🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $660 in Makassar versus $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $990 in Makassar versus $2,887 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,319 in Makassar versus $4,082 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🌍Living in Makassar costs roughly 61% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Makassar is 52% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 23% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75Rp 31.0K
$4.21Rp 74.8K
-58.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.14Rp 162.4K
$46.88Rp 832.8K
-80.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.31Rp 58.8K
$6.86Rp 121.8K
-51.75%
Cappuccino
$1.93Rp 34.4K
$3.25Rp 57.7K
-40.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,344
$2.01Rp 35.7K
-76.62%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,423
$0.87Rp 15.5K
-58.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.55Rp 45.4K
$3.21Rp 57.1K
-20.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27Rp 58.0K
$5.00Rp 88.8K
-34.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.56Rp 27.7K
$1.61Rp 28.6K
-3.11%
White Bread(500g)
$1.05Rp 18.6K
$2.40Rp 42.6K
-56.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.63Rp 11.2K
$1.22Rp 21.6K
-48.36%
Eggs
$1.50Rp 26.7K
$2.22Rp 39.5K
-32.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.29Rp 111.7K
$18.63Rp 330.9K
-66.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.51Rp 62.4K
$4.27Rp 75.8K
-17.80%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.24Rp 93.1K
$12.94Rp 229.8K
-59.51%
Apples(1kg)
$2.47Rp 43.9K
$3.84Rp 68.1K
-35.68%
Banana(1kg)
$1.40Rp 24.8K
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-13.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.02Rp 35.8K
$2.46Rp 43.7K
-17.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.5K
$2.07Rp 36.8K
-9.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.14Rp 20.3K
$1.91Rp 34.0K
-40.31%
Onion(1kg)
$1.59Rp 28.2K
$2.52Rp 44.8K
-36.90%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74Rp 13.1K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
-30.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,834
$0.59Rp 10.4K
-35.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.64Rp 46.9K
$2.46Rp 43.7K
7.32%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.51Rp 399.9K
$24.68Rp 438.4K
-8.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84Rp 32.6K
$2.46Rp 43.6K
-25.20%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23Rp 39.6K
$3.01Rp 53.5K
-25.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,159
$0.32Rp 5,667
-9.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$4.27Rp 75.8K
$10.57Rp 187.8K
-59.60%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,106
$0.61Rp 10.9K
-16.39%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,252
$0.60Rp 10.6K
-41.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.76Rp 49.1K
$2.56Rp 45.5K
7.81%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.03Rp 18.3K
-24.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.5KRp 274.7M
$30.9KRp 548.7M
-49.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.1KRp 302.9M
$39.7KRp 706.2M
-57.10%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.7Rp 1.6M
$90.1Rp 1.6M
-1.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.65Rp 47.1K
$7.01Rp 124.5K
-62.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.53Rp 453.6K
$20.74Rp 368.5K
23.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.97Rp 390.3K
$63.9Rp 1.1M
-65.63%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$22.62Rp 401.9K
$21.78Rp 387.0K
3.86%
Cinema Ticket
$3.42Rp 60.7K
$5.23Rp 92.9K
-34.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$95.8Rp 1.7M
$553Rp 9.8M
-82.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,864Rp 68.6M
$6,619Rp 117.6M
-41.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.10Rp 481.4K
$50.9Rp 904.0K
-46.74%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.75Rp 421.9K
$39.71Rp 705.4K
-40.19%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.1Rp 1.3M
$89.7Rp 1.6M
-17.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.26Rp 733.0K
$86.5Rp 1.5M
-52.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$197Rp 3.5M
$1,546Rp 27.5M
-87.29%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$150Rp 2.7M
$925Rp 16.4M
-83.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$399Rp 7.1M
$4,743Rp 84.3M
-91.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$315Rp 5.6M
$2,298Rp 40.8M
-86.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,415Rp 25.1M
$3,748Rp 66.6M
-62.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$558Rp 9.9M
$3,055Rp 54.3M
-81.74%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$216Rp 3.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6
13.78
-56.46%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Makassar: August 31, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $197 in Makassar and $1,546 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Makassar vs $47.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $198 vs $309 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 Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makassar or Uluwatu, Bali?
Makassar wins on cost – living expenses run 156% lower than in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Makassar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Makassar and in Uluwatu, Bali?
You'd need roughly $990 in Makassar and $2,538 in Uluwatu, Bali 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 much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Makassar compared to Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $197 in Makassar versus $1,546 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Makassar compared to Uluwatu, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 148% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Makassar and in Uluwatu, Bali?
Childcare runs $95.8 in Makassar versus $553 in Uluwatu, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Makassar or in Uluwatu, Bali?
At $660 in Makassar versus $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makassar but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Makassar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makassar or Uluwatu, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Makassar delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $660 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Makassar hard to pass up.
How safe is Makassar compared to Uluwatu, Bali?
Safety-wise, Makassar and Uluwatu, 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Makassar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 156% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.