Cost of Living Comparison Between Batam and Bali Cost 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 – Batam 55% lower, Bali 8% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01 Rp 35.5K
$2.76 Rp 48.9K
-27.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68 Rp 153.7K
$30.12 Rp 533.4K
-71.18%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.07 Rp 72.0K
$4.78 Rp 84.6K
-14.85%
Cappuccino
$2.14 Rp 38.0K
$2.22 Rp 39.3K
-3.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62 Rp 11.1K
$1.54 Rp 27.3K
-59.74%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 Rp 5,506
$0.68 Rp 12.1K
-54.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.60 Rp 46.0K
$2.54 Rp 45.0K
2.36%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 Rp 65.9K
$3.61 Rp 63.9K
3.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.16 Rp 20.6K
$1.46 Rp 25.8K
-20.55%
White Bread (500g)
$1.09 Rp 19.3K
$2.21 Rp 39.1K
-50.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.78 Rp 13.9K
$1.12 Rp 19.8K
-30.36%
Eggs
$1.30 Rp 23.1K
$2.03 Rp 35.9K
-35.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.71 Rp 136.5K
$16.93 Rp 299.7K
-54.46%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.54 Rp 45.0K
$3.82 Rp 67.7K
-33.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.61 Rp 81.6K
$11.86 Rp 210.1K
-61.13%
Apples (1kg)
$2.19 Rp 38.7K
$3.50 Rp 62.0K
-37.43%
Banana (1kg)
$2.09 Rp 37.0K
$1.48 Rp 26.2K
41.22%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.06 Rp 36.6K
$2.21 Rp 39.1K
-6.79%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.06 Rp 18.8K
$1.85 Rp 32.7K
-42.70%
Potato (1kg)
$0.97 Rp 17.2K
$1.82 Rp 32.2K
-46.70%
Onion (1kg)
$1.99 Rp 35.3K
$2.35 Rp 41.6K
-15.32%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.33 Rp 23.6K
$0.94 Rp 16.7K
41.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 Rp 8,033
$0.49 Rp 8,645
-8.16%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76 Rp 48.8K
$2.12 Rp 37.6K
30.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.89 Rp 245.9K
$22.02 Rp 390.0K
-36.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 31.1K
$2.28 Rp 40.4K
-23.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 Rp 44.1K
$2.91 Rp 51.4K
-14.43%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 Rp 7,309
$0.27 Rp 4,805
51.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.14 Rp 144.1K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.14 Rp 20.2K
$0.48 Rp 8,537
137.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.60 Rp 10.6K
$0.46 Rp 8,215
30.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.58 Rp 63.3K
$5.69 Rp 100.8K
-37.08%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.0K
$0.77 Rp 13.7K
2.60%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5K Rp 504.0M
$24.4K Rp 431.6M
16.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7K Rp 438.2M
$31.1K Rp 551.5M
-20.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.0 Rp 1.3M
$81.3 Rp 1.4M
-11.47%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.16 Rp 73.6K
$6.60 Rp 117.0K
-36.97%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.70 Rp 419.6K
$18.65 Rp 330.2K
27.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$26.92 Rp 476.7K
$47.53 Rp 841.6K
-43.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.63 Rp 99.7K
$15.28 Rp 270.6K
-63.15%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66 Rp 47.0K
$3.77 Rp 66.8K
-29.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$83.4 Rp 1.5M
$436 Rp 7.7M
-80.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,257 Rp 57.7M
$5,380 Rp 95.3M
-39.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.47 Rp 574.9K
$44.93 Rp 795.6K
-27.73%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.15 Rp 339.0K
$33.69 Rp 596.5K
-43.16%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$67.0 Rp 1.2M
$77.6 Rp 1.4M
-13.70%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.03 Rp 443.1K
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
-67.70%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$274 Rp 4.8M
$1,001 Rp 17.7M
-72.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$149 Rp 2.6M
$593 Rp 10.5M
-74.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$823 Rp 14.6M
$3,156 Rp 55.9M
-73.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$514 Rp 9.1M
$1,536 Rp 27.2M
-66.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$556 Rp 9.8M
$2,456 Rp 43.5M
-77.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,976 Rp 35.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$354 Rp 6.3M
$223 Rp 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.

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