Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Balikpapan and Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Balikpapan: $669 a month against $1,214 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $6,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Balikpapan, Indonesia
Bali, Indonesia
Balikpapan
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$669
/mo nomad
Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,214
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Balikpapan and in Bali

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

A single person spends $669 per month in Balikpapan vs $1,214 in Bali, rent included.

  • Balikpapan $669
  • Bali $1,214

A couple spends around $1,057 per month in Balikpapan vs $2,047 in Bali, rent included.

  • Balikpapan $1,057
  • Bali $2,047

A family of three spends $1,444 per month in Balikpapan vs $2,880 in Bali, rent included.

  • Balikpapan $1,444
  • Bali $2,880

Balikpapan is about 45% cheaper than Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Balikpapan and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Balikpapan 51% lower, Bali 11% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.40 Rp 25.3K
$2.73 Rp 49.5K
-48.72%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.88 Rp 197.5K
$28.91 Rp 524.6K
-62.37%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.02 Rp 54.8K
$4.56 Rp 82.7K
-33.77%
Cappuccino
$1.34 Rp 24.4K
$2.26 Rp 41.1K
-40.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.35 Rp 6,314
$1.43 Rp 25.9K
-75.52%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 Rp 7,028
$0.68 Rp 12.4K
-42.65%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.25 Rp 40.7K
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
0.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51 Rp 63.6K
$3.68 Rp 66.8K
-4.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 Rp 20.5K
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
-24.16%
White Bread (500g)
$1.05 Rp 19.1K
$2.18 Rp 39.6K
-51.83%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.2K
$1.14 Rp 20.7K
2.63%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 44.0K
$2.02 Rp 36.6K
20.30%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.14 Rp 129.6K
$16.81 Rp 305.0K
-57.53%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.98 Rp 54.1K
$3.57 Rp 64.8K
-16.53%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.63 Rp 156.7K
$11.31 Rp 205.2K
-23.70%
Apples (1kg)
$2.18 Rp 39.6K
$3.44 Rp 62.5K
-36.63%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 Rp 23.7K
$1.51 Rp 27.4K
-13.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 28.0K
$2.19 Rp 39.8K
-29.68%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
$1.88 Rp 34.2K
-36.70%
Potato (1kg)
$1.20 Rp 21.8K
$1.71 Rp 31.0K
-29.82%
Onion (1kg)
$1.95 Rp 35.4K
$2.32 Rp 42.0K
-15.95%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.84 Rp 15.3K
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
-15.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 13.0K
$0.50 Rp 9,070
44.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.78 Rp 32.2K
$2.03 Rp 36.8K
-12.32%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.12 Rp 383.1K
$21.49 Rp 389.9K
-1.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.79 Rp 32.5K
$2.14 Rp 38.8K
-16.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 Rp 54.0K
$2.87 Rp 52.0K
3.83%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 Rp 4,147
$0.25 Rp 4,564
-8.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.50 Rp 208.6K
$8.82 Rp 160.1K
30.39%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.11 Rp 20.2K
$0.45 Rp 8,156
146.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.29 Rp 5,184
$0.44 Rp 7,978
-34.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.81 Rp 51.0K
$5.48 Rp 99.4K
-48.72%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.75 Rp 13.7K
$0.89 Rp 16.1K
-15.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2K Rp 420.5M
$24.3K Rp 440.9M
-4.62%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.4K Rp 569.7M
$31.9K Rp 579.6M
-1.71%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$64.1 Rp 1.2M
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
-19.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.19 Rp 76.1K
$6.55 Rp 118.8K
-36.03%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.48 Rp 535.0K
$18.48 Rp 335.3K
59.52%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.84 Rp 432.6K
$40.66 Rp 737.8K
-41.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.27 Rp 150.1K
$14.93 Rp 270.8K
-44.61%
Cinema Ticket
$2.82 Rp 51.3K
$3.67 Rp 66.5K
-23.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$91.6 Rp 1.7M
$437 Rp 7.9M
-79.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,145 Rp 165.9M
$5,063 Rp 91.9M
80.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.81 Rp 686.1K
$43.62 Rp 791.5K
-13.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.66 Rp 338.6K
$32.69 Rp 593.2K
-42.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$140 Rp 2.5M
$73.6 Rp 1.3M
90.30%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.6 Rp 1.3M
$74.3 Rp 1.3M
-4.94%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$197 Rp 3.6M
$984 Rp 17.9M
-79.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$143 Rp 2.6M
$583 Rp 10.6M
-75.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$559 Rp 10.1M
$3,121 Rp 56.6M
-82.08%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$362 Rp 6.6M
$1,475 Rp 26.8M
-75.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,323 Rp 24.0M
$2,447 Rp 44.4M
-45.95%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$777 Rp 14.1M
$1,963 Rp 35.6M
-60.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$238 Rp 4.3M
$215 Rp 3.9M
10.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.46
13.78
-31.35%

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

Last update for Balikpapan: October 27, 2026

Last update for Bali: October 24, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
$206
Bali
$275 33.6% $69
Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
$143
Bali
$583 307% $440
Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
$120
Bali
$101 16.1% $19
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Balikpapan
$98
Bali
$105 7.2% $7.1
Eating Out
Balikpapan
$58
Bali
$90 55.7% $32
Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
$29
Bali
$48 62.7% $19
Getting Around
Balikpapan
$15
Bali
$12 16.5% $2.5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $197 in Balikpapan versus $984 in Bali. 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 10% higher in Balikpapan, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Balikpapan versus $29 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $275 – making Balikpapan the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Balikpapan
🇮🇩 Bali
🕒 Local time
07:41 7:41 AM
07:41 7:41 AM
Same time as Balikpapan
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
701,066
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18,145 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,337 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.92 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Balikpapan Bali 820 km ≈ 1 h 30 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Balikpapan
  • Bali

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
Balikpapan vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Balikpapan or Bali?
Bali costs about 81% more than Balikpapan, 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 Balikpapan and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,004 per month in Balikpapan and $1,821 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Balikpapan or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Balikpapan, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $197 there versus $984 in Bali.
How do dining costs compare in Balikpapan and in Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Balikpapan and $29 in Bali. 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 Balikpapan compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $669 in Balikpapan and $1,214 in Bali. That makes Balikpapan about 45% cheaper.
Can you live on $1,200/month in Balikpapan or in Bali?
A $1,200 monthly budget goes further in Balikpapan, where all-in costs run around $669, than in Bali at $1,214. In Balikpapan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Balikpapan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Balikpapan compared to Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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