For one person, living is cheaper in Malang: $464 a month against $1,214 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Malang and in Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $464 per month in Malang vs $1,214 in Bali, rent included.
Malang $464
Bali $1,214
A couple spends around $713 per month in Malang vs $2,047 in Bali, rent included.
Malang $713
Bali $2,047
A family of three spends $963 per month in Malang vs $2,880 in Bali, rent included.
Malang $963
Bali $2,880
🙂
Malang is about 62% cheaper than Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both Malang and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Malang66% lower, Bali11% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Malang
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.13Rp 20.4K
$2.73Rp 49.5K
-58.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.09Rp 201.0K
$28.91Rp 524.0K
-61.64%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.80Rp 50.8K
$4.56Rp 82.6K
-38.60%
Cappuccino
$1.25Rp 22.7K
$2.26Rp 41.0K
-44.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56Rp 10.1K
$1.43Rp 25.8K
-60.84%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21Rp 3,803
$0.68Rp 12.4K
-69.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.24Rp 40.6K
$2.23Rp 40.3K
0.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.17Rp 75.5K
$3.68Rp 66.8K
13.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.94Rp 17.0K
$1.49Rp 27.0K
-36.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07Rp 19.4K
$2.18Rp 39.6K
-50.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$1.14Rp 20.6K
-32.46%
Eggs
$1.17Rp 21.2K
$2.02Rp 36.6K
-42.08%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.60Rp 101.6K
$16.81Rp 304.6K
-66.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.00Rp 54.4K
$3.57Rp 64.7K
-15.97%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.89Rp 124.8K
$11.31Rp 204.9K
-39.08%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98Rp 35.9K
$3.44Rp 62.4K
-42.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.4K
$1.51Rp 27.4K
-14.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.51Rp 27.4K
$2.19Rp 39.7K
-31.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.39Rp 25.2K
$1.88Rp 34.1K
-26.06%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.5K
$1.71Rp 31.0K
-23.98%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92Rp 34.8K
$2.32Rp 42.0K
-17.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.50Rp 8,981
$0.99Rp 18.0K
-49.49%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,650
$0.50Rp 9,060
-16.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.57Rp 46.6K
$2.03Rp 36.8K
26.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.41Rp 224.9K
$21.49Rp 389.5K
-42.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.65Rp 29.9K
$2.14Rp 38.7K
-22.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86Rp 51.9K
$2.87Rp 52.0K
-0.35%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58Rp 10.6K
$0.25Rp 4,559
132.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.39Rp 97.7K
$8.82Rp 159.9K
-38.89%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rp 8,911
$0.45Rp 8,147
8.89%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,862
$0.44Rp 7,969
-13.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.61Rp 101.6K
$5.48Rp 99.3K
2.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 13.2K
$0.89Rp 16.0K
-17.98%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.1KRp 454.9M
$24.3KRp 440.4M
3.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.4KRp 496.9M
$31.9KRp 579.0M
-14.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$30.88Rp 559.7K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
-61.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.30Rp 41.7K
$6.55Rp 118.7K
-64.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.26Rp 349.1K
$18.48Rp 335.0K
4.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.37Rp 260.5K
$40.66Rp 737.0K
-64.66%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.58Rp 83.0K
$14.93Rp 270.5K
-69.32%
Cinema Ticket
$1.88Rp 34.1K
$3.67Rp 66.5K
-48.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$30.06Rp 544.8K
$437Rp 7.9M
-93.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,230Rp 167.3M
$5,063Rp 91.8M
82.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.7Rp 1.0M
$43.62Rp 790.7K
27.76%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.42Rp 406.3K
$32.69Rp 592.5K
-31.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$50.8Rp 921.1K
$73.6Rp 1.3M
-30.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.21Rp 638.1K
$74.3Rp 1.3M
-52.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$136Rp 2.5M
$984Rp 17.8M
-86.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$89.5Rp 1.6M
$583Rp 10.6M
-84.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$196Rp 3.5M
$3,121Rp 56.6M
-93.73%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.8M
$1,475Rp 26.7M
-89.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,447Rp 44.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$1,963Rp 35.6M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$201Rp 3.6M
$215Rp 3.9M
-6.68%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
13.78
-70.97%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malang: October 26, 2026
Last update for Bali: October 24, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Malang
$165 35.5%
Bali
$275 22.7% ↑ 67.2%$111
🏠Accommodation & Living
Malang
$89 19.3%
Bali
$583 48% ↑ 551%$493
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Malang
$74 15.9%
Bali
$101 8.3% ↑ 36.6%$27
🍽Eating Out
Malang
$55 11.9%
Bali
$90 7.4% ↑ 62.7%$35
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
$52 11.3%
Bali
$105 8.6% ↑ 100%$52
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Malang
$18 3.9%
Bali
$48 4% ↑ 165%$30
🚌Getting Around
Malang
$10 2.2%
Bali
$12 1% ↑ 23.6%$2.4
🛒Groceries & Markets
Malang
$369 38.3%
Bali
$617 21.4% ↑ 67.2%$248
🏠Accommodation & Living
Malang
$154 16%
Bali
$1.5K 51.2% ↑ 858%$1.3K
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Malang
$164 17.1%
Bali
$224 7.8% ↑ 36.6%$60
🍽Eating Out
Malang
$159 16.5%
Bali
$316 11% ↑ 98.7%$157
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
$55 5.7%
Bali
$111 3.9% ↑ 104%$57
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Malang
$41 4.2%
Bali
$111 3.9% ↑ 172%$70
🚌Getting Around
Malang
$21 2.2%
Bali
$25 0.9% ↑ 19.1%$4.1
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $136 in Malang versus $984 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 7% 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 $11 in Malang versus $29 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $165 vs $275 – making Malang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Malang vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Malang or Bali?
Bali costs about 162% more than Malang, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Malang and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $695 per month in Malang and $1,821 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Malang or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Malang, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $136 there versus $984 in Bali.
How do dining costs compare in Malang and in Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Malang and $29 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 Malang compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $464 in Malang and $1,214 in Bali. That makes Malang about 62% cheaper.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Malang or in Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $464, than in Bali at $1,214. In Malang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Malang or Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Malang costs $464 versus $1,214 in Bali. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Malang compared to Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Malang or to Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Malang. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.