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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $942 in Denpasar, Bali versus $660 in Batam.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,637 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,103 in Batam.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,331 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,546 in Batam.

Living in Denpasar, Bali is roughly 43% more expensive than in Batam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali 29% lower, Batam 51% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38 Rp 42.8K
$2.79 Rp 50.1K
-14.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.21 Rp 381.2K
$9.30 Rp 167.2K
128.06%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.39 Rp 61.0K
$3.54 Rp 63.5K
-4.24%
Cappuccino
$1.87 Rp 33.6K
$2.21 Rp 39.7K
-15.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86 Rp 15.5K
$1.33 Rp 24.0K
-35.34%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 Rp 8,825
$0.41 Rp 7,356
19.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.02 Rp 36.3K
$2.80 Rp 50.4K
-27.86%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54 Rp 45.7K
$4.02 Rp 72.3K
-36.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 Rp 25.5K
$1.21 Rp 21.8K
17.36%
White Bread (500g)
$2.07 Rp 37.2K
$1.21 Rp 21.8K
71.07%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
$0.85 Rp 15.3K
16.47%
Eggs
$1.96 Rp 35.2K
$1.36 Rp 24.4K
44.12%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.90 Rp 213.8K
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
46.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.50 Rp 62.9K
$2.66 Rp 47.7K
31.58%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.90 Rp 177.9K
$4.82 Rp 86.7K
105.39%
Apples (1kg)
$3.12 Rp 56.1K
$2.38 Rp 42.7K
31.09%
Banana (1kg)
$1.29 Rp 23.3K
$2.26 Rp 40.6K
-42.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 41.0K
$2.18 Rp 39.2K
4.59%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.83 Rp 32.9K
$1.10 Rp 19.8K
66.36%
Potato (1kg)
$1.55 Rp 27.9K
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
53.47%
Onion (1kg)
$1.85 Rp 33.2K
$2.16 Rp 38.8K
-14.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.82 Rp 14.7K
$1.46 Rp 26.3K
-43.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62 Rp 11.2K
$0.40 Rp 7,100
55.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65 Rp 47.6K
$2.65 Rp 47.7K
-
Wine (Bottle)
$18.39 Rp 330.6K
$13.68 Rp 245.8K
34.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 Rp 42.3K
$1.97 Rp 35.5K
19.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
$2.64 Rp 47.4K
-15.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.26 Rp 4,703
$0.47 Rp 8,417
-44.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.41 Rp 133.2K
$16.91 Rp 303.8K
-56.18%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,871
$1.26 Rp 22.6K
-65.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 Rp 6,863
$0.65 Rp 11.7K
-41.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.43 Rp 97.6K
$3.72 Rp 66.9K
45.97%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
-13.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1K Rp 414.3M
$29.7K Rp 533.1M
-22.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6K Rp 513.4M
$19.2K Rp 344.2M
49.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$72.9 Rp 1.3M
$77.8 Rp 1.4M
-6.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.72 Rp 66.9K
$3.96 Rp 71.2K
-6.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.15 Rp 380.1K
$25.92 Rp 465.8K
-18.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$68.2 Rp 1.2M
$30.33 Rp 545.1K
124.70%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.71 Rp 84.6K
$8.04 Rp 144.6K
-41.42%
Cinema Ticket
$2.81 Rp 50.6K
$3.08 Rp 55.4K
-8.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$233 Rp 4.2M
$93.3 Rp 1.7M
150.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,136 Rp 92.3M
$3,643 Rp 65.5M
40.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.35 Rp 832.9K
$35.31 Rp 634.6K
31.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.50 Rp 584.0K
$20.55 Rp 369.3K
58.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.6 Rp 1.4M
$72.4 Rp 1.3M
4.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5 Rp 1.2M
$26.40 Rp 474.4K
148.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$528 Rp 9.5M
$294 Rp 5.3M
79.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$356 Rp 6.4M
$166 Rp 3.0M
113.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,791 Rp 32.2M
$890 Rp 16.0M
101.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,090 Rp 19.6M
$560 Rp 10.1M
94.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,415 Rp 25.4M
$550 Rp 9.9M
157.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,164 Rp 20.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$278 Rp 5.0M
$334 Rp 6.0M
-16.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
13.88
-4.32%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 13, 2026

Last update for Batam: July 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $528 in Denpasar, Bali and $294 in Batam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Batam pays 20% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $21.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $9.00 in Batam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $243 vs $185 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
Denpasar, Bali vs Batam: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Batam cheaper than Denpasar, Bali?
Batam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 43% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Denpasar, Bali or Batam?
On paper, salaries run 20% lower in Batam. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Denpasar, Bali and Batam?
Rent for a central apartment: $528 in Denpasar, Bali versus $294 in Batam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Batam runs roughly 128% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $233 in Denpasar, Bali versus $93.3 in Batam. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is $1,000 enough for either Denpasar, Bali or Batam?
Either city works on $1,000 a month, though Batam gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
Is Denpasar, Bali or Batam more family-friendly?
For families, Batam is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Denpasar, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Denpasar, Bali or Batam?
Safety-wise, Denpasar, Bali and Batam 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 43% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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