Cost of Living Comparison Between Manado and Denpasar, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Manado and Denpasar, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $559 in Manado versus $909 in Denpasar, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $891 in Manado versus $1,516 in Denpasar, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,222 in Manado versus $2,123 in Denpasar, Bali.

Living in Manado costs roughly 38% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Manado 59% lower, Denpasar, Bali 34% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.38 Rp 24.4K
$2.23 Rp 39.4K
-38.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.27 Rp 305.4K
$23.92 Rp 423.0K
-27.80%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.75 Rp 48.7K
$3.76 Rp 66.4K
-26.86%
Cappuccino
$1.84 Rp 32.6K
$1.77 Rp 31.4K
3.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58 Rp 10.2K
$1.24 Rp 21.9K
-53.23%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 Rp 4,208
$0.52 Rp 9,118
-53.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.48 Rp 61.5K
$1.94 Rp 34.3K
79.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 Rp 48.6K
$2.93 Rp 51.8K
-6.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.42 Rp 25.1K
$1.29 Rp 22.9K
10.08%
White Bread (500g)
$1.12 Rp 19.8K
$1.86 Rp 32.9K
-39.78%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.74 Rp 13.1K
$0.91 Rp 16.1K
-18.68%
Eggs
$1.97 Rp 34.8K
$1.76 Rp 31.2K
11.93%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.35 Rp 306.7K
$14.64 Rp 258.8K
18.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.88 Rp 50.9K
$3.20 Rp 56.5K
-10.00%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.35 Rp 112.3K
$9.81 Rp 173.5K
-35.27%
Apples (1kg)
$2.31 Rp 40.8K
$3.04 Rp 53.7K
-24.01%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 27.2K
$1.32 Rp 23.3K
16.67%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.35 Rp 23.9K
$1.87 Rp 33.0K
-27.81%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.97 Rp 17.2K
$1.60 Rp 28.3K
-39.38%
Potato (1kg)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.53 Rp 27.0K
-47.71%
Onion (1kg)
$2.82 Rp 49.9K
$1.94 Rp 34.3K
45.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.75 Rp 13.2K
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
-3.85%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44 Rp 7,706
$0.41 Rp 7,335
7.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.40 Rp 42.4K
$1.88 Rp 33.3K
27.66%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.77 Rp 367.3K
$18.97 Rp 335.4K
9.49%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83 Rp 32.4K
$1.87 Rp 33.1K
-2.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95 Rp 52.2K
$2.50 Rp 44.2K
18.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.30 Rp 5,242
$0.24 Rp 4,261
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$7.36 Rp 130.2K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 Rp 9,348
$0.43 Rp 7,646
23.26%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 Rp 5,762
$0.39 Rp 6,953
-15.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.91 Rp 51.5K
$3.06 Rp 54.0K
-4.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.61 Rp 10.8K
$0.73 Rp 13.0K
-16.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K Rp 428.7M
$22.5K Rp 398.7M
7.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.3K Rp 553.4M
$28.3K Rp 500.0M
10.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$54.2 Rp 958.4K
$75.9 Rp 1.3M
-28.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.37 Rp 77.3K
$5.96 Rp 105.4K
-26.68%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.92 Rp 246.1K
$16.71 Rp 295.5K
-16.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$13.01 Rp 230.1K
$39.78 Rp 703.5K
-67.30%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.34 Rp 147.4K
$13.21 Rp 233.5K
-36.87%
Cinema Ticket
$2.51 Rp 44.4K
$3.11 Rp 54.9K
-19.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$127 Rp 2.3M
$370 Rp 6.5M
-65.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,723 Rp 83.5M
$4,428 Rp 78.3M
6.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8 Rp 1.0M
$40.11 Rp 709.2K
41.59%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.47 Rp 362.0K
$30.66 Rp 542.1K
-33.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$71.3 Rp 1.3M
$70.8 Rp 1.3M
0.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.8 Rp 1.1M
$67.9 Rp 1.2M
-4.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$255 Rp 4.5M
$585 Rp 10.3M
-56.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$83.5 Rp 1.5M
$358 Rp 6.3M
-76.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$308 Rp 5.5M
$1,846 Rp 32.6M
-83.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$176 Rp 3.1M
$922 Rp 16.3M
-80.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,197 Rp 21.2M
$1,456 Rp 25.7M
-17.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$665 Rp 11.8M
$1,214 Rp 21.5M
-45.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$213 Rp 3.8M
$284 Rp 5.0M
-25.16%
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: September 12, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: September 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $255 in Manado and $585 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Denpasar, Bali pays 34% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $17.00 in Manado vs $24.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $226 vs $239 per month, with Manado cheaper across the board.

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 Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Manado and in Denpasar, Bali?
Manado and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 62% in total monthly costs ($559 vs $909 including rent). Manado is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 34% lower in Denpasar, Bali. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Manado and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $255 in Manado versus $585 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 6% higher in Denpasar, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manado or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $559 per month in Manado versus $909 in Denpasar, Bali – a 62% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $559 in Manado versus $909 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Manado but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Manado the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Manado and Denpasar, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Manado or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Manado and Denpasar, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Manado or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Manado gentler on the wallet – expenses run 62% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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