Cost of Living Comparison Between Makassar and Denpasar, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Makassar and Denpasar, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Makassar versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,005 in Makassar versus $1,660 in Denpasar, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,347 in Makassar versus $2,360 in Denpasar, Bali.

Living in Makassar costs roughly 31% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both cities sit below the global median: Makassar 51% lower, Denpasar, Bali 28% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.13 Rp 55.9K
$2.41 Rp 43.0K
29.88%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.45 Rp 168.8K
$21.74 Rp 388.3K
-56.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.98 Rp 53.2K
$3.26 Rp 58.2K
-8.59%
Cappuccino
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
$1.89 Rp 33.8K
-7.94%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 Rp 12.7K
$0.92 Rp 16.5K
-22.83%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 Rp 6,976
$0.47 Rp 8,368
-17.02%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.67 Rp 65.5K
$1.92 Rp 34.3K
91.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.72 Rp 66.4K
$2.56 Rp 45.7K
45.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.63 Rp 29.1K
$1.44 Rp 25.7K
13.19%
White Bread (500g)
$1.09 Rp 19.4K
$2.04 Rp 36.5K
-46.57%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.64 Rp 11.5K
$0.92 Rp 16.5K
-30.43%
Eggs
$1.44 Rp 25.8K
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
-24.61%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.49 Rp 98.0K
$11.89 Rp 212.4K
-53.83%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.77 Rp 49.5K
$3.41 Rp 61.0K
-18.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.36 Rp 77.8K
$9.95 Rp 177.7K
-56.18%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 Rp 40.9K
$3.09 Rp 55.2K
-25.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 Rp 29.3K
$1.26 Rp 22.6K
30.16%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.85 Rp 33.0K
$2.22 Rp 39.6K
-16.67%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 28.0K
$1.81 Rp 32.4K
-13.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.26 Rp 22.5K
$1.61 Rp 28.8K
-21.74%
Onion (1kg)
$1.56 Rp 27.9K
$1.80 Rp 32.1K
-13.33%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.41 Rp 7,381
$0.86 Rp 15.4K
-52.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47 Rp 8,440
$0.57 Rp 10.2K
-17.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56 Rp 45.8K
$2.64 Rp 47.1K
-3.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.53 Rp 402.4K
$19.27 Rp 344.2K
16.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10 Rp 37.4K
$2.25 Rp 40.2K
-6.67%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 Rp 44.3K
$2.23 Rp 39.8K
11.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 Rp 5,720
$0.24 Rp 4,257
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.51 Rp 80.5K
$7.34 Rp 131.0K
-38.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.56 Rp 10.0K
$0.44 Rp 7,813
27.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.29 Rp 5,115
$0.39 Rp 6,914
-25.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$3.03 Rp 54.1K
$5.45 Rp 97.2K
-44.40%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78 Rp 13.9K
$0.74 Rp 13.1K
5.41%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.8K Rp 299.6M
$23.5K Rp 420.5M
-28.75%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$18.7K Rp 334.7M
$29.1K Rp 520.1M
-35.65%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$66.5 Rp 1.2M
$70.5 Rp 1.3M
-5.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.50 Rp 62.5K
$3.67 Rp 65.5K
-4.63%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.44 Rp 579.2K
$21.23 Rp 379.1K
52.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.28 Rp 415.8K
$69.5 Rp 1.2M
-66.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.03 Rp 107.6K
$4.45 Rp 79.5K
35.51%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16 Rp 56.4K
$2.91 Rp 52.0K
8.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$106 Rp 1.9M
$227 Rp 4.1M
-53.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,097 Rp 73.2M
$5,191 Rp 92.7M
-21.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$30.05 Rp 536.6K
$47.61 Rp 850.2K
-36.88%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.17 Rp 449.4K
$32.45 Rp 579.4K
-22.43%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$81.8 Rp 1.5M
$76.3 Rp 1.4M
7.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.93 Rp 784.5K
$66.7 Rp 1.2M
-34.14%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$212 Rp 3.8M
$528 Rp 9.4M
-59.83%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$168 Rp 3.0M
$344 Rp 6.1M
-51.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$438 Rp 7.8M
$1,801 Rp 32.2M
-75.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$333 Rp 5.9M
$1,065 Rp 19.0M
-68.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,167 Rp 20.8M
$1,476 Rp 26.4M
-20.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$737 Rp 13.2M
$1,184 Rp 21.2M
-37.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$218 Rp 3.9M
$335 Rp 6.0M
-34.98%
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: June 2, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $212 in Makassar and $528 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Denpasar, Bali pays 54% 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: $9.00 in Makassar vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $243 per month, with Makassar 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
Makassar vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Makassar and Denpasar, Bali?
Makassar and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($662 vs $961 including rent). Makassar is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Denpasar, Bali earns 54% less. 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 Makassar and Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $212 in Makassar versus $528 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Makassar or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $662 per month in Makassar versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali – a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Makassar and Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 63% 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 Makassar versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makassar but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Makassar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Makassar and Denpasar, Bali?
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 Makassar or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Makassar and Denpasar, Bali 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: Makassar or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Makassar 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.

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