Cost of Living Comparison Between Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Balikpapan and Uluwatu, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

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
$1.57 Rp 27.8K
$4.25 Rp 75.4K
-63.06%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.13 Rp 268.0K
$38.68 Rp 685.2K
-60.88%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.35 Rp 59.3K
$6.18 Rp 109.5K
-45.79%
Cappuccino
$1.73 Rp 30.6K
$3.30 Rp 58.5K
-47.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40 Rp 7,116
$1.61 Rp 28.5K
-75.16%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38 Rp 6,803
$0.89 Rp 15.8K
-57.30%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.01 Rp 35.7K
$3.58 Rp 63.4K
-43.85%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15 Rp 55.8K
$4.58 Rp 81.1K
-31.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.89 Rp 33.6K
$1.82 Rp 32.3K
3.85%
White Bread (500g)
$1.23 Rp 21.8K
$2.57 Rp 45.6K
-52.14%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.27 Rp 22.5K
$1.20 Rp 21.3K
5.83%
Eggs
$2.67 Rp 47.4K
$2.51 Rp 44.4K
6.37%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.92 Rp 140.3K
$15.08 Rp 267.1K
-47.48%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.03 Rp 89.2K
$4.35 Rp 77.1K
15.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.95 Rp 140.8K
$12.47 Rp 220.9K
-36.25%
Apples (1kg)
$3.73 Rp 66.0K
$3.95 Rp 70.0K
-5.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 Rp 27.5K
$1.64 Rp 29.1K
-5.49%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.12 Rp 37.6K
$2.83 Rp 50.1K
-25.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.26 Rp 22.3K
$2.38 Rp 42.1K
-47.06%
Potato (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 32.1K
$2.02 Rp 35.8K
-10.40%
Onion (1kg)
$3.62 Rp 64.1K
$2.32 Rp 41.1K
56.03%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.94 Rp 16.6K
$1.11 Rp 19.6K
-15.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79 Rp 14.0K
$0.75 Rp 13.3K
5.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.06 Rp 36.4K
$3.34 Rp 59.2K
-38.32%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.59 Rp 382.5K
$25.00 Rp 442.9K
-13.64%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.25 Rp 39.8K
$2.91 Rp 51.6K
-22.68%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33 Rp 76.8K
$2.93 Rp 51.8K
47.78%
🚌 Getting Around
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.63 Rp 11.2K
$0.34 Rp 5,988
85.29%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.67 Rp 171.2K
$10.51 Rp 186.1K
-7.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.25 Rp 22.1K
$0.57 Rp 10.1K
119.30%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 Rp 6,652
$0.54 Rp 9,485
-29.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.96 Rp 105.5K
$7.72 Rp 136.7K
-22.80%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.74 Rp 13.1K
$1.07 Rp 18.9K
-30.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5K Rp 434.5M
$33.2K Rp 588.0M
-26.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K Rp 460.5M
$40.8K Rp 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)
$92.1 Rp 1.6M
$87.6 Rp 1.6M
5.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.98 Rp 52.8K
$4.32 Rp 76.5K
-31.02%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.61 Rp 560.0K
$26.72 Rp 473.3K
18.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.70 Rp 384.3K
$114 Rp 2.0M
-81.01%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.06 Rp 107.3K
$7.77 Rp 137.6K
-22.01%
Cinema Ticket
$3.12 Rp 55.3K
$4.61 Rp 81.6K
-32.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$61.9 Rp 1.1M
$341 Rp 6.0M
-81.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,588 Rp 134.4M
$7,405 Rp 131.2M
2.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.41 Rp 733.6K
$60.0 Rp 1.1M
-30.99%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.63 Rp 365.5K
$42.40 Rp 751.2K
-51.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$124 Rp 2.2M
$95.7 Rp 1.7M
29.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$124 Rp 2.2M
$83.7 Rp 1.5M
47.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$222 Rp 3.9M
$1,363 Rp 24.1M
-83.70%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$155 Rp 2.8M
$922 Rp 16.3M
-83.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$492 Rp 8.7M
$4,617 Rp 81.8M
-89.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 Rp 5.5M
$2,782 Rp 49.3M
-88.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,084 Rp 19.2M
$3,800 Rp 67.3M
-71.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$628 Rp 11.1M
$3,092 Rp 54.8M
-79.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Balikpapan
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$195 Rp 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.

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