🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $616 in Batam versus $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,017 in Batam versus $2,928 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,418 in Batam versus $4,171 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🌍Living in Batam costs roughly 63% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Batam is 55% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.01Rp 35.5K
$4.11Rp 72.8K
-51.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68Rp 153.7K
$43.57Rp 771.5K
-80.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.07Rp 72.0K
$6.64Rp 117.6K
-38.70%
Cappuccino
$2.14Rp 38.0K
$3.38Rp 59.8K
-36.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.1K
$2.19Rp 38.8K
-71.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31Rp 5,506
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-69.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.60Rp 46.0K
$3.56Rp 63.1K
-26.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72Rp 65.9K
$5.43Rp 96.1K
-31.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16Rp 20.6K
$1.66Rp 29.4K
-30.12%
White Bread(500g)
$1.09Rp 19.3K
$2.46Rp 43.6K
-55.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-35.54%
Eggs
$1.30Rp 23.1K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
-43.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.71Rp 136.5K
$18.21Rp 322.4K
-57.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.54Rp 45.0K
$4.21Rp 74.5K
-39.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.61Rp 81.6K
$13.07Rp 231.4K
-64.73%
Apples(1kg)
$2.19Rp 38.7K
$3.91Rp 69.3K
-43.99%
Banana(1kg)
$2.09Rp 37.0K
$1.63Rp 28.9K
28.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.06Rp 36.6K
$2.47Rp 43.8K
-16.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.06Rp 18.8K
$2.06Rp 36.4K
-48.54%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.2K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-48.95%
Onion(1kg)
$1.99Rp 35.3K
$2.59Rp 45.8K
-23.17%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.33Rp 23.6K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
25.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,033
$0.56Rp 9,996
-19.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.76Rp 48.8K
$2.41Rp 42.6K
14.52%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.89Rp 245.9K
$24.21Rp 428.6K
-42.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 31.1K
$2.50Rp 44.2K
-30.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49Rp 44.1K
$3.11Rp 55.0K
-19.94%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,309
$0.31Rp 5,577
32.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$10.28Rp 181.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.14Rp 20.2K
$0.57Rp 10.1K
100.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$0.58Rp 10.2K
3.45%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.58Rp 63.3K
$2.69Rp 47.5K
33.09%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-21.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.5KRp 504.0M
$30.3KRp 536.2M
-5.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.7KRp 438.2M
$39.3KRp 696.4M
-37.08%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.0Rp 1.3M
$89.9Rp 1.6M
-19.98%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.16Rp 73.6K
$7.40Rp 131.0K
-43.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.70Rp 419.6K
$20.52Rp 363.4K
15.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.92Rp 476.7K
$65.8Rp 1.2M
-59.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.63Rp 99.7K
$21.34Rp 377.8K
-73.62%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66Rp 47.0K
$5.21Rp 92.3K
-48.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$83.4Rp 1.5M
$544Rp 9.6M
-84.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,257Rp 57.7M
$6,707Rp 118.8M
-51.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$32.47Rp 574.9K
$51.1Rp 904.7K
-36.45%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.15Rp 339.0K
$39.15Rp 693.2K
-51.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.0Rp 1.2M
$89.5Rp 1.6M
-25.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$25.03Rp 443.1K
$87.8Rp 1.6M
-71.49%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$274Rp 4.8M
$1,556Rp 27.6M
-82.40%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$149Rp 2.6M
$924Rp 16.4M
-83.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$823Rp 14.6M
$4,848Rp 85.8M
-83.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$514Rp 9.1M
$2,307Rp 40.9M
-77.74%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$556Rp 9.8M
$3,720Rp 65.9M
-85.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,051Rp 54.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$354Rp 6.3M
-
-
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 Uluwatu, Bali: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $274 in Batam and $1,556 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Batam vs $44.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $177 vs $309 per month, with Batam cheaper across the board.
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 Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Batam?
Batam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 173% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $925 in Batam and $2,528 in Uluwatu, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Batam and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $274 in Batam versus $1,556 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Batam and in Uluwatu, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 75% higher in Uluwatu, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Batam and in Uluwatu, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $616 per month in Batam versus $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali – a 173% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Batam or in Uluwatu, Bali?
At $616 in Batam versus $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Batam but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Batam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Batam or Uluwatu, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Batam is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Uluwatu, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Batam or Uluwatu, Bali?
Safety-wise, Batam and Uluwatu, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Batam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 173% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.