Cost of Living Comparison Between Padang and Denpasar, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Padang and Denpasar, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $677 in Padang versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,039 in Padang versus $1,630 in Denpasar, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,401 in Padang versus $2,320 in Denpasar, Bali.

Living in Padang costs roughly 28% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Padang 49% lower, Denpasar, Bali 30% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57 Rp 27.1K
$2.38 Rp 41.2K
-34.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.46 Rp 215.2K
$21.86 Rp 377.5K
-43.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.30 Rp 56.9K
$3.30 Rp 57.0K
-
Cappuccino
$1.73 Rp 29.8K
$1.90 Rp 32.9K
-8.95%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54 Rp 9,392
$0.89 Rp 15.4K
-39.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 Rp 4,856
$0.49 Rp 8,490
-42.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.44 Rp 42.1K
$1.95 Rp 33.7K
25.13%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.59 Rp 62.0K
$2.51 Rp 43.4K
43.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.21 Rp 21.0K
$1.41 Rp 24.3K
-14.18%
White Bread (500g)
$1.13 Rp 19.5K
$2.04 Rp 35.3K
-44.61%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.90 Rp 15.5K
$0.96 Rp 16.6K
-6.25%
Eggs
$1.59 Rp 27.4K
$2.00 Rp 34.6K
-20.50%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.06 Rp 139.2K
$11.70 Rp 202.1K
-31.11%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.20 Rp 55.2K
$3.43 Rp 59.2K
-6.71%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.82 Rp 134.9K
$9.53 Rp 164.5K
-17.94%
Apples (1kg)
$2.39 Rp 41.3K
$3.10 Rp 53.6K
-22.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.49 Rp 25.7K
$1.26 Rp 21.7K
18.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 31.3K
$2.29 Rp 39.5K
-20.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 27.1K
$1.87 Rp 32.3K
-16.04%
Potato (1kg)
$1.33 Rp 23.0K
$1.62 Rp 27.9K
-17.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.94 Rp 33.5K
$1.78 Rp 30.8K
8.99%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 Rp 16.8K
$0.81 Rp 14.0K
19.75%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 Rp 7,068
$0.58 Rp 9,961
-29.31%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56 Rp 44.2K
$2.64 Rp 45.7K
-3.03%
Wine (Bottle)
$25.62 Rp 442.3K
$19.10 Rp 329.9K
34.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.02 Rp 34.9K
$2.32 Rp 40.0K
-12.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 Rp 55.9K
$2.26 Rp 39.0K
43.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 Rp 5,088
$0.26 Rp 4,510
11.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.63 Rp 166.3K
$7.43 Rp 128.2K
29.61%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.58 Rp 9,937
$0.40 Rp 6,892
45.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 Rp 6,476
$0.41 Rp 7,161
-7.32%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.86 Rp 49.3K
$5.40 Rp 93.2K
-47.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.78 Rp 13.5K
$0.76 Rp 13.1K
2.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K Rp 430.1M
$23.2K Rp 401.1M
7.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2K Rp 470.3M
$28.4K Rp 491.0M
-4.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$70.0 Rp 1.2M
$73.2 Rp 1.3M
-4.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.39 Rp 75.8K
$3.67 Rp 63.4K
19.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.09 Rp 398.6K
$21.40 Rp 369.5K
7.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.59 Rp 390.1K
$69.5 Rp 1.2M
-67.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00 Rp 103.6K
$4.67 Rp 80.6K
28.48%
Cinema Ticket
$3.16 Rp 54.6K
$2.81 Rp 48.6K
12.46%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$93.1 Rp 1.6M
$234 Rp 4.0M
-60.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,495 Rp 129.4M
$5,114 Rp 88.3M
46.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.51 Rp 716.6K
$46.27 Rp 798.8K
-10.29%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.12 Rp 537.4K
$32.20 Rp 556.0K
-3.35%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.5 Rp 1.1M
$74.0 Rp 1.3M
-10.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.3 Rp 1.3M
$67.2 Rp 1.2M
12.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$253 Rp 4.4M
$512 Rp 8.8M
-50.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$157 Rp 2.7M
$344 Rp 5.9M
-54.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$597 Rp 10.3M
$1,804 Rp 31.1M
-66.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$328 Rp 5.7M
$1,064 Rp 18.4M
-69.21%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,127 Rp 19.5M
$1,591 Rp 27.5M
-29.17%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$780 Rp 13.5M
$1,226 Rp 21.2M
-36.39%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$177 Rp 3.1M
$293 Rp 5.1M
-39.50%
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: April 28, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: April 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $253 in Padang and $512 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Denpasar, Bali pays 65% 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 $218 vs $242 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 39% in total monthly costs ($677 vs $940 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 65% 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: $253 in Padang 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: Padang or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $677 per month in Padang versus $940 in Denpasar, Bali – a 39% 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 30% 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 $677 in Padang versus $940 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 39% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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