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Last update: Oct 2026
Cost of Living Comparison Between Malang and Bansko
For one person, living is cheaper in Malang: $474 a month against $956 in Bansko, rent and utilities included – about $5,800 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 Bansko actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $474 per month in Malang vs $956 in Bansko, rent included.
Malang $474
Bansko $956
A couple spends around $729 per month in Malang vs $1,467 in Bansko, rent included.
Malang $729
Bansko $1,467
A family of three spends $984 per month in Malang vs $1,979 in Bansko, rent included.
Malang $984
Bansko $1,979
🙂
Malang is about 50% cheaper than Bansko, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.
📊
Both Malang and Bansko are more affordable than the global median – Malang65% lower, Bansko29% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.11Rp 19.9K
$8.66BGN 15.06
-87.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.07Rp 198.6K
$44.94BGN 78.2
-75.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.76Rp 49.6K
$8.78BGN 15.28
-68.56%
Cappuccino
$1.34Rp 24.0K
$2.33BGN 4.05
-42.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.7K
$1.57BGN 2.74
-61.78%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,133
$0.82BGN 1.43
-71.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.28Rp 40.9K
$1.68BGN 2.92
35.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.25Rp 76.3K
$1.98BGN 3.45
114.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99Rp 17.8K
$1.73BGN 3.00
-42.77%
White Bread(500g)
$1.12Rp 20.1K
$0.80BGN 1.40
40.00%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84Rp 15.1K
$1.44BGN 2.51
-41.67%
Eggs
$1.24Rp 22.3K
$2.36BGN 4.10
-47.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.89Rp 105.7K
$9.39BGN 16.34
-37.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.09Rp 55.5K
$6.41BGN 11.15
-51.79%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.20Rp 129.3K
$8.48BGN 14.76
-15.09%
Apples(1kg)
$2.02Rp 36.2K
$1.31BGN 2.28
54.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.7K
$1.62BGN 2.82
-21.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$1.73BGN 3.01
-8.67%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.43Rp 25.7K
$1.94BGN 3.38
-26.29%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.3K
$0.94BGN 1.63
38.30%
Onion(1kg)
$1.92Rp 34.4K
$0.76BGN 1.32
152.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.47Rp 8,413
$0.55BGN 0.95
-14.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,556
$0.59BGN 1.02
-28.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.65Rp 47.5K
$3.25BGN 5.66
-18.46%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.47Rp 223.8K
$5.20BGN 9.05
139.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.67Rp 30.0K
$1.09BGN 1.89
53.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00Rp 53.8K
$1.68BGN 2.92
78.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Bansko
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60Rp 10.7K
$0.84BGN 1.45
-28.57%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.61Rp 100.6K
$27.06BGN 47.09
-79.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,603
$1.34BGN 2.34
-64.18%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40Rp 7,221
$0.65BGN 1.14
-38.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.45Rp 97.8K
$10.06BGN 17.51
-45.83%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74Rp 13.3K
$1.48BGN 2.57
-50.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KRp 447.5M
$29.1KBGN 50.7K
-14.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7KRp 497.2M
$20.9KBGN 36.4K
32.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$30.83Rp 553.3K
$92.4BGN 161
-66.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.41Rp 43.2K
$14.52BGN 25.26
-83.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.51Rp 350.0K
$12.32BGN 21.43
58.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.68Rp 263.5K
$31.70BGN 55.2
-53.69%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.47Rp 80.2K
$8.53BGN 14.84
-47.60%
Cinema Ticket
$1.92Rp 34.4K
$5.62BGN 9.78
-65.84%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$30.88Rp 554.1K
$230BGN 401
-86.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,452Rp 169.6M
$2,268BGN 3,947
316.69%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.4Rp 1.0M
$30.10BGN 52.4
87.48%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.41Rp 402.1K
$19.62BGN 34.13
14.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$51.9Rp 931.9K
$45.86BGN 79.8
13.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.74Rp 641.2K
$47.69BGN 83.0
-25.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Bansko
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$136Rp 2.4M
$518BGN 902
-73.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.5Rp 1.6M
$357BGN 621
-74.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$193Rp 3.5M
$614BGN 1,069
-68.54%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$569BGN 990
-72.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$1,191BGN 2,073
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$959BGN 1,669
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Bansko
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$203Rp 3.6M
$1,704BGN 2,965
-88.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
2.99
33.78%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malang: October 12, 2026
Last update for Bansko: October 11, 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
$169 35.7%
Bansko
$192 20.1% ↑ 13.3%$22
🏠Accommodation & Living
Malang
$92 19.3%
Bansko
$357 37.3% ↑ 290%$265
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Malang
$75 15.8%
Bansko
$64 6.7% ↓ 14%$10
🍽Eating Out
Malang
$56 11.9%
Bansko
$145 15.2% ↑ 158%$89
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
$53 11.1%
Bansko
$119 12.5% ↑ 126%$67
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Malang
$19 3.9%
Bansko
$43 4.5% ↑ 132%$24
🚌Getting Around
Malang
$10 2.2%
Bansko
$35 3.7% ↑ 234%$25
🛒Groceries & Markets
Malang
$380 38.7%
Bansko
$451 22.8% ↑ 18.5%$70
🏠Accommodation & Living
Malang
$156 15.9%
Bansko
$569 28.8% ↑ 264%$412
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Malang
$167 16.9%
Bansko
$143 7.2% ↓ 14%$23
🍽Eating Out
Malang
$161 16.4%
Bansko
$516 26.1% ↑ 220%$355
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
$55 5.6%
Bansko
$134 6.8% ↑ 143%$79
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Malang
$42 4.2%
Bansko
$94 4.8% ↑ 128%$53
🚌Getting Around
Malang
$22 2.3%
Bansko
$72 3.6% ↑ 224%$50
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $136 in Malang versus $518 in Bansko. 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 738% higher in Bansko, 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 $11.00 in Malang versus $45.00 in Bansko. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $169 vs $192 – 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 Bansko: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Malang and in Bansko compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $474 in Malang, $956 in Bansko – roughly 102% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Malang compared to Bansko?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $711 per month in Malang and $1,434 in Bansko. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Malang and Bansko?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Malang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Malang and $45.00 in Bansko. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Malang or Bansko?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $474 in Malang and $956 in Bansko. That's a gap of about 102%.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $474, than in Bansko at $956. In Malang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bansko it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Malang and Bansko?
It depends on your priorities. Bansko has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $474 in Malang to $956 in Bansko. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Malang or Bansko safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Malang and Bansko?
If budget matters most, go with Malang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bansko makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.