Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and BaliCost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Bali
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $616 per month in Batam vs $1,265 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,017 per month in Batam vs $2,121 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,418 per month in Batam vs $2,978 in Bali, rent included.
🙂Batam is about 51% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Batam and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Batam55% lower, Bali8% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01Rp 35.5K
$2.76Rp 48.9K
-27.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68Rp 153.7K
$30.12Rp 533.4K
-71.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.07Rp 72.0K
$4.78Rp 84.6K
-14.85%
Cappuccino
$2.14Rp 38.0K
$2.22Rp 39.3K
-3.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.1K
$1.54Rp 27.3K
-59.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31Rp 5,506
$0.68Rp 12.1K
-54.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.60Rp 46.0K
$2.54Rp 45.0K
2.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72Rp 65.9K
$3.61Rp 63.9K
3.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16Rp 20.6K
$1.46Rp 25.8K
-20.55%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09Rp 19.3K
$2.21Rp 39.1K
-50.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.12Rp 19.8K
-30.36%
Eggs
$1.30Rp 23.1K
$2.03Rp 35.9K
-35.96%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.71Rp 136.5K
$16.93Rp 299.7K
-54.46%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.54Rp 45.0K
$3.82Rp 67.7K
-33.51%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.61Rp 81.6K
$11.86Rp 210.1K
-61.13%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19Rp 38.7K
$3.50Rp 62.0K
-37.43%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09Rp 37.0K
$1.48Rp 26.2K
41.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06Rp 36.6K
$2.21Rp 39.1K
-6.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06Rp 18.8K
$1.85Rp 32.7K
-42.70%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.2K
$1.82Rp 32.2K
-46.70%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99Rp 35.3K
$2.35Rp 41.6K
-15.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33Rp 23.6K
$0.94Rp 16.7K
41.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,033
$0.49Rp 8,645
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76Rp 48.8K
$2.12Rp 37.6K
30.19%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.89Rp 245.9K
$22.02Rp 390.0K
-36.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 31.1K
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-23.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49Rp 44.1K
$2.91Rp 51.4K
-14.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,309
$0.27Rp 4,805
51.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.14Rp 144.1K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14Rp 20.2K
$0.48Rp 8,537
137.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$0.46Rp 8,215
30.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.58Rp 63.3K
$5.69Rp 100.8K
-37.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
2.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRp 504.0M
$24.4KRp 431.6M
16.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7KRp 438.2M
$31.1KRp 551.5M
-20.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.0Rp 1.3M
$81.3Rp 1.4M
-11.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.16Rp 73.6K
$6.60Rp 117.0K
-36.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.70Rp 419.6K
$18.65Rp 330.2K
27.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.92Rp 476.7K
$47.53Rp 841.6K
-43.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.63Rp 99.7K
$15.28Rp 270.6K
-63.15%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66Rp 47.0K
$3.77Rp 66.8K
-29.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$83.4Rp 1.5M
$436Rp 7.7M
-80.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,257Rp 57.7M
$5,380Rp 95.3M
-39.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.47Rp 574.9K
$44.93Rp 795.6K
-27.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.15Rp 339.0K
$33.69Rp 596.5K
-43.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.0Rp 1.2M
$77.6Rp 1.4M
-13.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.03Rp 443.1K
$77.5Rp 1.4M
-67.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$274Rp 4.8M
$1,001Rp 17.7M
-72.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149Rp 2.6M
$593Rp 10.5M
-74.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$823Rp 14.6M
$3,156Rp 55.9M
-73.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$514Rp 9.1M
$1,536Rp 27.2M
-66.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$556Rp 9.8M
$2,456Rp 43.5M
-77.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,976Rp 35.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$354Rp 6.3M
$223Rp 3.9M
58.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.17
13.78
-4.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Batam: September 13, 2026
Last update for Bali: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $274 in Batam versus $1,001 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 59% 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 $30.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $177 vs $280 – 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 105% 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 and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $925 per month in Batam and $1,898 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 much does it cost to live in Batam compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $616 in Batam and $1,265 in Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Batam and in Bali?
Kindergarten costs $83.4 per month in Batam and $436 in Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Batam or in Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Batam, where all-in costs run around $616, than in Bali at $1,265. 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 $616 versus $1,265 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 to 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.