🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $778 in Balikpapan versus $1,732 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,200 in Balikpapan versus $3,186 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,622 in Balikpapan versus $4,640 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Living in Balikpapan costs roughly 55% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Balikpapan is 42% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 30% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57Rp 27.8K
$4.25Rp 75.4K
-63.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.13Rp 268.0K
$38.68Rp 685.2K
-60.88%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.35Rp 59.3K
$6.18Rp 109.5K
-45.79%
Cappuccino
$1.73Rp 30.6K
$3.30Rp 58.5K
-47.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,116
$1.61Rp 28.5K
-75.16%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,803
$0.89Rp 15.8K
-57.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01Rp 35.7K
$3.58Rp 63.4K
-43.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15Rp 55.8K
$4.58Rp 81.1K
-31.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.89Rp 33.6K
$1.82Rp 32.3K
3.85%
White Bread(500g)
$1.23Rp 21.8K
$2.57Rp 45.6K
-52.14%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$1.20Rp 21.3K
5.83%
Eggs
$2.67Rp 47.4K
$2.51Rp 44.4K
6.37%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.92Rp 140.3K
$15.08Rp 267.1K
-47.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.03Rp 89.2K
$4.35Rp 77.1K
15.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.95Rp 140.8K
$12.47Rp 220.9K
-36.25%
Apples(1kg)
$3.73Rp 66.0K
$3.95Rp 70.0K
-5.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.5K
$1.64Rp 29.1K
-5.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12Rp 37.6K
$2.83Rp 50.1K
-25.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.26Rp 22.3K
$2.38Rp 42.1K
-47.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.81Rp 32.1K
$2.02Rp 35.8K
-10.40%
Onion(1kg)
$3.62Rp 64.1K
$2.32Rp 41.1K
56.03%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.94Rp 16.6K
$1.11Rp 19.6K
-15.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$0.75Rp 13.3K
5.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.06Rp 36.4K
$3.34Rp 59.2K
-38.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.59Rp 382.5K
$25.00Rp 442.9K
-13.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25Rp 39.8K
$2.91Rp 51.6K
-22.68%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33Rp 76.8K
$2.93Rp 51.8K
47.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.63Rp 11.2K
$0.34Rp 5,988
85.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.67Rp 171.2K
$10.51Rp 186.1K
-7.99%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.25Rp 22.1K
$0.57Rp 10.1K
119.30%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,652
$0.54Rp 9,485
-29.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.96Rp 105.5K
$7.72Rp 136.7K
-22.80%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74Rp 13.1K
$1.07Rp 18.9K
-30.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRp 434.5M
$33.2KRp 588.0M
-26.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0KRp 460.5M
$40.8KRp 723.4M
-36.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$92.1Rp 1.6M
$87.6Rp 1.6M
5.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.98Rp 52.8K
$4.32Rp 76.5K
-31.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.61Rp 560.0K
$26.72Rp 473.3K
18.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.70Rp 384.3K
$114Rp 2.0M
-81.01%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.06Rp 107.3K
$7.77Rp 137.6K
-22.01%
Cinema Ticket
$3.12Rp 55.3K
$4.61Rp 81.6K
-32.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$61.9Rp 1.1M
$341Rp 6.0M
-81.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,588Rp 134.4M
$7,405Rp 131.2M
2.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.41Rp 733.6K
$60.0Rp 1.1M
-30.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.63Rp 365.5K
$42.40Rp 751.2K
-51.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$124Rp 2.2M
$95.7Rp 1.7M
29.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124Rp 2.2M
$83.7Rp 1.5M
47.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$222Rp 3.9M
$1,363Rp 24.1M
-83.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$155Rp 2.8M
$922Rp 16.3M
-83.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$492Rp 8.7M
$4,617Rp 81.8M
-89.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$309Rp 5.5M
$2,782Rp 49.3M
-88.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,084Rp 19.2M
$3,800Rp 67.3M
-71.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$628Rp 11.1M
$3,092Rp 54.8M
-79.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$195Rp 3.4M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
15
13.28
12.95%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Balikpapan: June 14, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $222 in Balikpapan and $1,363 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $15.00 in Balikpapan vs $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $252 vs $311 per month, with Balikpapan cheaper across the board.
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 Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali differ by about 122% in total monthly costs ($778 vs $1,732 including rent). Balikpapan is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Balikpapan compared to Uluwatu, Bali?
You'd need roughly $1,168 in Balikpapan and $2,598 in Uluwatu, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $222 in Balikpapan versus $1,363 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Balikpapan runs roughly 9% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
Childcare runs $61.9 in Balikpapan versus $341 in Uluwatu, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $778 in Balikpapan versus $1,732 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Balikpapan but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Balikpapan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Balikpapan or Uluwatu, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Balikpapan or Uluwatu, Bali?
Expats usually find Balikpapan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 122% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Balikpapan vs other spots: cost of living compared