😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $909 in Denpasar, Bali versus $616 in Batam.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,516 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,017 in Batam.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,123 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,418 in Batam.
🌍Living in Denpasar, Bali is roughly 47% more expensive than in Batam, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali34% lower, Batam55% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.23Rp 39.5K
$2.01Rp 35.5K
10.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.92Rp 423.6K
$8.68Rp 153.7K
175.58%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.76Rp 66.5K
$4.07Rp 72.0K
-7.62%
Cappuccino
$1.77Rp 31.4K
$2.14Rp 38.0K
-17.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.24Rp 21.9K
$0.62Rp 11.1K
100.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,131
$0.31Rp 5,506
67.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.94Rp 34.4K
$2.60Rp 46.0K
-25.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93Rp 51.9K
$3.72Rp 65.9K
-21.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29Rp 22.9K
$1.16Rp 20.6K
11.21%
White Bread(500g)
$1.86Rp 32.9K
$1.09Rp 19.3K
70.64%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.91Rp 16.1K
$0.78Rp 13.9K
16.67%
Eggs
$1.76Rp 31.2K
$1.30Rp 23.1K
35.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.64Rp 259.2K
$7.71Rp 136.5K
89.88%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.20Rp 56.6K
$2.54Rp 45.0K
25.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.81Rp 173.7K
$4.61Rp 81.6K
112.80%
Apples(1kg)
$3.04Rp 53.8K
$2.19Rp 38.7K
38.81%
Banana(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.3K
$2.09Rp 37.0K
-36.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.87Rp 33.0K
$2.06Rp 36.6K
-9.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.4K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
50.94%
Potato(1kg)
$1.53Rp 27.0K
$0.97Rp 17.2K
57.73%
Onion(1kg)
$1.94Rp 34.3K
$1.99Rp 35.3K
-2.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.78Rp 13.8K
$1.33Rp 23.6K
-41.35%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,346
$0.45Rp 8,033
-8.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.88Rp 33.3K
$2.76Rp 48.8K
-31.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.97Rp 335.9K
$13.89Rp 245.9K
36.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87Rp 33.1K
$1.75Rp 31.1K
6.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.50Rp 44.3K
$2.49Rp 44.1K
0.40%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24Rp 4,267
$0.41Rp 7,309
-41.46%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.36Rp 130.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.43Rp 7,657
$1.14Rp 20.2K
-62.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39Rp 6,963
$0.60Rp 10.6K
-35.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.06Rp 54.1K
$3.58Rp 63.3K
-14.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 13.0K
$0.79Rp 14.0K
-7.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5KRp 399.3M
$28.5KRp 504.0M
-20.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3KRp 500.7M
$24.7KRp 438.2M
14.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.9Rp 1.3M
$72.0Rp 1.3M
5.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.96Rp 105.5K
$4.16Rp 73.6K
43.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$16.71Rp 296.0K
$23.70Rp 419.6K
-29.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$39.78Rp 704.5K
$26.92Rp 476.7K
47.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.21Rp 233.9K
$5.63Rp 99.7K
134.64%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 55.0K
$2.66Rp 47.0K
16.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$370Rp 6.6M
$83.4Rp 1.5M
344.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,428Rp 78.4M
$3,257Rp 57.7M
35.92%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.11Rp 710.2K
$32.47Rp 574.9K
23.53%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.66Rp 542.9K
$19.15Rp 339.0K
60.10%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.8Rp 1.3M
$67.0Rp 1.2M
5.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.9Rp 1.2M
$25.03Rp 443.1K
171.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585Rp 10.4M
$274Rp 4.8M
113.66%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$358Rp 6.3M
$149Rp 2.6M
140.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,846Rp 32.7M
$823Rp 14.6M
124.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$922Rp 16.3M
$514Rp 9.1M
79.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,456Rp 25.8M
$556Rp 9.8M
161.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,214Rp 21.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Batam
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$284Rp 5.0M
$354Rp 6.3M
-19.65%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
13.17
4.63%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: September 12, 2026
Last update for Batam: September 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $585 in Denpasar, Bali and $274 in Batam. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Batam pays 24% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $24.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $9.00 in Batam for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $239 vs $177 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, Getting Around. The 47% 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 24% 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: $585 in Denpasar, Bali versus $274 in Batam. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Batam?
Supermarket bills run roughly 35% higher in Denpasar, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Denpasar, Bali and in Batam?
All in, you'll spend $909 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $616 in Batam – a 47% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Denpasar, Bali or in Batam?
At $616 in Batam versus $909 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Batam but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Batam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
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 47% 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