🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $665 in Padang versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,030 in Padang versus $1,642 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,394 in Padang versus $2,334 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Living in Padang costs roughly 30% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Padang51% lower, Denpasar, Bali29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.58Rp 28.3K
$2.35Rp 42.2K
-32.77%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.45Rp 223.0K
$21.69Rp 388.7K
-42.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.30Rp 59.2K
$3.23Rp 58.0K
2.17%
Cappuccino
$1.72Rp 30.8K
$1.90Rp 34.1K
-9.47%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55Rp 9,766
$0.94Rp 16.9K
-41.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,628
$0.47Rp 8,337
-44.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.42Rp 43.3K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
21.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.52Rp 63.0K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
37.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17Rp 20.9K
$1.46Rp 26.1K
-19.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13Rp 20.2K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
-43.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$0.98Rp 17.6K
-9.18%
Eggs
$1.55Rp 27.7K
$1.98Rp 35.5K
-21.72%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.92Rp 142.0K
$11.75Rp 210.4K
-32.60%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.21Rp 57.5K
$3.38Rp 60.5K
-5.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.07Rp 144.6K
$9.83Rp 176.0K
-17.90%
Apples(1kg)
$2.32Rp 41.5K
$3.00Rp 53.8K
-22.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.30Rp 23.2K
14.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86Rp 33.2K
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-18.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.7K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-14.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.8K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
-12.10%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.7K
$1.78Rp 31.8K
5.62%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89Rp 16.0K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
11.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,086
$0.63Rp 11.2K
-28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.51Rp 45.0K
$2.59Rp 46.4K
-3.09%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.89Rp 320.5K
$18.61Rp 333.4K
-3.87%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.10Rp 37.6K
$2.24Rp 40.2K
-6.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10Rp 55.6K
$2.32Rp 41.5K
33.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,345
$0.24Rp 4,288
25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.07Rp 180.4K
$7.50Rp 134.4K
34.27%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.0K
$0.41Rp 7,327
36.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,637
$0.38Rp 6,836
-2.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.96Rp 53.0K
$5.61Rp 100.5K
-47.24%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.9K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 440.8M
$23.6KRp 422.0M
4.46%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KRp 492.0M
$29.3KRp 524.1M
-6.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.8Rp 1.3M
$72.0Rp 1.3M
-1.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.28Rp 76.6K
$3.69Rp 66.1K
15.99%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.83Rp 409.1K
$21.33Rp 382.1K
7.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.14Rp 414.6K
$68.8Rp 1.2M
-66.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.30Rp 112.9K
$4.53Rp 81.2K
39.07%
Cinema Ticket
$3.08Rp 55.3K
$2.89Rp 51.7K
6.57%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.7Rp 1.7M
$232Rp 4.2M
-59.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,511Rp 134.6M
$5,015Rp 89.9M
49.75%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.13Rp 754.8K
$46.98Rp 841.7K
-10.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.11Rp 557.4K
$32.75Rp 586.7K
-5.01%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.8Rp 1.2M
$74.5Rp 1.3M
-11.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.6Rp 1.3M
$67.3Rp 1.2M
10.89%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.7M
$515Rp 9.2M
-49.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$159Rp 2.9M
$349Rp 6.3M
-54.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$590Rp 10.6M
$1,780Rp 31.9M
-66.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$333Rp 6.0M
$1,083Rp 19.4M
-69.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,241Rp 22.2M
$1,453Rp 26.0M
-14.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$787Rp 14.1M
$1,186Rp 21.3M
-33.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$167Rp 3.0M
$325Rp 5.8M
-48.62%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Padang: June 6, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $262 in Padang and $515 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 95% 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: $12.00 in Padang vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $202 vs $241 per month, with Padang 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
Padang vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Padang and Denpasar, Bali?
Padang and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 43% in total monthly costs ($665 vs $950 including rent). Padang 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 95% 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 Padang and Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $262 in Padang 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: Padang or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $665 per month in Padang versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Padang and Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Padang runs roughly 34% 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 $1,000 per month?
At $665 in Padang versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Padang but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Padang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Padang 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 Padang or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Padang 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: Padang or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Padang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.