🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $603 in Manado versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $929 in Manado versus $1,630 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,255 in Manado versus $2,320 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Living in Manado costs roughly 36% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Manado55% lower, Denpasar, Bali30% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.27Rp 21.9K
$2.38Rp 41.3K
-46.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.38Rp 162.6K
$21.86Rp 379.0K
-57.09%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 54.5K
$3.30Rp 57.2K
-4.85%
Cappuccino
$1.66Rp 28.8K
$1.90Rp 33.0K
-12.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32Rp 5,563
$0.89Rp 15.4K
-64.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,530
$0.49Rp 8,522
-46.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.67Rp 63.6K
$1.95Rp 33.8K
88.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.87Rp 101.8K
$2.51Rp 43.6K
133.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.2K
$1.41Rp 24.4K
-13.48%
White Bread(500g)
$0.91Rp 15.7K
$2.04Rp 35.4K
-55.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.73Rp 12.7K
$0.96Rp 16.7K
-23.96%
Eggs
$1.82Rp 31.5K
$2.00Rp 34.7K
-9.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91Rp 137.0K
$11.70Rp 202.8K
-32.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.08Rp 53.3K
$3.43Rp 59.4K
-10.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.74Rp 134.1K
$9.53Rp 165.2K
-18.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.82Rp 48.8K
$3.10Rp 53.8K
-9.03%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47Rp 25.5K
$1.26Rp 21.8K
16.67%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86Rp 32.3K
$2.29Rp 39.6K
-18.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30Rp 22.5K
$1.87Rp 32.4K
-30.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 23.7K
$1.62Rp 28.0K
-15.43%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90Rp 32.9K
$1.78Rp 30.9K
6.74%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90Rp 15.5K
$0.81Rp 14.0K
11.11%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,231
$0.58Rp 9,999
-18.97%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.32Rp 40.3K
$2.64Rp 45.8K
-12.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$28.87Rp 500.3K
$19.10Rp 331.1K
51.15%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 30.3K
$2.32Rp 40.1K
-24.57%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16Rp 54.8K
$2.26Rp 39.1K
39.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,602
$0.26Rp 4,527
23.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.60Rp 166.4K
$7.43Rp 128.7K
29.21%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54Rp 9,323
$0.40Rp 6,918
35.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,421
$0.41Rp 7,189
-9.76%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.96Rp 51.3K
$5.40Rp 93.6K
-45.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 13.9K
$0.76Rp 13.2K
5.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KRp 427.7M
$23.2KRp 402.6M
6.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KRp 470.7M
$28.4KRp 492.9M
-4.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$24.75Rp 428.9K
$73.2Rp 1.3M
-66.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.32Rp 74.9K
$3.67Rp 63.7K
17.71%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.13Rp 400.9K
$21.40Rp 370.9K
8.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.53Rp 321.2K
$69.5Rp 1.2M
-73.34%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.12Rp 106.0K
$4.67Rp 80.9K
31.05%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66Rp 46.1K
$2.81Rp 48.7K
-5.34%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.1Rp 1.6M
$234Rp 4.1M
-60.61%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,155Rp 89.3M
$5,114Rp 88.6M
0.81%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.0Rp 1.1M
$46.27Rp 801.9K
31.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.46Rp 424.0K
$32.20Rp 558.1K
-24.04%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4Rp 1.6M
$74.0Rp 1.3M
26.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.8Rp 1.3M
$67.2Rp 1.2M
11.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$328Rp 5.7M
$512Rp 8.9M
-36.00%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$98.8Rp 1.7M
$344Rp 6.0M
-71.29%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327Rp 5.7M
$1,804Rp 31.3M
-81.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186Rp 3.2M
$1,064Rp 18.4M
-82.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,203Rp 20.9M
$1,591Rp 27.6M
-24.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$782Rp 13.6M
$1,226Rp 21.2M
-36.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$221Rp 3.8M
$293Rp 5.1M
-24.43%
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: April 25, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: April 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $328 in Manado and $512 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 32% 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 $221 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Manado and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 56% in total monthly costs ($603 vs $940 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, Denpasar, Bali earns 32% less. 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $328 in Manado versus $512 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 $603 per month in Manado versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali – a 56% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Manado and 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 $603 in Manado versus $940 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 56% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.