😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $940 in Denpasar, Bali versus $677 in Padang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,630 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,039 in Padang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,320 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,401 in Padang.
😐Living in Denpasar, Bali is roughly 39% more expensive than Padang, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali30% lower, Padang49% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.38Rp 41.3K
$1.57Rp 27.2K
51.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.86Rp 379.0K
$12.46Rp 216.0K
75.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.30Rp 57.2K
$3.30Rp 57.1K
-
Cappuccino
$1.90Rp 33.0K
$1.73Rp 30.0K
9.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89Rp 15.4K
$0.54Rp 9,428
64.81%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,522
$0.28Rp 4,875
75.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.95Rp 33.8K
$2.44Rp 42.2K
-20.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.51Rp 43.6K
$3.59Rp 62.3K
-30.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.41Rp 24.4K
$1.21Rp 21.0K
16.53%
White Bread(500g)
$2.04Rp 35.4K
$1.13Rp 19.6K
80.53%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.96Rp 16.7K
$0.90Rp 15.6K
6.67%
Eggs
$2.00Rp 34.7K
$1.59Rp 27.6K
25.79%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.70Rp 202.8K
$8.06Rp 139.7K
45.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.43Rp 59.4K
$3.20Rp 55.4K
7.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.53Rp 165.2K
$7.82Rp 135.5K
21.87%
Apples(1kg)
$3.10Rp 53.8K
$2.39Rp 41.5K
29.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.26Rp 21.8K
$1.49Rp 25.8K
-15.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.29Rp 39.6K
$1.81Rp 31.4K
26.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.87Rp 32.4K
$1.57Rp 27.2K
19.11%
Potato(1kg)
$1.62Rp 28.0K
$1.33Rp 23.0K
21.80%
Onion(1kg)
$1.78Rp 30.9K
$1.94Rp 33.6K
-8.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81Rp 14.0K
$0.97Rp 16.8K
-16.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.58Rp 9,999
$0.41Rp 7,095
41.46%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64Rp 45.8K
$2.56Rp 44.4K
3.13%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.10Rp 331.1K
$25.62Rp 444.0K
-25.45%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32Rp 40.1K
$2.02Rp 35.0K
14.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26Rp 39.1K
$3.24Rp 56.2K
-30.25%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,527
$0.29Rp 5,108
-10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.43Rp 128.7K
$9.63Rp 166.9K
-22.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.40Rp 6,918
$0.58Rp 9,975
-31.03%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.41Rp 7,189
$0.38Rp 6,501
7.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.40Rp 93.6K
$2.86Rp 49.5K
88.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.2K
$0.78Rp 13.5K
-2.56%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KRp 402.6M
$24.9KRp 431.8M
-6.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4KRp 492.9M
$27.2KRp 472.1M
4.40%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$73.2Rp 1.3M
$70.0Rp 1.2M
4.57%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.67Rp 63.7K
$4.39Rp 76.0K
-16.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.40Rp 370.9K
$23.09Rp 400.1K
-7.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$69.5Rp 1.2M
$22.59Rp 391.6K
207.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.67Rp 80.9K
$6.00Rp 104.0K
-22.17%
Cinema Ticket
$2.81Rp 48.7K
$3.16Rp 54.8K
-11.08%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$234Rp 4.1M
$93.1Rp 1.6M
151.25%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,114Rp 88.6M
$7,495Rp 129.9M
-31.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.27Rp 801.9K
$41.51Rp 719.4K
11.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.20Rp 558.1K
$31.12Rp 539.4K
3.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.0Rp 1.3M
$66.5Rp 1.2M
11.27%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.2Rp 1.2M
$75.3Rp 1.3M
-10.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$512Rp 8.9M
$253Rp 4.4M
102.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$344Rp 6.0M
$157Rp 2.7M
119.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,804Rp 31.3M
$597Rp 10.3M
202.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,064Rp 18.4M
$328Rp 5.7M
224.76%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,591Rp 27.6M
$1,127Rp 19.5M
41.19%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,226Rp 21.2M
$780Rp 13.5M
57.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Padang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$293Rp 5.1M
$177Rp 3.1M
65.29%
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: April 26, 2026
Last update for Padang: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $512 in Denpasar, Bali and $253 in Padang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 65% 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 $218 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 Padang?
Denpasar, Bali and Padang differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($940 vs $677 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?
Denpasar, Bali pays 65% more on average, 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 Padang?
Rent for a central apartment: $512 in Denpasar, Bali versus $253 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 $940 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $677 in Padang – a 39% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Denpasar, Bali and Padang?
A monthly transit pass in Padang runs roughly 30% 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 $677 in Padang versus $940 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 39% 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