Cost of Living Comparison Between Bali and PadangCost of Living Comparison Between Bali and Padang
Monthly Cost of Living
😐A single person spends $1,278 per month in Bali vs $677 in Padang, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,318 per month in Bali vs $1,039 in Padang, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,357 per month in Bali vs $1,401 in Padang, rent included.
😐Bali costs about 89% more than Padang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Bali and Padang are more affordable than the global median – Bali5% lower, Padang49% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bali
Padang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.88Rp 49.8K
$1.57Rp 27.2K
83.44%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$27.30Rp 473.3K
$12.46Rp 216.0K
119.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.17Rp 72.3K
$3.30Rp 57.1K
26.36%
Cappuccino
$2.38Rp 41.2K
$1.73Rp 30.0K
37.57%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10Rp 19.1K
$0.54Rp 9,428
103.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61Rp 10.6K
$0.28Rp 4,875
117.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48Rp 43.0K
$2.44Rp 42.2K
1.64%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17Rp 54.9K
$3.59Rp 62.3K
-11.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bali
Padang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.67Rp 28.9K
$1.21Rp 21.0K
38.02%
White Bread(500g)
$2.41Rp 41.8K
$1.13Rp 19.6K
113.27%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.14Rp 19.7K
$0.90Rp 15.6K
26.67%
Eggs
$2.26Rp 39.3K
$1.59Rp 27.6K
42.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.83Rp 239.7K
$8.06Rp 139.7K
71.59%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.14Rp 71.7K
$3.20Rp 55.4K
29.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.53Rp 199.8K
$7.82Rp 135.5K
47.44%
Apples(1kg)
$3.47Rp 60.1K
$2.39Rp 41.5K
45.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.48Rp 25.7K
$1.49Rp 25.8K
-0.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.68Rp 46.5K
$1.81Rp 31.4K
48.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.11Rp 36.7K
$1.57Rp 27.2K
34.39%
Potato(1kg)
$1.91Rp 33.2K
$1.33Rp 23.0K
43.61%
Onion(1kg)
$2.12Rp 36.7K
$1.94Rp 33.6K
9.28%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.01Rp 17.5K
$0.97Rp 16.8K
4.12%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69Rp 11.9K
$0.41Rp 7,095
68.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.15Rp 54.6K
$2.56Rp 44.4K
23.05%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.59Rp 391.5K
$25.62Rp 444.0K
-11.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.64Rp 45.7K
$2.02Rp 35.0K
30.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59Rp 45.0K
$3.24Rp 56.2K
-20.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Bali
Padang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,073
$0.29Rp 5,108
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.17Rp 141.5K
$9.63Rp 166.9K
-15.16%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,336
$0.58Rp 9,975
-17.24%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,427
$0.38Rp 6,501
13.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.25Rp 108.4K
$2.86Rp 49.5K
118.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.87Rp 15.0K
$0.78Rp 13.5K
11.54%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.0KRp 449.9M
$24.9KRp 431.8M
4.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.8KRp 567.8M
$27.2KRp 472.1M
20.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bali
Padang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.0Rp 1.4M
$70.0Rp 1.2M
12.86%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.05Rp 70.2K
$4.39Rp 76.0K
-7.74%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.32Rp 421.6K
$23.09Rp 400.1K
5.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bali
Padang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$82.5Rp 1.4M
$22.59Rp 391.6K
265.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.47Rp 94.8K
$6.00Rp 104.0K
-8.83%
Cinema Ticket
$3.47Rp 60.1K
$3.16Rp 54.8K
9.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bali
Padang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$269Rp 4.7M
$93.1Rp 1.6M
188.70%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,944Rp 103.0M
$7,495Rp 129.9M
-20.70%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bali
Padang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.7Rp 896.7K
$41.51Rp 719.4K
24.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.29Rp 629.0K
$31.12Rp 539.4K
16.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$84.4Rp 1.5M
$66.5Rp 1.2M
27.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5Rp 1.3M
$75.3Rp 1.3M
-1.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bali
Padang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$856Rp 14.8M
$253Rp 4.4M
237.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$573Rp 9.9M
$157Rp 2.7M
265.75%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,908Rp 50.4M
$597Rp 10.3M
387.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,824Rp 31.6M
$328Rp 5.7M
456.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,664Rp 46.2M
$1,127Rp 19.5M
136.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,077Rp 36.0M
$780Rp 13.5M
166.41%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bali
Padang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$219Rp 3.8M
$177Rp 3.1M
23.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
9.15
45.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bali: April 28, 2026
Last update for Padang: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $856 in Bali versus $253 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 24% 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 $27.00 in Bali versus $12.00 in Padang. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $284 vs $218 – 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 89% 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 vs Padang?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,917 per month in Bali and $1,015 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 do dining costs compare in Bali vs Padang?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $27.00 in Bali and $12.00 in Padang. 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 Padang?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,278 in Bali and $677 in Padang. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bali or Padang?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Padang, where all-in costs run around $677, than in Bali at $1,278. 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 $677 versus $1,278 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 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.