🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $942 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,031 in Medellin.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,637 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,599 in Medellin.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,331 in Denpasar, Bali versus $2,167 in Medellin.
🌍Living in Denpasar, Bali costs roughly 9% less than in Medellin, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali29% lower, Medellin23% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38Rp 42.8K
$6.16COP 20.1K
-61.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.21Rp 380.5K
$32.60COP 106.1K
-34.94%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.39Rp 60.9K
$7.34COP 23.9K
-53.81%
Cappuccino
$1.87Rp 33.6K
$1.72COP 5,600
8.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.86Rp 15.4K
$1.05COP 3,420
-18.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,810
$0.77COP 2,515
-36.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.02Rp 36.2K
$1.69COP 5,488
19.53%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.54Rp 45.6K
$3.17COP 10.3K
-19.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42Rp 25.4K
$1.05COP 3,423
35.24%
White Bread(500g)
$2.07Rp 37.1K
$1.30COP 4,236
59.23%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99Rp 17.8K
$1.40COP 4,544
-29.29%
Eggs
$1.96Rp 35.2K
$2.16COP 7,047
-9.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.90Rp 213.4K
$4.39COP 14.3K
171.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.50Rp 62.8K
$5.88COP 19.1K
-40.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.90Rp 177.6K
$8.64COP 28.1K
14.58%
Apples(1kg)
$3.12Rp 56.0K
$2.28COP 7,426
36.84%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.2K
$1.11COP 3,604
16.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.28Rp 41.0K
$1.53COP 4,983
49.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.83Rp 32.9K
$1.35COP 4,410
35.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.9K
$1.13COP 3,674
37.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.1K
$1.13COP 3,692
63.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.82Rp 14.6K
$0.85COP 2,753
-3.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.2K
$0.91COP 2,975
-31.87%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65Rp 47.5K
$2.34COP 7,630
13.25%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.39Rp 330.0K
$12.37COP 40.3K
48.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35Rp 42.2K
$1.20COP 3,909
95.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24Rp 40.2K
$2.49COP 8,104
-10.04%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,695
$0.84COP 2,728
-69.05%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.41Rp 133.0K
$40.57COP 132.1K
-81.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,857
$1.42COP 4,623
-69.01%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,851
$1.92COP 6,235
-80.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.43Rp 97.4K
$7.66COP 24.9K
-29.11%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72Rp 12.9K
$0.99COP 3,223
-27.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KRp 413.5M
$18.0KCOP 58.7M
27.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.6KRp 512.5M
$26.6KCOP 86.7M
7.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.9Rp 1.3M
$80.8COP 263.1K
-9.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.72Rp 66.8K
$9.95COP 32.4K
-62.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.15Rp 379.4K
$24.18COP 78.7K
-12.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.2Rp 1.2M
$25.08COP 81.7K
171.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.71Rp 84.4K
$19.15COP 62.3K
-75.40%
Cinema Ticket
$2.81Rp 50.5K
$3.98COP 13.0K
-29.40%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$233Rp 4.2M
$305COP 993.5K
-23.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,136Rp 92.1M
$6,059COP 19.7M
-15.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.35Rp 831.4K
$58.1COP 189.2K
-20.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.50Rp 583.0K
$32.20COP 104.8K
0.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.6Rp 1.4M
$101COP 327.9K
-24.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.5Rp 1.2M
$108COP 350.8K
-39.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$528Rp 9.5M
$477COP 1.6M
10.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$356Rp 6.4M
$376COP 1.2M
-5.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,791Rp 32.1M
$845COP 2.7M
112.01%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,090Rp 19.5M
$730COP 2.4M
49.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,415Rp 25.4M
$3,215COP 10.5M
-56.00%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,164Rp 20.9M
$1,372COP 4.5M
-15.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Medellin
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$278Rp 5.0M
$617COP 2.0M
-55.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
13.43
-1.12%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 13, 2026
Last update for Medellin: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $528 in Denpasar, Bali and $477 in Medellin. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Medellin pays 122% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $21.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $33.00 in Medellin. Groceries flip the comparison at $243 vs $193, with Medellin cheaper for home cooking.
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 Medellin: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Denpasar, Bali and in Medellin?
Denpasar, Bali and Medellin differ by about 9% in total monthly costs ($942 vs $1,031 including rent). Denpasar, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 122% lower in Medellin. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Medellin?
Rent for a central apartment: $528 in Denpasar, Bali versus $477 in Medellin. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Denpasar, Bali or Medellin?
All in, you'll spend $942 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,031 in Medellin – a 9% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Medellin?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 448% less than in Medellin. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $942 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,031 in Medellin, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Denpasar, Bali but tight or insufficient in Medellin. The gap between the two cities makes Denpasar, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Denpasar, Bali and Medellin?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Denpasar, Bali or Medellin safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Denpasar, Bali and Medellin are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Denpasar, Bali or Medellin?
Expats usually find Denpasar, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 9% less than in Medellin. 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