😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $959 in Denpasar, Bali versus $662 in Padang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,681 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,023 in Padang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,404 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,384 in Padang.
🌍Living in Denpasar, Bali is roughly 45% more expensive than in Padang, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali28% lower, Padang50% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.41Rp 43.5K
$1.52Rp 27.4K
58.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.01Rp 397.4K
$12.14Rp 219.2K
81.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.25Rp 58.7K
$3.37Rp 60.8K
-3.56%
Cappuccino
$1.80Rp 32.5K
$1.67Rp 30.1K
7.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87Rp 15.7K
$0.52Rp 9,369
67.31%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,400
$0.28Rp 5,080
67.86%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.95Rp 35.2K
$2.41Rp 43.6K
-19.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60Rp 47.0K
$3.44Rp 62.0K
-24.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.44Rp 26.0K
$1.21Rp 21.9K
19.01%
White Bread(500g)
$2.03Rp 36.7K
$1.18Rp 21.4K
72.03%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.91Rp 16.4K
$0.89Rp 16.1K
2.25%
Eggs
$1.97Rp 35.5K
$1.58Rp 28.5K
24.68%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.81Rp 213.2K
$7.98Rp 144.1K
47.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.42Rp 61.7K
$3.08Rp 55.5K
11.04%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.84Rp 177.6K
$7.76Rp 140.0K
26.80%
Apples(1kg)
$3.09Rp 55.8K
$2.34Rp 42.2K
32.05%
Banana(1kg)
$1.31Rp 23.7K
$1.50Rp 27.0K
-12.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.9K
$1.79Rp 32.4K
23.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.90Rp 34.3K
$1.56Rp 28.2K
21.79%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54Rp 27.8K
$1.32Rp 23.8K
16.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.87Rp 33.8K
$1.97Rp 35.5K
-5.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.82Rp 14.8K
$0.97Rp 17.5K
-15.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59Rp 10.6K
$0.44Rp 7,949
34.09%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.63Rp 47.4K
$2.51Rp 45.4K
4.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.57Rp 335.3K
$17.61Rp 317.9K
5.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27Rp 40.9K
$2.12Rp 38.3K
7.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23Rp 40.2K
$3.12Rp 56.4K
-28.53%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,720
$0.32Rp 5,862
-18.75%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.54Rp 136.1K
$10.05Rp 181.5K
-24.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,948
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-22.81%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42Rp 7,497
$0.35Rp 6,271
20.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.66Rp 102.2K
$3.00Rp 54.1K
88.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.72Rp 13.1K
$0.73Rp 13.1K
-1.37%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.9KRp 431.9M
$24.6KRp 443.9M
-2.71%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4KRp 513.6M
$28.0KRp 505.9M
1.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$71.0Rp 1.3M
$70.5Rp 1.3M
0.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.55Rp 64.2K
$4.33Rp 78.2K
-18.01%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.30Rp 384.6K
$23.02Rp 415.6K
-7.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$67.6Rp 1.2M
$23.34Rp 421.4K
189.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.47Rp 80.8K
$6.33Rp 114.2K
-29.38%
Cinema Ticket
$2.79Rp 50.4K
$3.01Rp 54.4K
-7.31%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$234Rp 4.2M
$91.7Rp 1.7M
155.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,006Rp 90.4M
$7,675Rp 138.6M
-34.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.68Rp 842.7K
$41.38Rp 747.1K
12.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.96Rp 595.0K
$30.46Rp 549.9K
8.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.0Rp 1.4M
$67.8Rp 1.2M
10.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$65.9Rp 1.2M
$73.2Rp 1.3M
-9.90%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$530Rp 9.6M
$259Rp 4.7M
105.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$347Rp 6.3M
$161Rp 2.9M
115.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,790Rp 32.3M
$589Rp 10.6M
203.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,096Rp 19.8M
$336Rp 6.1M
226.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,426Rp 25.7M
$1,296Rp 23.4M
9.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,171Rp 21.1M
$593Rp 10.7M
97.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$279Rp 5.0M
$168Rp 3.0M
66.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
9.15
45.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 26, 2026
Last update for Padang: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $530 in Denpasar, Bali and $259 in Padang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 66% 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: $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $12.00 in Padang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $242 vs $201 per month, with Padang 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 Padang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Denpasar, Bali and in Padang?
Denpasar, Bali and Padang differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($959 vs $662 including rent). Padang is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Denpasar, Bali or Padang?
Average pay runs 66% higher in Denpasar, Bali, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Denpasar, Bali and in Padang?
Rent for a central apartment: $530 in Denpasar, Bali versus $259 in Padang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Denpasar, Bali or Padang?
All in, you'll spend $959 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $662 in Padang – a 45% 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 Padang?
A monthly transit pass in Padang runs roughly 33% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $662 in Padang versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Padang but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Padang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Denpasar, Bali and Padang?
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 Padang safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Denpasar, Bali and Padang 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 Padang?
Expats usually find Padang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 45% 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