🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $626 in Padang versus $937 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $989 in Padang versus $1,548 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,353 in Padang versus $2,159 in Denpasar, Bali.
🌍Living in Padang costs roughly 33% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Padang55% lower, Denpasar, Bali32% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.75Rp 30.8K
$2.32Rp 40.9K
-24.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$15.32Rp 269.8K
$24.34Rp 428.6K
-37.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.70Rp 65.2K
$3.78Rp 66.5K
-2.12%
Cappuccino
$1.66Rp 29.2K
$1.83Rp 32.3K
-9.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,048
$1.16Rp 20.4K
-65.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,057
$0.51Rp 8,928
-54.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48Rp 43.7K
$2.03Rp 35.8K
22.17%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26Rp 57.3K
$2.98Rp 52.5K
9.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.18Rp 20.8K
$1.25Rp 22.0K
-5.60%
White Bread(500g)
$1.18Rp 20.8K
$1.87Rp 32.8K
-36.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.90Rp 15.8K
$0.90Rp 15.8K
-
Eggs
$1.51Rp 26.5K
$1.69Rp 29.7K
-10.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.22Rp 144.7K
$14.72Rp 259.1K
-44.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.79Rp 49.1K
$3.29Rp 58.0K
-15.20%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.86Rp 156.0K
$9.82Rp 172.9K
-9.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.2K
$2.99Rp 52.6K
-33.11%
Banana(1kg)
$1.13Rp 19.9K
$1.25Rp 22.1K
-9.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79Rp 31.6K
$1.86Rp 32.7K
-3.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.41Rp 24.8K
$1.65Rp 29.0K
-14.55%
Potato(1kg)
$1.40Rp 24.6K
$1.54Rp 27.1K
-9.09%
Onion(1kg)
$1.82Rp 32.0K
$1.98Rp 34.9K
-8.08%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.81Rp 14.3K
$0.84Rp 14.8K
-3.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,700
$0.41Rp 7,269
7.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.79Rp 49.1K
$1.81Rp 31.9K
54.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.64Rp 363.3K
$18.84Rp 331.7K
9.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08Rp 36.5K
$1.97Rp 34.6K
5.58%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27Rp 57.6K
$2.38Rp 41.9K
37.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.25Rp 4,416
$0.22Rp 3,860
13.64%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$7.67Rp 135.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,436
$0.43Rp 7,626
11.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,439
$0.43Rp 7,526
-27.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.02Rp 53.1K
$3.04Rp 53.5K
-0.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74Rp 13.0K
$0.68Rp 11.9K
8.82%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.0KRp 369.6M
$21.8KRp 384.4M
-3.86%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KRp 554.5M
$28.5KRp 502.6M
10.32%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$62.4Rp 1.1M
$75.7Rp 1.3M
-17.59%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.35Rp 76.6K
$5.84Rp 102.9K
-25.51%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.02Rp 352.5K
$17.30Rp 304.5K
15.72%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.33Rp 357.9K
$39.41Rp 693.9K
-48.41%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.47Rp 131.5K
$12.91Rp 227.4K
-42.14%
Cinema Ticket
$2.61Rp 46.0K
$3.09Rp 54.4K
-15.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.6Rp 1.6M
$383Rp 6.7M
-75.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,049Rp 124.1M
$4,468Rp 78.7M
57.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$43.97Rp 774.1K
$39.69Rp 698.7K
10.78%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.36Rp 534.6K
$31.07Rp 547.0K
-2.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.0Rp 1.4M
$69.4Rp 1.2M
18.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.7Rp 1.3M
$68.1Rp 1.2M
6.77%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$241Rp 4.3M
$591Rp 10.4M
-59.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$146Rp 2.6M
$361Rp 6.4M
-59.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$522Rp 9.2M
$1,858Rp 32.7M
-71.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$415Rp 7.3M
$906Rp 15.9M
-54.19%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,336Rp 23.5M
$1,463Rp 25.8M
-8.67%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$618Rp 10.9M
$1,200Rp 21.1M
-48.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$168Rp 3.0M
$279Rp 4.9M
-39.77%
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 Padang: September 6, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: September 5, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $241 in Padang and $591 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 66% 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: $15.00 in Padang vs $24.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $204 vs $239 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 in Denpasar, Bali?
Padang and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 50% in total monthly costs ($626 vs $937 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, salaries run 66% 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 Padang and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $241 in Padang 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 17% higher in Denpasar, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Padang or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $626 per month in Padang 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 $1,000 per month?
At $626 in Padang versus $937 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 50% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.