🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $626 in Mataram versus $937 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $978 in Mataram versus $1,548 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,330 in Mataram versus $2,159 in Denpasar, Bali.
🌍Living in Mataram costs roughly 33% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Mataram55% lower, Denpasar, Bali32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.03Rp 18.1K
$2.32Rp 40.9K
-55.60%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.16Rp 161.3K
$24.34Rp 428.6K
-62.37%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.28Rp 57.7K
$3.78Rp 66.5K
-13.23%
Cappuccino
$1.51Rp 26.5K
$1.83Rp 32.3K
-17.49%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 7,983
$1.16Rp 20.4K
-61.21%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33Rp 5,825
$0.51Rp 8,928
-35.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.71Rp 47.6K
$2.03Rp 35.8K
33.50%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 60.4K
$2.98Rp 52.5K
15.10%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36Rp 23.9K
$1.25Rp 22.0K
8.80%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51Rp 26.6K
$1.87Rp 32.8K
-19.25%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87Rp 15.3K
$0.90Rp 15.8K
-3.33%
Eggs
$1.48Rp 26.1K
$1.69Rp 29.7K
-12.43%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.52Rp 132.4K
$14.72Rp 259.1K
-48.91%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.91Rp 51.3K
$3.29Rp 58.0K
-11.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.60Rp 133.8K
$9.82Rp 172.9K
-22.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.23Rp 39.3K
$2.99Rp 52.6K
-25.42%
Banana(1kg)
$1.28Rp 22.4K
$1.25Rp 22.1K
2.40%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75Rp 30.8K
$1.86Rp 32.7K
-5.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.23Rp 21.6K
$1.65Rp 29.0K
-25.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.2K
$1.54Rp 27.1K
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.3K
$1.98Rp 34.9K
1.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.73Rp 12.8K
$0.84Rp 14.8K
-13.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,177
$0.41Rp 7,269
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.78Rp 48.9K
$1.81Rp 31.9K
53.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.79Rp 366.0K
$18.84Rp 331.7K
10.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.86Rp 32.7K
$1.97Rp 34.6K
-5.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.02Rp 53.1K
$2.38Rp 41.9K
26.89%
🚌 Getting Around
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,173
$0.22Rp 3,860
31.82%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$7.67Rp 135.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.50Rp 8,777
$0.43Rp 7,626
16.28%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33Rp 5,807
$0.43Rp 7,526
-23.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88Rp 50.6K
$3.04Rp 53.5K
-5.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.58Rp 10.3K
$0.68Rp 11.9K
-14.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.9KRp 402.3M
$21.8KRp 384.4M
4.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.9KRp 544.2M
$28.5KRp 502.6M
8.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.9Rp 1.2M
$75.7Rp 1.3M
-9.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.02Rp 70.8K
$5.84Rp 102.9K
-31.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.52Rp 343.7K
$17.30Rp 304.5K
12.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.37Rp 358.7K
$39.41Rp 693.9K
-48.31%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.63Rp 151.9K
$12.91Rp 227.4K
-33.15%
Cinema Ticket
$2.79Rp 49.1K
$3.09Rp 54.4K
-9.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.1Rp 1.7M
$383Rp 6.7M
-75.42%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,667Rp 135.0M
$4,468Rp 78.7M
71.62%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.72Rp 787.3K
$39.69Rp 698.7K
12.67%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.49Rp 519.3K
$31.07Rp 547.0K
-5.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$74.1Rp 1.3M
$69.4Rp 1.2M
6.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.8Rp 1.3M
$68.1Rp 1.2M
6.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$227Rp 4.0M
$591Rp 10.4M
-61.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$137Rp 2.4M
$361Rp 6.4M
-61.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$563Rp 9.9M
$1,858Rp 32.7M
-69.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$370Rp 6.5M
$906Rp 15.9M
-59.20%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,194Rp 21.0M
$1,463Rp 25.8M
-18.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$662Rp 11.6M
$1,200Rp 21.1M
-44.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mataram
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$227Rp 4.0M
$279Rp 4.9M
-18.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.46
13.78
-31.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mataram: September 7, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $227 in Mataram and $591 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 23% 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 Mataram vs $24.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $239 per month, with Mataram 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
Mataram vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mataram and in Denpasar, Bali?
Mataram and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 50% in total monthly costs ($626 vs $937 including rent). Mataram 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 23% 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 Mataram and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $227 in Mataram versus $591 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 18% higher in Denpasar, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Mataram or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $626 per month in Mataram versus $937 in Denpasar, Bali – a 50% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $626 in Mataram versus $937 in Denpasar, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mataram but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Mataram the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mataram 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 Mataram or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mataram 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: Mataram or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Mataram gentler on the wallet – expenses run 50% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.