🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $580 in Manado versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $887 in Manado versus $1,681 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,194 in Manado versus $2,404 in Denpasar, Bali.
🌍Living in Manado costs roughly 39% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Manado56% lower, Denpasar, Bali28% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.19Rp 21.6K
$2.41Rp 43.5K
-50.62%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.03Rp 163.3K
$22.01Rp 398.0K
-58.97%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.08Rp 55.8K
$3.25Rp 58.8K
-5.23%
Cappuccino
$1.68Rp 30.4K
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-6.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32Rp 5,829
$0.87Rp 15.8K
-63.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,707
$0.47Rp 8,413
-44.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.59Rp 64.9K
$1.95Rp 35.3K
84.10%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00Rp 108.4K
$2.60Rp 47.1K
130.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 21.3K
$1.44Rp 26.1K
-18.06%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89Rp 16.2K
$2.03Rp 36.7K
-56.16%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.78Rp 14.2K
$0.91Rp 16.5K
-14.29%
Eggs
$1.79Rp 32.4K
$1.97Rp 35.5K
-9.14%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.16Rp 147.5K
$11.81Rp 213.5K
-30.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.15Rp 56.9K
$3.42Rp 61.8K
-7.89%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.90Rp 142.8K
$9.84Rp 177.9K
-19.72%
Apples(1kg)
$2.74Rp 49.6K
$3.09Rp 55.9K
-11.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46Rp 26.3K
$1.31Rp 23.7K
11.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89Rp 34.2K
$2.21Rp 39.9K
-14.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.34Rp 24.2K
$1.90Rp 34.3K
-29.47%
Potato(1kg)
$1.39Rp 25.1K
$1.54Rp 27.8K
-9.74%
Onion(1kg)
$1.89Rp 34.2K
$1.87Rp 33.9K
1.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.5K
$0.82Rp 14.8K
18.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 8,000
$0.59Rp 10.7K
-25.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.38Rp 43.0K
$2.63Rp 47.5K
-9.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.43Rp 369.3K
$18.57Rp 335.9K
10.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77Rp 32.0K
$2.27Rp 41.0K
-22.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18Rp 57.5K
$2.23Rp 40.3K
42.60%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35Rp 6,412
$0.26Rp 4,728
34.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.73Rp 175.9K
$7.54Rp 136.3K
29.05%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.53Rp 9,514
$0.44Rp 7,960
20.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,717
$0.42Rp 7,509
-11.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.90Rp 52.5K
$5.66Rp 102.4K
-48.76%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 15.0K
$0.72Rp 13.1K
15.28%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRp 443.1M
$23.9KRp 432.6M
2.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KRp 506.1M
$28.4KRp 514.4M
-1.61%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$24.74Rp 447.4K
$71.0Rp 1.3M
-65.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.38Rp 79.1K
$3.55Rp 64.3K
23.38%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.31Rp 403.4K
$21.30Rp 385.2K
4.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.33Rp 331.5K
$67.6Rp 1.2M
-72.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.11Rp 110.4K
$4.47Rp 80.9K
36.69%
Cinema Ticket
$2.62Rp 47.4K
$2.79Rp 50.5K
-6.09%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.9Rp 1.7M
$234Rp 4.2M
-59.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,231Rp 94.6M
$5,006Rp 90.5M
4.50%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.2Rp 1.1M
$46.68Rp 844.1K
31.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.26Rp 438.7K
$32.96Rp 596.0K
-26.40%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.1Rp 1.7M
$75.0Rp 1.4M
26.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.3Rp 1.3M
$65.9Rp 1.2M
11.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$324Rp 5.9M
$530Rp 9.6M
-38.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$99.8Rp 1.8M
$347Rp 6.3M
-71.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$333Rp 6.0M
$1,790Rp 32.4M
-81.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$191Rp 3.4M
$1,096Rp 19.8M
-82.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,132Rp 20.5M
$1,426Rp 25.8M
-20.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$698Rp 12.6M
$1,171Rp 21.2M
-40.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$210Rp 3.8M
$279Rp 5.0M
-24.77%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
13.28
-24.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manado: July 25, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $324 in Manado and $530 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 33% 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: $9.00 in Manado vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $205 vs $242 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 65% in total monthly costs ($580 vs $959 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 33% 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: $324 in Manado versus $530 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Manado or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $580 per month in Manado versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali – a 65% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Manado and in Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Manado runs roughly 29% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,500 per month?
At $580 in Manado versus $959 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 65% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.