🙂A single person spends $569 per month in Banda Aceh vs $944 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $899 per month in Banda Aceh vs $1,661 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,229 per month in Banda Aceh vs $2,379 in Denpasar, Bali, rent included.
🙂Banda Aceh is about 40% cheaper than Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Banda Aceh and Denpasar, Bali are more affordable than the global median – Banda Aceh57% lower, Denpasar, Bali29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.50Rp 26.5K
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-34.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.31Rp 218.0K
$21.46Rp 380.1K
-42.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.39Rp 60.1K
$3.35Rp 59.4K
1.19%
Cappuccino
$1.15Rp 20.3K
$1.83Rp 32.4K
-37.16%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56Rp 9,836
$0.94Rp 16.6K
-40.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,010
$0.46Rp 8,212
-39.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.39Rp 42.4K
$1.95Rp 34.6K
22.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 60.8K
$2.62Rp 46.3K
30.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.23Rp 21.7K
$1.44Rp 25.6K
-14.58%
White Bread(500g)
$1.12Rp 19.9K
$1.98Rp 35.1K
-43.43%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.3K
$0.98Rp 17.4K
-34.69%
Eggs
$1.55Rp 27.4K
$1.91Rp 33.8K
-18.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91Rp 140.1K
$12.05Rp 213.5K
-34.36%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.20Rp 56.7K
$3.49Rp 61.7K
-8.31%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.91Rp 140.2K
$9.88Rp 174.9K
-19.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38Rp 42.2K
$3.02Rp 53.4K
-21.19%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51Rp 26.8K
$1.30Rp 23.1K
16.15%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80Rp 32.0K
$2.30Rp 40.7K
-21.74%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 27.7K
$1.84Rp 32.6K
-14.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.3K
$1.54Rp 27.2K
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.93Rp 34.2K
$1.81Rp 32.0K
6.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.96Rp 16.9K
$0.80Rp 14.3K
20.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,802
$0.63Rp 11.2K
-30.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.50Rp 44.3K
$2.56Rp 45.3K
-2.34%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$19.31Rp 342.0K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.13Rp 37.7K
$2.31Rp 41.0K
-7.79%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12Rp 55.3K
$2.30Rp 40.7K
35.65%
🚌 Getting Around
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,255
$0.24Rp 4,212
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.74Rp 172.6K
$7.51Rp 133.1K
29.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54Rp 9,511
$0.41Rp 7,231
31.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,595
$0.39Rp 6,831
-5.13%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.86Rp 50.7K
$5.48Rp 97.1K
-47.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.56Rp 9,989
$0.73Rp 12.9K
-23.29%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 436.6M
$23.0KRp 407.9M
7.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2KRp 499.5M
$28.7KRp 508.0M
-1.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.4Rp 1.2M
$72.5Rp 1.3M
-5.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.34Rp 76.8K
$3.54Rp 62.8K
22.60%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.97Rp 407.0K
$21.75Rp 385.4K
5.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.96Rp 406.6K
$68.2Rp 1.2M
-66.32%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.10Rp 108.0K
$4.49Rp 79.5K
35.86%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.0K
$2.89Rp 51.3K
5.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.1Rp 1.6M
$236Rp 4.2M
-60.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,479Rp 132.5M
$5,148Rp 91.2M
45.29%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.70Rp 579.3K
$46.50Rp 823.7K
-29.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.79Rp 403.8K
$33.43Rp 592.2K
-31.83%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$35.50Rp 628.8K
$75.1Rp 1.3M
-52.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.05Rp 603.2K
$67.7Rp 1.2M
-49.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255Rp 4.5M
$532Rp 9.4M
-52.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$356Rp 6.3M
-56.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$580Rp 10.3M
$1,767Rp 31.3M
-67.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$327Rp 5.8M
$1,063Rp 18.8M
-69.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,465Rp 26.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,214Rp 21.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Banda Aceh
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$333Rp 5.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Banda Aceh: June 15, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $255 in Banda Aceh versus $532 in Denpasar, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Banda Aceh versus $21.00 in Denpasar, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $166 vs $244 – making Banda Aceh 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
Banda Aceh vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denpasar, Bali cheaper than Banda Aceh?
Yes – Denpasar, Bali is pricier by about 66%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $853 per month in Banda Aceh and $1,416 in Denpasar, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Banda Aceh, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $92.1 per month in Banda Aceh and $236 in Denpasar, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Banda Aceh and Denpasar, Bali?
Groceries cost about 47% more in Denpasar, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Banda Aceh or Denpasar, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Banda Aceh, where all-in costs run around $569, than in Denpasar, Bali at $944. In Banda Aceh it covers expenses comfortably, while in Denpasar, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Banda Aceh or Denpasar, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Banda Aceh – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Banda Aceh or Denpasar, Bali?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Banda Aceh. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Denpasar, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Banda Aceh vs other spots: cost of living compared