For one person, living is cheaper in Manado: $557 a month against $1,229 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $8,100 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 Manado and in Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $557 per month in Manado vs $1,229 in Bali, rent included.
Manado $557
Bali $1,229
A couple spends around $881 per month in Manado vs $2,053 in Bali, rent included.
Manado $881
Bali $2,053
A family of three spends $1,206 per month in Manado vs $2,877 in Bali, rent included.
Manado $1,206
Bali $2,877
🙂
Manado is about 55% cheaper than Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both Manado and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Manado59% lower, Bali9% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.44Rp 25.9K
$2.75Rp 49.5K
-47.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.91Rp 304.4K
$29.09Rp 523.7K
-41.87%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.78Rp 50.0K
$4.66Rp 83.9K
-40.34%
Cappuccino
$1.75Rp 31.6K
$2.31Rp 41.5K
-24.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.61Rp 11.0K
$1.42Rp 25.6K
-57.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,526
$0.64Rp 11.4K
-60.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42Rp 61.6K
$2.23Rp 40.2K
53.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75Rp 49.6K
$3.61Rp 64.9K
-23.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38Rp 24.8K
$1.43Rp 25.8K
-3.50%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.8K
$2.11Rp 38.0K
-47.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$1.15Rp 20.6K
-33.04%
Eggs
$1.85Rp 33.2K
$1.96Rp 35.3K
-5.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.47Rp 296.4K
$16.38Rp 294.8K
0.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.73Rp 49.1K
$3.60Rp 64.7K
-24.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.25Rp 112.5K
$11.70Rp 210.6K
-46.58%
Apples(1kg)
$2.29Rp 41.2K
$3.48Rp 62.7K
-34.20%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51Rp 27.1K
$1.46Rp 26.4K
3.42%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.4K
$2.21Rp 39.8K
-41.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.3K
$1.90Rp 34.3K
-46.32%
Potato(1kg)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$1.72Rp 30.9K
-51.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.78Rp 50.1K
$2.19Rp 39.4K
26.94%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.80Rp 14.3K
$1.00Rp 17.9K
-20.00%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,183
$0.51Rp 9,256
-11.76%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.38Rp 42.8K
$2.08Rp 37.4K
14.42%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.83Rp 374.9K
$21.20Rp 381.6K
-1.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83Rp 33.0K
$2.18Rp 39.2K
-16.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02Rp 54.4K
$2.88Rp 51.9K
4.86%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,363
$0.23Rp 4,137
30.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.27Rp 148.8K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.52Rp 9,385
$0.45Rp 8,030
15.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,183
$0.47Rp 8,471
-27.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.68Rp 48.2K
$5.42Rp 97.6K
-50.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.65Rp 11.7K
$0.83Rp 14.9K
-21.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.5KRp 422.4M
$24.0KRp 431.7M
-2.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KRp 566.9M
$31.9KRp 573.5M
-1.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$52.9Rp 951.8K
$79.4Rp 1.4M
-33.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.26Rp 76.6K
$6.46Rp 116.3K
-34.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.10Rp 253.8K
$18.69Rp 336.4K
-24.56%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.16Rp 236.9K
$45.96Rp 827.2K
-71.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.53Rp 153.5K
$14.87Rp 267.7K
-42.64%
Cinema Ticket
$2.56Rp 46.1K
$3.67Rp 66.1K
-30.25%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$126Rp 2.3M
$443Rp 8.0M
-71.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,771Rp 85.9M
$5,164Rp 93.0M
-7.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1Rp 991.0K
$43.58Rp 784.5K
26.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.35Rp 366.3K
$32.98Rp 593.7K
-38.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$69.5Rp 1.3M
$75.0Rp 1.3M
-7.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.5Rp 1.2M
$75.0Rp 1.3M
-14.02%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$253Rp 4.5M
$975Rp 17.5M
-74.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$81.6Rp 1.5M
$593Rp 10.7M
-86.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$302Rp 5.4M
$3,065Rp 55.2M
-90.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$169Rp 3.0M
$1,463Rp 26.3M
-88.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,185Rp 21.3M
$2,391Rp 43.0M
-50.41%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$790Rp 14.2M
$1,945Rp 35.0M
-59.35%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$215Rp 3.9M
$216Rp 3.9M
-0.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
13.78
-27.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manado: October 19, 2026
Last update for Bali: October 20, 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
Manado
$221 39.7%
Bali
$273 22.3% ↑ 23.5%$52
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Manado
$94 16.9%
Bali
$102 8.3% ↑ 8.2%$7.7
🏠Accommodation & Living
Manado
$82 14.7%
Bali
$593 48.3% ↑ 627%$512
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
$71 12.8%
Bali
$105 8.5% ↑ 46.8%$33
🍽Eating Out
Manado
$67 12%
Bali
$90 7.3% ↑ 34.8%$23
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Manado
$18 3.3%
Bali
$53 4.3% ↑ 192%$35
🚌Getting Around
Manado
$3.4 * 0.6%
Bali
$12 1% ↑ 249%$8.6
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Manado
$490 40.6%
Bali
$613 21.3% ↑ 25.1%$123
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Manado
$209 17.4%
Bali
$227 7.9% ↑ 8.2%$17
🏠Accommodation & Living
Manado
$169 14%
Bali
$1.5K 50.9% ↑ 768%$1.3K
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
$75 6.3%
Bali
$111 3.9% ↑ 47.1%$36
🍽Eating Out
Manado
$210 17.4%
Bali
$318 11.1% ↑ 51.5%$108
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Manado
$45 3.7%
Bali
$121 4.2% ↑ 169%$76
🚌Getting Around
Manado
$7.5 * 0.6%
Bali
$24 0.9% ↑ 228%$17
Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $253 in Manado versus $975 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 0% 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 $17.00 in Manado versus $29.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $221 vs $273 – making Manado 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
Manado vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manado or Bali?
Bali costs about 121% more than Manado, 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 Manado and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $836 per month in Manado and $1,843 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Manado or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Manado, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Manado compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $557 in Manado and $1,229 in Bali. That's a gap of about 121%.
How do childcare costs compare in Manado and in Bali?
Kindergarten costs $126 per month in Manado and $443 in Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Manado or in Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manado, where all-in costs run around $557, than in Bali at $1,229. In Manado it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Manado or Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Manado costs $557 versus $1,229 in Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Manado compared to 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.
Should I move to Manado or to Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Manado. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.