Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $664 per month in Batam vs $1,288 in Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,132 per month in Batam vs $2,328 in Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,600 per month in Batam vs $3,367 in Bali, rent included.

Batam is about 48% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Batam and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Batam 50% lower, Bali 4% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
$2.97 Rp 53.2K
-6.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.36 Rp 167.7K
$26.53 Rp 475.6K
-64.72%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.63 Rp 65.1K
$4.09 Rp 73.3K
-11.25%
Cappuccino
$2.11 Rp 37.9K
$2.25 Rp 40.3K
-6.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28 Rp 23.0K
$1.14 Rp 20.5K
12.28%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 Rp 7,417
$0.62 Rp 11.2K
-33.87%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.81 Rp 50.3K
$2.42 Rp 43.4K
16.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06 Rp 72.8K
$3.30 Rp 59.1K
23.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.20 Rp 21.5K
$1.73 Rp 30.9K
-30.64%
White Bread (500g)
$1.20 Rp 21.6K
$2.42 Rp 43.3K
-50.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.86 Rp 15.4K
$1.15 Rp 20.6K
-25.22%
Eggs
$1.35 Rp 24.2K
$2.31 Rp 41.4K
-41.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.05 Rp 144.4K
$13.70 Rp 245.6K
-41.24%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.65 Rp 47.5K
$4.13 Rp 74.1K
-35.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.91 Rp 88.1K
$11.33 Rp 203.1K
-56.66%
Apples (1kg)
$2.39 Rp 42.9K
$3.45 Rp 61.9K
-30.72%
Banana (1kg)
$2.18 Rp 39.2K
$1.53 Rp 27.3K
42.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 39.9K
$2.70 Rp 48.4K
-17.41%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.15 Rp 20.6K
$2.15 Rp 38.5K
-46.51%
Potato (1kg)
$0.99 Rp 17.8K
$1.83 Rp 32.7K
-45.90%
Onion (1kg)
$2.10 Rp 37.6K
$2.13 Rp 38.2K
-1.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 Rp 26.1K
$0.98 Rp 17.6K
48.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 Rp 7,145
$0.67 Rp 12.1K
-40.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
$3.16 Rp 56.7K
-13.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.28 Rp 255.9K
$22.80 Rp 408.7K
-37.37%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95 Rp 35.0K
$2.65 Rp 47.5K
-26.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61 Rp 46.7K
$2.72 Rp 48.8K
-4.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.47 Rp 8,359
$0.27 Rp 4,801
74.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.67 Rp 298.8K
$8.46 Rp 151.7K
97.04%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.21 Rp 21.6K
$0.46 Rp 8,191
163.04%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.63 Rp 11.4K
$0.46 Rp 8,207
36.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.74 Rp 67.0K
$6.00 Rp 107.6K
-37.67%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 Rp 13.6K
$0.82 Rp 14.7K
-7.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8K Rp 533.5M
$26.0K Rp 466.0M
14.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7K Rp 335.2M
$31.9K Rp 571.2M
-41.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$75.5 Rp 1.4M
$79.7 Rp 1.4M
-5.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.13 Rp 74.1K
$3.92 Rp 70.3K
5.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.19 Rp 451.5K
$24.36 Rp 436.6K
3.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.45 Rp 527.9K
$82.3 Rp 1.5M
-64.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.27 Rp 148.3K
$5.30 Rp 94.9K
56.04%
Cinema Ticket
$3.12 Rp 56.0K
$3.44 Rp 61.7K
-9.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$91.3 Rp 1.6M
$267 Rp 4.8M
-65.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,649 Rp 65.4M
$5,920 Rp 106.1M
-38.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.38 Rp 634.1K
$51.0 Rp 914.4K
-30.64%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.60 Rp 369.3K
$36.67 Rp 657.3K
-43.82%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.9 Rp 1.3M
$83.9 Rp 1.5M
-14.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.15 Rp 468.7K
$74.8 Rp 1.3M
-65.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$300 Rp 5.4M
$854 Rp 15.3M
-64.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$161 Rp 2.9M
$574 Rp 10.3M
-71.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$915 Rp 16.4M
$2,981 Rp 53.4M
-69.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$556 Rp 10.0M
$1,784 Rp 32.0M
-68.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$563 Rp 10.1M
$2,374 Rp 42.6M
-76.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,973 Rp 35.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$346 Rp 6.2M
$223 Rp 4.0M
55.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.88
13.28
4.52%

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

Last update for Batam: May 31, 2026

Last update for Bali: May 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $300 in Batam versus $854 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 55% higher in Batam, 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 $9.00 in Batam versus $27.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $186 vs $285 – making Batam 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
Batam vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Batam or Bali?
Bali costs about 94% more than Batam, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Batam vs Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $996 per month in Batam and $1,932 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Batam or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Batam, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Batam vs Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Batam and $27.00 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 Batam compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $664 in Batam and $1,288 in Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Batam or Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Batam, where all-in costs run around $664, than in Bali at $1,288. In Batam it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Batam or Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Batam costs $664 versus $1,288 in Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Batam compared to 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.
Should I move to Batam or Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Batam. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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