🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $672 in Balikpapan versus $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,070 in Balikpapan versus $2,928 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,468 in Balikpapan versus $4,171 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🌍Living in Balikpapan costs roughly 60% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Balikpapan is 51% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.38Rp 24.4K
$4.11Rp 72.8K
-66.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.14Rp 197.3K
$43.57Rp 771.5K
-74.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.17Rp 56.1K
$6.64Rp 117.6K
-52.26%
Cappuccino
$1.45Rp 25.8K
$3.38Rp 59.8K
-57.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,782
$2.19Rp 38.8K
-82.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37Rp 6,529
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-63.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.40Rp 42.5K
$3.56Rp 63.1K
-32.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53Rp 62.5K
$5.43Rp 96.1K
-34.99%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19Rp 21.0K
$1.66Rp 29.4K
-28.31%
White Bread(500g)
$1.11Rp 19.7K
$2.46Rp 43.6K
-54.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17Rp 20.7K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-3.31%
Eggs
$2.59Rp 45.9K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
13.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.34Rp 130.0K
$18.21Rp 322.4K
-59.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.97Rp 52.6K
$4.21Rp 74.5K
-29.45%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.78Rp 120.1K
$13.07Rp 231.4K
-48.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.4K
$3.91Rp 69.3K
-41.69%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.4K
$1.63Rp 28.9K
-22.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.70Rp 30.1K
$2.47Rp 43.8K
-31.17%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.25Rp 22.1K
$2.06Rp 36.4K
-39.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.31Rp 23.3K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-31.05%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.6K
$2.59Rp 45.8K
-22.39%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.73Rp 13.0K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
-31.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.69Rp 12.3K
$0.56Rp 9,996
23.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.90Rp 33.7K
$2.41Rp 42.6K
-21.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.60Rp 364.7K
$24.21Rp 428.6K
-14.91%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91Rp 33.8K
$2.50Rp 44.2K
-23.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00Rp 53.0K
$3.11Rp 55.0K
-3.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.55Rp 9,817
$0.31Rp 5,577
77.42%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$10.28Rp 181.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15Rp 20.4K
$0.57Rp 10.1K
101.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 5,944
$0.58Rp 10.2K
-41.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.89Rp 51.2K
$2.69Rp 47.5K
7.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.4K
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-24.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.5KRp 416.3M
$30.3KRp 536.2M
-22.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2KRp 552.0M
$39.3KRp 696.4M
-20.73%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.9Rp 1.2M
$89.9Rp 1.6M
-22.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.52Rp 80.0K
$7.40Rp 131.0K
-38.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.58Rp 523.8K
$20.52Rp 363.4K
44.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.45Rp 433.0K
$65.8Rp 1.2M
-62.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.64Rp 153.1K
$21.34Rp 377.8K
-59.51%
Cinema Ticket
$2.85Rp 50.5K
$5.21Rp 92.3K
-45.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.7Rp 1.7M
$544Rp 9.6M
-82.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,923Rp 122.6M
$6,707Rp 118.8M
3.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.44Rp 680.6K
$51.1Rp 904.7K
-24.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.51Rp 345.5K
$39.15Rp 693.2K
-50.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$141Rp 2.5M
$89.5Rp 1.6M
57.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.9Rp 1.3M
$87.8Rp 1.6M
-19.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$203Rp 3.6M
$1,556Rp 27.6M
-86.93%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$924Rp 16.4M
-83.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$557Rp 9.9M
$4,848Rp 85.8M
-88.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$367Rp 6.5M
$2,307Rp 40.9M
-84.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,079Rp 19.1M
$3,720Rp 65.9M
-70.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$709Rp 12.6M
$3,051Rp 54.0M
-76.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$245Rp 4.3M
-
-
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: September 14, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $203 in Balikpapan and $1,556 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Balikpapan vs $44.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $309 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 in Uluwatu, Bali?
Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali differ by about 151% in total monthly costs ($672 vs $1,685 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 $1,009 in Balikpapan and $2,528 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 in Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $203 in Balikpapan versus $1,556 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali?
Childcare runs $94.7 in Balikpapan versus $544 in Uluwatu, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Balikpapan – a meal for two runs $11.00 versus $44.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $672 in Balikpapan versus $1,685 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 151% 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