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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $660 per month in Batam vs $1,290 in Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,103 per month in Batam vs $2,302 in Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,546 per month in Batam vs $3,314 in Bali, rent included.

Batam is about 49% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Batam and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Batam 51% lower, Bali 3% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.79 Rp 50.1K
$2.86 Rp 51.4K
-2.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.30 Rp 167.2K
$27.11 Rp 487.2K
-65.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.54 Rp 63.5K
$4.25 Rp 76.3K
-16.71%
Cappuccino
$2.21 Rp 39.7K
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
-1.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.33 Rp 24.0K
$1.15 Rp 20.6K
15.65%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41 Rp 7,356
$0.58 Rp 10.5K
-29.31%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.80 Rp 50.4K
$2.42 Rp 43.5K
15.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.02 Rp 72.3K
$3.32 Rp 59.6K
21.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 Rp 21.8K
$1.66 Rp 29.9K
-27.11%
White Bread (500g)
$1.21 Rp 21.8K
$2.44 Rp 43.8K
-50.41%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.85 Rp 15.3K
$1.09 Rp 19.6K
-22.02%
Eggs
$1.36 Rp 24.4K
$2.25 Rp 40.5K
-39.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
$13.93 Rp 250.3K
-41.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.66 Rp 47.7K
$4.10 Rp 73.7K
-35.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.82 Rp 86.7K
$11.34 Rp 203.8K
-57.50%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 Rp 42.7K
$3.66 Rp 65.8K
-34.97%
Banana (1kg)
$2.26 Rp 40.6K
$1.54 Rp 27.7K
46.75%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.18 Rp 39.2K
$2.66 Rp 47.8K
-18.05%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.10 Rp 19.8K
$2.21 Rp 39.7K
-50.23%
Potato (1kg)
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
$1.82 Rp 32.6K
-44.51%
Onion (1kg)
$2.16 Rp 38.8K
$2.08 Rp 37.4K
3.85%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.46 Rp 26.3K
$1.04 Rp 18.6K
40.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40 Rp 7,100
$0.69 Rp 12.3K
-42.03%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65 Rp 47.7K
$3.10 Rp 55.8K
-14.52%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.68 Rp 245.8K
$22.34 Rp 401.5K
-38.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.97 Rp 35.5K
$2.62 Rp 47.2K
-24.81%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64 Rp 47.4K
$2.65 Rp 47.6K
-0.38%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.47 Rp 8,417
$0.27 Rp 4,804
74.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$16.91 Rp 303.8K
$8.19 Rp 147.1K
106.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.26 Rp 22.6K
$0.45 Rp 8,084
180.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.65 Rp 11.7K
$0.46 Rp 8,243
41.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.72 Rp 66.9K
$5.99 Rp 107.7K
-37.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
$0.82 Rp 14.7K
1.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.7K Rp 533.1M
$26.0K Rp 466.5M
14.28%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.2K Rp 344.2M
$32.6K Rp 585.7M
-41.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.8 Rp 1.4M
$79.4 Rp 1.4M
-1.99%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.96 Rp 71.2K
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
-2.70%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.92 Rp 465.8K
$24.04 Rp 432.1K
7.82%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$30.33 Rp 545.1K
$80.6 Rp 1.4M
-62.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.04 Rp 144.6K
$5.47 Rp 98.2K
46.98%
Cinema Ticket
$3.08 Rp 55.4K
$3.29 Rp 59.1K
-6.38%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$93.3 Rp 1.7M
$273 Rp 4.9M
-65.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,643 Rp 65.5M
$6,104 Rp 109.7M
-40.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.31 Rp 634.6K
$52.5 Rp 943.7K
-32.76%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.55 Rp 369.3K
$37.11 Rp 666.9K
-44.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$72.4 Rp 1.3M
$83.2 Rp 1.5M
-12.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.40 Rp 474.4K
$72.8 Rp 1.3M
-63.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$294 Rp 5.3M
$860 Rp 15.5M
-65.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$166 Rp 3.0M
$582 Rp 10.5M
-71.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$890 Rp 16.0M
$2,932 Rp 52.7M
-69.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$560 Rp 10.1M
$1,801 Rp 32.4M
-68.91%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$550 Rp 9.9M
$2,406 Rp 43.2M
-77.14%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,957 Rp 35.2M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$334 Rp 6.0M
$221 Rp 4.0M
50.93%
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: July 13, 2026

Last update for Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $294 in Batam versus $860 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 51% 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: $185 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 95% 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 $990 per month in Batam and $1,935 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 and in 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 $660 in Batam and $1,290 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 in Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Batam, where all-in costs run around $660, than in Bali at $1,290. 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 $660 versus $1,290 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.

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