🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $582 in Manado versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $892 in Manado versus $1,642 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,202 in Manado versus $2,334 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: Manado57% lower, Denpasar, Bali29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.20Rp 21.6K
$2.35Rp 42.2K
-48.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.45Rp 169.2K
$21.69Rp 388.7K
-56.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.11Rp 55.7K
$3.23Rp 58.0K
-3.72%
Cappuccino
$1.62Rp 29.1K
$1.90Rp 34.1K
-14.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.30Rp 5,314
$0.94Rp 16.9K
-68.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,685
$0.47Rp 8,337
-44.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.79Rp 67.9K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
90.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.67Rp 101.6K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
121.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17Rp 21.0K
$1.46Rp 26.1K
-19.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
-55.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.4K
$0.98Rp 17.6K
-23.47%
Eggs
$1.89Rp 33.8K
$1.98Rp 35.5K
-4.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.16Rp 146.3K
$11.75Rp 210.4K
-30.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.23Rp 57.9K
$3.38Rp 60.5K
-4.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.00Rp 143.3K
$9.83Rp 176.0K
-18.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.84Rp 50.9K
$3.00Rp 53.8K
-5.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$1.30Rp 23.2K
11.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.80Rp 32.3K
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-21.05%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.29Rp 23.0K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-28.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.33Rp 23.9K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
-15.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.7K
$1.78Rp 31.8K
5.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.3K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
21.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48Rp 8,603
$0.63Rp 11.2K
-23.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.44Rp 43.6K
$2.59Rp 46.4K
-5.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.81Rp 372.8K
$18.61Rp 333.4K
11.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83Rp 32.8K
$2.24Rp 40.2K
-18.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21Rp 57.6K
$2.32Rp 41.5K
38.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.35Rp 6,341
$0.24Rp 4,288
45.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.11Rp 181.1K
$7.50Rp 134.4K
34.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54Rp 9,601
$0.41Rp 7,327
31.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,652
$0.38Rp 6,836
-2.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.93Rp 52.5K
$5.61Rp 100.5K
-47.77%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.8K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRp 438.1M
$23.6KRp 422.0M
3.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KRp 487.3M
$29.3KRp 524.1M
-7.03%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.00Rp 447.8K
$72.0Rp 1.3M
-65.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.27Rp 76.4K
$3.69Rp 66.1K
15.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.32Rp 400.0K
$21.33Rp 382.1K
4.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.56Rp 332.6K
$68.8Rp 1.2M
-73.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.13Rp 109.8K
$4.53Rp 81.2K
35.32%
Cinema Ticket
$2.54Rp 45.5K
$2.89Rp 51.7K
-12.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$95.2Rp 1.7M
$232Rp 4.2M
-59.00%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,063Rp 90.7M
$5,015Rp 89.9M
0.95%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.6Rp 1.1M
$46.98Rp 841.7K
33.33%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.48Rp 438.6K
$32.75Rp 586.7K
-25.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.7Rp 1.7M
$74.5Rp 1.3M
24.44%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.5Rp 1.3M
$67.3Rp 1.2M
10.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$322Rp 5.8M
$515Rp 9.2M
-37.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$102Rp 1.8M
$349Rp 6.3M
-70.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$325Rp 5.8M
$1,780Rp 31.9M
-81.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186Rp 3.3M
$1,083Rp 19.4M
-82.86%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,176Rp 21.1M
$1,453Rp 26.0M
-19.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$675Rp 12.1M
$1,186Rp 21.3M
-43.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$209Rp 3.7M
$325Rp 5.8M
-35.75%
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: June 8, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $322 in Manado and $515 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 56% 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 $207 vs $241 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 63% in total monthly costs ($582 vs $950 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 56% 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: $322 in Manado versus $515 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 $582 per month in Manado versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali – a 63% 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 35% 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 $582 in Manado versus $950 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 63% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.