🙂A single person spends $478 per month in Malang vs $1,732 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $751 per month in Malang vs $3,186 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,025 per month in Malang vs $4,640 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Malang is about 72% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Malang sits 64% 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
$1.25Rp 22.1K
$4.25Rp 75.4K
-70.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.47Rp 220.8K
$38.68Rp 685.2K
-67.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.06Rp 54.1K
$6.18Rp 109.5K
-50.49%
Cappuccino
$1.40Rp 24.8K
$3.30Rp 58.5K
-57.58%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58Rp 10.2K
$1.61Rp 28.5K
-63.98%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,261
$0.89Rp 15.8K
-73.03%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.51Rp 44.5K
$3.58Rp 63.4K
-29.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04Rp 53.8K
$4.58Rp 81.1K
-33.62%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13Rp 20.0K
$1.82Rp 32.3K
-37.91%
White Bread(500g)
$1.50Rp 26.6K
$2.57Rp 45.6K
-41.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.20Rp 21.3K
-33.33%
Eggs
$1.45Rp 25.7K
$2.51Rp 44.4K
-42.23%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.33Rp 112.1K
$15.08Rp 267.1K
-58.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.24Rp 57.4K
$4.35Rp 77.1K
-25.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.22Rp 127.8K
$12.47Rp 220.9K
-42.10%
Apples(1kg)
$2.40Rp 42.6K
$3.95Rp 70.0K
-39.24%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50Rp 26.5K
$1.64Rp 29.1K
-8.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.74Rp 30.9K
$2.83Rp 50.1K
-38.52%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.47Rp 26.1K
$2.38Rp 42.1K
-38.24%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.4K
$2.02Rp 35.8K
-34.65%
Onion(1kg)
$1.81Rp 32.1K
$2.32Rp 41.1K
-21.98%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.52Rp 9,144
$1.11Rp 19.6K
-53.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,411
$0.75Rp 13.3K
-44.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.45Rp 43.5K
$3.34Rp 59.2K
-26.65%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.90Rp 228.5K
$25.00Rp 442.9K
-48.40%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84Rp 32.6K
$2.91Rp 51.6K
-36.77%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24Rp 57.5K
$2.93Rp 51.8K
10.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64Rp 11.3K
$0.34Rp 5,988
88.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.98Rp 106.0K
$10.51Rp 186.1K
-43.10%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,434
$0.57Rp 10.1K
-15.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,557
$0.54Rp 9,485
-42.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.97Rp 105.7K
$7.72Rp 136.7K
-22.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 14.8K
$1.07Rp 18.9K
-22.43%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8KRp 367.7M
$33.2KRp 588.0M
-37.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.4KRp 484.6M
$40.8KRp 723.4M
-33.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.92Rp 600.9K
$87.6Rp 1.6M
-61.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.59Rp 45.9K
$4.32Rp 76.5K
-40.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.33Rp 342.4K
$26.72Rp 473.3K
-27.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.04Rp 266.5K
$114Rp 2.0M
-86.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.89Rp 86.6K
$7.77Rp 137.6K
-37.07%
Cinema Ticket
$2.18Rp 38.6K
$4.61Rp 81.6K
-52.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.44Rp 610.1K
$341Rp 6.0M
-89.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,222Rp 163.4M
$7,405Rp 131.2M
24.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.21Rp 765.5K
$60.0Rp 1.1M
-28.00%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.37Rp 538.0K
$42.40Rp 751.2K
-28.37%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$59.4Rp 1.1M
$95.7Rp 1.7M
-37.95%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.5Rp 1.5M
$83.7Rp 1.5M
-1.52%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$163Rp 2.9M
$1,363Rp 24.1M
-88.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$48.19Rp 853.8K
$922Rp 16.3M
-94.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$280Rp 5.0M
$4,617Rp 81.8M
-93.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.7Rp 1.6M
$2,782Rp 49.3M
-96.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,800Rp 67.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,092Rp 54.8M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$203Rp 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 15, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $163 in Malang versus $1,363 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: $184 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 263%, 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 $716 per month in Malang and $2,598 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 76% less in Malang. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $34.44 per month in Malang and $341 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 $478, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,732. 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.