6 in Padang. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bali or in Padang?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Padang, where all-in costs run around $651, than in Bali at $1,265. In Padang 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 Padang?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Padang costs $651 versus $1,265 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 Padang?
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 Padang?
If budget matters most, go with Padang. 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.