😐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, Bali29% lower, Batam51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38Rp 42.8K
$2.79Rp 50.1K
-14.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.21Rp 381.2K
$9.30Rp 167.2K
128.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.39Rp 61.0K
$3.54Rp 63.5K
-4.24%
Cappuccino
$1.87Rp 33.6K
$2.21Rp 39.7K
-15.38%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86Rp 15.5K
$1.33Rp 24.0K
-35.34%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,825
$0.41Rp 7,356
19.51%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02Rp 36.3K
$2.80Rp 50.4K
-27.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54Rp 45.7K
$4.02Rp 72.3K
-36.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42Rp 25.5K
$1.21Rp 21.8K
17.36%
White Bread(500g)
$2.07Rp 37.2K
$1.21Rp 21.8K
71.07%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99Rp 17.9K
$0.85Rp 15.3K
16.47%
Eggs
$1.96Rp 35.2K
$1.36Rp 24.4K
44.12%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.90Rp 213.8K
$8.11Rp 145.7K
46.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.50Rp 62.9K
$2.66Rp 47.7K
31.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.90Rp 177.9K
$4.82Rp 86.7K
105.39%
Apples(1kg)
$3.12Rp 56.1K
$2.38Rp 42.7K
31.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.3K
$2.26Rp 40.6K
-42.92%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.28Rp 41.0K
$2.18Rp 39.2K
4.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.83Rp 32.9K
$1.10Rp 19.8K
66.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.9K
$1.01Rp 18.1K
53.47%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.2K
$2.16Rp 38.8K
-14.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.82Rp 14.7K
$1.46Rp 26.3K
-43.84%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.2K
$0.40Rp 7,100
55.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65Rp 47.6K
$2.65Rp 47.7K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$18.39Rp 330.6K
$13.68Rp 245.8K
34.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35Rp 42.3K
$1.97Rp 35.5K
19.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24Rp 40.2K
$2.64Rp 47.4K
-15.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,703
$0.47Rp 8,417
-44.68%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.41Rp 133.2K
$16.91Rp 303.8K
-56.18%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,871
$1.26Rp 22.6K
-65.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,863
$0.65Rp 11.7K
-41.54%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.43Rp 97.6K
$3.72Rp 66.9K
45.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72Rp 12.9K
$0.83Rp 14.9K
-13.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KRp 414.3M
$29.7KRp 533.1M
-22.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6KRp 513.4M
$19.2KRp 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)
$72.9Rp 1.3M
$77.8Rp 1.4M
-6.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.72Rp 66.9K
$3.96Rp 71.2K
-6.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.15Rp 380.1K
$25.92Rp 465.8K
-18.40%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.2Rp 1.2M
$30.33Rp 545.1K
124.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.71Rp 84.6K
$8.04Rp 144.6K
-41.42%
Cinema Ticket
$2.81Rp 50.6K
$3.08Rp 55.4K
-8.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$233Rp 4.2M
$93.3Rp 1.7M
150.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,136Rp 92.3M
$3,643Rp 65.5M
40.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.35Rp 832.9K
$35.31Rp 634.6K
31.27%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.50Rp 584.0K
$20.55Rp 369.3K
58.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.6Rp 1.4M
$72.4Rp 1.3M
4.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5Rp 1.2M
$26.40Rp 474.4K
148.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$528Rp 9.5M
$294Rp 5.3M
79.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356Rp 6.4M
$166Rp 3.0M
113.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,791Rp 32.2M
$890Rp 16.0M
101.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,090Rp 19.6M
$560Rp 10.1M
94.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,415Rp 25.4M
$550Rp 9.9M
157.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,164Rp 20.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$278Rp 5.0M
$334Rp 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.
Denpasar, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared