🙂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: Manado59% lower, Denpasar, Bali34% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.38Rp 24.4K
$2.23Rp 39.4K
-38.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.27Rp 305.4K
$23.92Rp 423.0K
-27.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.75Rp 48.7K
$3.76Rp 66.4K
-26.86%
Cappuccino
$1.84Rp 32.6K
$1.77Rp 31.4K
3.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58Rp 10.2K
$1.24Rp 21.9K
-53.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,208
$0.52Rp 9,118
-53.85%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.48Rp 61.5K
$1.94Rp 34.3K
79.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75Rp 48.6K
$2.93Rp 51.8K
-6.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.42Rp 25.1K
$1.29Rp 22.9K
10.08%
White Bread(500g)
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$1.86Rp 32.9K
-39.78%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.74Rp 13.1K
$0.91Rp 16.1K
-18.68%
Eggs
$1.97Rp 34.8K
$1.76Rp 31.2K
11.93%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.35Rp 306.7K
$14.64Rp 258.8K
18.51%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.88Rp 50.9K
$3.20Rp 56.5K
-10.00%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.35Rp 112.3K
$9.81Rp 173.5K
-35.27%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 40.8K
$3.04Rp 53.7K
-24.01%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54Rp 27.2K
$1.32Rp 23.3K
16.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.35Rp 23.9K
$1.87Rp 33.0K
-27.81%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.2K
$1.60Rp 28.3K
-39.38%
Potato(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.53Rp 27.0K
-47.71%
Onion(1kg)
$2.82Rp 49.9K
$1.94Rp 34.3K
45.36%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.75Rp 13.2K
$0.78Rp 13.8K
-3.85%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,706
$0.41Rp 7,335
7.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.40Rp 42.4K
$1.88Rp 33.3K
27.66%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.77Rp 367.3K
$18.97Rp 335.4K
9.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83Rp 32.4K
$1.87Rp 33.1K
-2.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.95Rp 52.2K
$2.50Rp 44.2K
18.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,242
$0.24Rp 4,261
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$7.36Rp 130.2K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.53Rp 9,348
$0.43Rp 7,646
23.26%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33Rp 5,762
$0.39Rp 6,953
-15.38%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.91Rp 51.5K
$3.06Rp 54.0K
-4.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.61Rp 10.8K
$0.73Rp 13.0K
-16.44%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2KRp 428.7M
$22.5KRp 398.7M
7.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.3KRp 553.4M
$28.3KRp 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)
$54.2Rp 958.4K
$75.9Rp 1.3M
-28.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.37Rp 77.3K
$5.96Rp 105.4K
-26.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.92Rp 246.1K
$16.71Rp 295.5K
-16.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.01Rp 230.1K
$39.78Rp 703.5K
-67.30%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.34Rp 147.4K
$13.21Rp 233.5K
-36.87%
Cinema Ticket
$2.51Rp 44.4K
$3.11Rp 54.9K
-19.29%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$127Rp 2.3M
$370Rp 6.5M
-65.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,723Rp 83.5M
$4,428Rp 78.3M
6.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$56.8Rp 1.0M
$40.11Rp 709.2K
41.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.47Rp 362.0K
$30.66Rp 542.1K
-33.24%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.3Rp 1.3M
$70.8Rp 1.3M
0.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.8Rp 1.1M
$67.9Rp 1.2M
-4.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255Rp 4.5M
$585Rp 10.3M
-56.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$83.5Rp 1.5M
$358Rp 6.3M
-76.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$308Rp 5.5M
$1,846Rp 32.6M
-83.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$176Rp 3.1M
$922Rp 16.3M
-80.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,197Rp 21.2M
$1,456Rp 25.7M
-17.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$665Rp 11.8M
$1,214Rp 21.5M
-45.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$213Rp 3.8M
$284Rp 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.