😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $950 in Denpasar, Bali versus $655 in Salatiga.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,642 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,018 in Salatiga.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,334 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,380 in Salatiga.
😐Living in Denpasar, Bali is roughly 45% more expensive than Salatiga, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Denpasar, Bali29% lower, Salatiga51% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.35Rp 42.2K
$0.96Rp 17.2K
144.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$21.69Rp 388.7K
$10.08Rp 180.5K
115.18%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.23Rp 58.0K
$3.00Rp 53.8K
7.67%
Cappuccino
$1.90Rp 34.1K
$1.56Rp 28.0K
21.79%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.94Rp 16.9K
$0.35Rp 6,186
168.57%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,337
$0.23Rp 4,123
104.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.99Rp 35.6K
$2.13Rp 38.1K
-6.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.56Rp 45.8K
$3.94Rp 70.6K
-35.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.46Rp 26.1K
$1.32Rp 23.6K
10.61%
White Bread(500g)
$1.99Rp 35.6K
$1.45Rp 26.0K
37.24%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98Rp 17.6K
$0.91Rp 16.2K
7.69%
Eggs
$1.98Rp 35.5K
$1.26Rp 22.6K
57.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.75Rp 210.4K
$9.13Rp 163.6K
28.70%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.38Rp 60.5K
$2.81Rp 50.3K
20.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.83Rp 176.0K
$8.40Rp 150.6K
17.02%
Apples(1kg)
$3.00Rp 53.8K
$2.41Rp 43.2K
24.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.2K
$1.50Rp 26.9K
-13.33%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.8K
$2.16Rp 38.8K
5.56%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.81Rp 32.5K
$1.48Rp 26.6K
22.30%
Potato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$1.34Rp 24.0K
17.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.78Rp 31.8K
$1.71Rp 30.7K
4.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.80Rp 14.4K
$0.35Rp 6,338
128.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63Rp 11.2K
$0.40Rp 7,134
57.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.59Rp 46.4K
$2.22Rp 39.8K
16.67%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.61Rp 333.4K
$24.45Rp 438.0K
-23.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.24Rp 40.2K
$1.86Rp 33.3K
20.43%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32Rp 41.5K
$3.16Rp 56.7K
-26.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24Rp 4,288
$0.30Rp 5,297
-20.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.50Rp 134.4K
$9.71Rp 174.0K
-22.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.41Rp 7,327
$0.47Rp 8,434
-12.77%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,836
$0.31Rp 5,588
22.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.61Rp 100.5K
$2.80Rp 50.1K
100.36%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.7K
$0.69Rp 12.4K
11.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.6KRp 422.0M
$21.2KRp 380.5M
10.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$29.3KRp 524.1M
$35.7KRp 639.6M
-18.05%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$72.0Rp 1.3M
$85.0Rp 1.5M
-15.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.69Rp 66.1K
$4.32Rp 77.4K
-14.58%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.33Rp 382.1K
$19.52Rp 349.8K
9.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$68.8Rp 1.2M
$22.89Rp 410.1K
200.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.53Rp 81.2K
$6.29Rp 112.7K
-27.98%
Cinema Ticket
$2.89Rp 51.7K
$2.18Rp 39.0K
32.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$232Rp 4.2M
$190Rp 3.4M
22.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,015Rp 89.9M
$9,312Rp 166.8M
-46.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.98Rp 841.7K
$42.97Rp 769.8K
9.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.75Rp 586.7K
$12.45Rp 223.0K
163.05%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.5Rp 1.3M
$49.70Rp 890.4K
49.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.3Rp 1.2M
$81.8Rp 1.5M
-17.76%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$515Rp 9.2M
$260Rp 4.7M
98.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$349Rp 6.3M
$158Rp 2.8M
120.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,780Rp 31.9M
$597Rp 10.7M
198.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,083Rp 19.4M
$333Rp 6.0M
225.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,453Rp 26.0M
$1,177Rp 21.1M
23.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,186Rp 21.3M
$744Rp 13.3M
59.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Denpasar, Bali
Salatiga
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$325Rp 5.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
8.33
59.42%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 7, 2026
Last update for Salatiga: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $515 in Denpasar, Bali and $260 in Salatiga. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali vs $10.00 in Salatiga for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $241 vs $218 per month, with Salatiga 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 Salatiga: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Denpasar, Bali and Salatiga?
Denpasar, Bali and Salatiga differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($950 vs $655 including rent). Salatiga is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Denpasar, Bali compared to Salatiga?
You'd need roughly $1,425 in Denpasar, Bali and $983 in Salatiga to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Denpasar, Bali and Salatiga?
Rent for a central apartment: $515 in Denpasar, Bali versus $260 in Salatiga. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Denpasar, Bali or Salatiga?
All in, you'll spend $950 per month in Denpasar, Bali versus $655 in Salatiga – 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 Salatiga?
A monthly transit pass in Salatiga runs roughly 29% 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 $655 in Salatiga versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Salatiga but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Salatiga the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Denpasar, Bali and Salatiga?
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 Salatiga safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Denpasar, Bali and Salatiga 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 Salatiga?
Expats usually find Salatiga 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