🙂A single person spends $473 per month in Malang vs $1,744 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $742 per month in Malang vs $3,142 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,012 per month in Malang vs $4,540 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Malang is about 73% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Malang sits 65% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 30% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.21Rp 21.6K
$4.17Rp 74.7K
-70.98%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.17Rp 218.1K
$38.98Rp 698.4K
-68.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.13Rp 56.1K
$5.93Rp 106.2K
-47.22%
Cappuccino
$1.47Rp 26.4K
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-55.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.62Rp 11.0K
$1.66Rp 29.8K
-62.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,320
$0.89Rp 16.0K
-73.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.53Rp 45.3K
$3.52Rp 63.0K
-28.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12Rp 55.9K
$4.61Rp 82.5K
-32.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.14Rp 20.4K
$1.88Rp 33.6K
-39.36%
White Bread(500g)
$1.50Rp 26.8K
$2.66Rp 47.7K
-43.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.81Rp 14.5K
$1.19Rp 21.4K
-31.93%
Eggs
$1.51Rp 27.1K
$2.47Rp 44.3K
-38.87%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.29Rp 112.7K
$15.09Rp 270.3K
-58.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.24Rp 58.0K
$4.40Rp 78.9K
-26.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.26Rp 130.1K
$12.47Rp 223.5K
-41.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.5K
$3.89Rp 69.7K
-40.62%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50Rp 26.8K
$1.69Rp 30.2K
-11.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.68Rp 30.0K
$2.81Rp 50.3K
-40.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.44Rp 25.8K
$2.41Rp 43.2K
-40.25%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.7K
$2.02Rp 36.1K
-31.68%
Onion(1kg)
$1.73Rp 31.0K
$2.36Rp 42.4K
-26.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51Rp 9,221
$1.08Rp 19.3K
-52.78%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,023
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-44.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.42Rp 43.3K
$3.46Rp 62.1K
-30.06%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.48Rp 223.6K
$24.07Rp 431.3K
-48.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78Rp 31.9K
$2.97Rp 53.2K
-40.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.17Rp 56.9K
$2.85Rp 51.1K
11.23%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.58Rp 10.4K
$0.33Rp 5,990
75.76%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.99Rp 107.4K
$10.26Rp 183.9K
-41.62%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,878
$0.61Rp 11.0K
-27.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,581
$0.53Rp 9,557
-41.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.29Rp 112.8K
$7.86Rp 140.7K
-19.97%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.78Rp 13.9K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-24.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6KRp 368.8M
$32.7KRp 585.0M
-36.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KRp 489.0M
$39.5KRp 708.5M
-30.99%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.39Rp 598.2K
$86.4Rp 1.5M
-61.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.55Rp 45.7K
$4.38Rp 78.5K
-41.78%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.13Rp 342.8K
$25.99Rp 465.7K
-26.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.01Rp 269.0K
$113Rp 2.0M
-86.72%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.08Rp 90.9K
$7.77Rp 139.1K
-34.62%
Cinema Ticket
$2.10Rp 37.6K
$4.82Rp 86.4K
-56.43%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$33.54Rp 600.8K
$339Rp 6.1M
-90.11%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,394Rp 168.3M
$7,366Rp 132.0M
27.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.50Rp 779.4K
$58.6Rp 1.0M
-25.70%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.80Rp 551.8K
$41.81Rp 749.0K
-26.33%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.8Rp 1.1M
$95.0Rp 1.7M
-38.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$81.5Rp 1.5M
$86.5Rp 1.6M
-5.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$160Rp 2.9M
$1,375Rp 24.6M
-88.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$49.11Rp 879.9K
$919Rp 16.5M
-94.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$280Rp 5.0M
$4,635Rp 83.0M
-93.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$92.6Rp 1.7M
$2,804Rp 50.2M
-96.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,664Rp 65.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,073Rp 55.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$201Rp 3.6M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
13.28
-69.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malang: June 9, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $160 in Malang versus $1,375 in Uluwatu, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Malang versus $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $182 vs $311 – making Malang 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
Malang vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Malang?
Yes – Uluwatu, Bali is pricier by about 269%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $709 per month in Malang and $2,615 in Uluwatu, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
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 public transport?
Public transport costs about 71% less in Malang. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $33.54 per month in Malang and $339 in Uluwatu, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Malang or Uluwatu, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $473, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,744. In Malang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Uluwatu, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Malang or Uluwatu, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Malang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Malang or Uluwatu, 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Malang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Uluwatu, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.