Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and BaliCost 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 – Batam50% lower, Bali4% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.78Rp 49.8K
$2.97Rp 53.2K
-6.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.36Rp 167.7K
$26.53Rp 475.6K
-64.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.63Rp 65.1K
$4.09Rp 73.3K
-11.25%
Cappuccino
$2.11Rp 37.9K
$2.25Rp 40.3K
-6.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.28Rp 23.0K
$1.14Rp 20.5K
12.28%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,417
$0.62Rp 11.2K
-33.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.81Rp 50.3K
$2.42Rp 43.4K
16.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.06Rp 72.8K
$3.30Rp 59.1K
23.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$1.73Rp 30.9K
-30.64%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 21.6K
$2.42Rp 43.3K
-50.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86Rp 15.4K
$1.15Rp 20.6K
-25.22%
Eggs
$1.35Rp 24.2K
$2.31Rp 41.4K
-41.56%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.05Rp 144.4K
$13.70Rp 245.6K
-41.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.65Rp 47.5K
$4.13Rp 74.1K
-35.84%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.91Rp 88.1K
$11.33Rp 203.1K
-56.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39Rp 42.9K
$3.45Rp 61.9K
-30.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.18Rp 39.2K
$1.53Rp 27.3K
42.48%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.23Rp 39.9K
$2.70Rp 48.4K
-17.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.15Rp 20.6K
$2.15Rp 38.5K
-46.51%
Potato(1kg)
$0.99Rp 17.8K
$1.83Rp 32.7K
-45.90%
Onion(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.6K
$2.13Rp 38.2K
-1.41%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.46Rp 26.1K
$0.98Rp 17.6K
48.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,145
$0.67Rp 12.1K
-40.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.74Rp 49.2K
$3.16Rp 56.7K
-13.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.28Rp 255.9K
$22.80Rp 408.7K
-37.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.95Rp 35.0K
$2.65Rp 47.5K
-26.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.61Rp 46.7K
$2.72Rp 48.8K
-4.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.47Rp 8,359
$0.27Rp 4,801
74.07%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$16.67Rp 298.8K
$8.46Rp 151.7K
97.04%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.21Rp 21.6K
$0.46Rp 8,191
163.04%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63Rp 11.4K
$0.46Rp 8,207
36.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.74Rp 67.0K
$6.00Rp 107.6K
-37.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.82Rp 14.7K
-7.32%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.8KRp 533.5M
$26.0KRp 466.0M
14.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7KRp 335.2M
$31.9KRp 571.2M
-41.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.5Rp 1.4M
$79.7Rp 1.4M
-5.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.13Rp 74.1K
$3.92Rp 70.3K
5.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.19Rp 451.5K
$24.36Rp 436.6K
3.41%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.45Rp 527.9K
$82.3Rp 1.5M
-64.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.27Rp 148.3K
$5.30Rp 94.9K
56.04%
Cinema Ticket
$3.12Rp 56.0K
$3.44Rp 61.7K
-9.30%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.3Rp 1.6M
$267Rp 4.8M
-65.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,649Rp 65.4M
$5,920Rp 106.1M
-38.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$35.38Rp 634.1K
$51.0Rp 914.4K
-30.64%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.60Rp 369.3K
$36.67Rp 657.3K
-43.82%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.9Rp 1.3M
$83.9Rp 1.5M
-14.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.15Rp 468.7K
$74.8Rp 1.3M
-65.03%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$300Rp 5.4M
$854Rp 15.3M
-64.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$161Rp 2.9M
$574Rp 10.3M
-71.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$915Rp 16.4M
$2,981Rp 53.4M
-69.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$556Rp 10.0M
$1,784Rp 32.0M
-68.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$563Rp 10.1M
$2,374Rp 42.6M
-76.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,973Rp 35.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$346Rp 6.2M
$223Rp 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.