Cost of Living Comparison Between Makassar and BaliCost of Living Comparison Between Makassar and Bali
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $665 per month in Makassar vs $1,290 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,003 per month in Makassar vs $2,302 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,341 per month in Makassar vs $3,314 in Bali, rent included.
🙂Makassar is about 48% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both Makassar and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Makassar50% lower, Bali3% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.03Rp 54.2K
$2.86Rp 51.1K
5.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.36Rp 167.5K
$27.11Rp 485.0K
-65.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.00Rp 53.7K
$4.25Rp 76.0K
-29.41%
Cappuccino
$1.80Rp 32.3K
$2.24Rp 40.1K
-19.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.65Rp 11.7K
$1.15Rp 20.5K
-43.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,117
$0.58Rp 10.5K
-31.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.61Rp 64.6K
$2.42Rp 43.3K
49.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.63Rp 64.9K
$3.32Rp 59.4K
9.34%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.63Rp 29.2K
$1.66Rp 29.8K
-1.81%
White Bread(500g)
$1.08Rp 19.3K
$2.44Rp 43.6K
-55.74%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.4K
$1.09Rp 19.6K
-41.28%
Eggs
$1.43Rp 25.6K
$2.25Rp 40.3K
-36.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.37Rp 96.1K
$13.93Rp 249.2K
-61.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.83Rp 50.6K
$4.10Rp 73.4K
-30.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.26Rp 76.2K
$11.34Rp 202.9K
-62.43%
Apples(1kg)
$2.23Rp 40.0K
$3.66Rp 65.5K
-39.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59Rp 28.4K
$1.54Rp 27.6K
3.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.83Rp 32.7K
$2.66Rp 47.6K
-31.20%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.0K
$2.21Rp 39.6K
-28.96%
Potato(1kg)
$1.25Rp 22.4K
$1.82Rp 32.5K
-31.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.56Rp 28.0K
$2.08Rp 37.2K
-25.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.45Rp 7,975
$1.04Rp 18.5K
-56.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,444
$0.69Rp 12.3K
-31.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.52Rp 45.0K
$3.10Rp 55.5K
-18.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.33Rp 399.5K
$22.34Rp 399.7K
-0.04%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02Rp 36.1K
$2.62Rp 47.0K
-22.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.43Rp 43.4K
$2.65Rp 47.4K
-8.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,280
$0.27Rp 4,782
11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.56Rp 81.7K
$8.19Rp 146.4K
-44.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.1K
$0.45Rp 8,047
24.44%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,112
$0.46Rp 8,206
-36.96%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.13Rp 55.9K
$5.99Rp 107.2K
-47.75%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$0.82Rp 14.6K
-4.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7KRp 298.9M
$26.0KRp 464.4M
-35.64%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.4KRp 330.0M
$32.6KRp 583.1M
-43.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$66.8Rp 1.2M
$79.4Rp 1.4M
-15.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.59Rp 64.2K
$4.07Rp 72.8K
-11.79%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.49Rp 581.2K
$24.04Rp 430.1K
35.15%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.23Rp 415.6K
$80.6Rp 1.4M
-71.17%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.09Rp 109.0K
$5.47Rp 97.8K
11.33%
Cinema Ticket
$3.15Rp 56.4K
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-4.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$106Rp 1.9M
$273Rp 4.9M
-61.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,103Rp 73.4M
$6,104Rp 109.2M
-32.78%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$29.14Rp 521.3K
$52.5Rp 939.5K
-44.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.17Rp 450.3K
$37.11Rp 663.9K
-32.17%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.2Rp 1.5M
$83.2Rp 1.5M
-0.01%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.19Rp 772.7K
$72.8Rp 1.3M
-40.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$214Rp 3.8M
$860Rp 15.4M
-75.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$168Rp 3.0M
$582Rp 10.4M
-71.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$425Rp 7.6M
$2,932Rp 52.5M
-85.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$338Rp 6.1M
$1,801Rp 32.2M
-81.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,355Rp 24.2M
$2,406Rp 43.0M
-43.71%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$545Rp 9.8M
$1,957Rp 35.0M
-72.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$209Rp 3.7M
$221Rp 4.0M
-5.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
13.28
-54.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: July 12, 2026
Last update for Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $214 in Makassar versus $860 in Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 6% higher in Bali, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Makassar versus $27.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $285 – making Makassar the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Makassar vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makassar or Bali?
Bali costs about 94% more than Makassar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Makassar and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $997 per month in Makassar and $1,935 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Makassar or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Makassar, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Makassar and in Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $9.00 in Makassar and $27.00 in Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Makassar compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $665 in Makassar and $1,290 in Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Makassar or in Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Makassar, where all-in costs run around $665, than in Bali at $1,290. In Makassar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makassar or Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Makassar costs $665 versus $1,290 in Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Makassar compared to Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Makassar or to Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Makassar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.