🙂A single person spends $476 per month in Malang vs $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $743 per month in Malang vs $2,928 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,010 per month in Malang vs $4,171 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Malang is about 72% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Malang sits 65% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$4.11Rp 72.8K
-72.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.32Rp 200.4K
$43.57Rp 771.5K
-74.02%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.88Rp 50.9K
$6.64Rp 117.6K
-56.63%
Cappuccino
$1.29Rp 22.9K
$3.38Rp 59.8K
-61.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$2.19Rp 38.8K
-72.60%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22Rp 3,885
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-78.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.31Rp 40.9K
$3.56Rp 63.1K
-35.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13Rp 73.1K
$5.43Rp 96.1K
-23.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.01Rp 17.9K
$1.66Rp 29.4K
-39.16%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.4K
$2.46Rp 43.6K
-55.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-33.88%
Eggs
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
-44.54%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.04Rp 107.0K
$18.21Rp 322.4K
-66.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.11Rp 55.1K
$4.21Rp 74.5K
-26.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.25Rp 128.5K
$13.07Rp 231.4K
-44.53%
Apples(1kg)
$2.04Rp 36.1K
$3.91Rp 69.3K
-47.83%
Banana(1kg)
$1.29Rp 22.8K
$1.63Rp 28.9K
-20.86%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.5K
$2.47Rp 43.8K
-37.25%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.5K
$2.06Rp 36.4K
-27.67%
Potato(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-33.16%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90Rp 33.7K
$2.59Rp 45.8K
-26.64%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51Rp 8,976
$1.06Rp 18.8K
-51.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,221
$0.56Rp 9,996
-26.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.75Rp 48.7K
$2.41Rp 42.6K
14.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.54Rp 222.1K
$24.21Rp 428.6K
-48.20%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76Rp 31.2K
$2.50Rp 44.2K
-29.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96Rp 52.4K
$3.11Rp 55.0K
-4.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.60Rp 10.7K
$0.31Rp 5,577
93.55%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.58Rp 98.8K
$10.28Rp 181.9K
-45.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,540
$0.57Rp 10.1K
-15.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39Rp 6,837
$0.58Rp 10.2K
-32.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.69Rp 100.7K
$2.69Rp 47.5K
111.52%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.69Rp 12.1K
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-31.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.8KRp 456.7M
$30.3KRp 536.2M
-14.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KRp 497.3M
$39.3KRp 696.4M
-28.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$31.73Rp 561.8K
$89.9Rp 1.6M
-64.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.46Rp 43.5K
$7.40Rp 131.0K
-66.76%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.00Rp 354.2K
$20.52Rp 363.4K
-2.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.87Rp 263.3K
$65.8Rp 1.2M
-77.40%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.71Rp 83.4K
$21.34Rp 377.8K
-77.93%
Cinema Ticket
$1.97Rp 34.8K
$5.21Rp 92.3K
-62.19%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$31.19Rp 552.3K
$544Rp 9.6M
-94.27%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,663Rp 171.1M
$6,707Rp 118.8M
44.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.6Rp 1.0M
$51.1Rp 904.7K
10.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.07Rp 408.5K
$39.15Rp 693.2K
-41.07%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$51.6Rp 914.4K
$89.5Rp 1.6M
-42.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$36.37Rp 644.0K
$87.8Rp 1.6M
-58.57%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$140Rp 2.5M
$1,556Rp 27.6M
-91.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$92.0Rp 1.6M
$924Rp 16.4M
-90.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$196Rp 3.5M
$4,848Rp 85.8M
-95.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.7M
$2,307Rp 40.9M
-93.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,720Rp 65.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,051Rp 54.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$208Rp 3.7M
-
-
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: September 14, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $140 in Malang versus $1,556 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 $11.00 in Malang versus $44.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $171 vs $309 – 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 254%, 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 $713 per month in Malang and $2,528 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 84% less in Malang. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $31.19 per month in Malang and $544 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 living in Malang or in Uluwatu, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $476, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,685. 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.