🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Padang versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,023 in Padang versus $1,681 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,384 in Padang versus $2,404 in Denpasar, Bali.
🌍Living in Padang costs roughly 31% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Padang50% lower, Denpasar, Bali28% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.52Rp 27.4K
$2.41Rp 43.5K
-36.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.14Rp 219.5K
$22.01Rp 398.0K
-44.84%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.37Rp 60.9K
$3.25Rp 58.8K
3.69%
Cappuccino
$1.67Rp 30.1K
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-7.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,384
$0.87Rp 15.8K
-40.23%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,088
$0.47Rp 8,413
-40.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.41Rp 43.6K
$1.95Rp 35.3K
23.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.44Rp 62.1K
$2.60Rp 47.1K
32.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.9K
$1.44Rp 26.1K
-15.97%
White Bread(500g)
$1.18Rp 21.4K
$2.03Rp 36.7K
-41.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.89Rp 16.2K
$0.91Rp 16.5K
-2.20%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.5K
$1.97Rp 35.5K
-19.80%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.98Rp 144.4K
$11.81Rp 213.5K
-32.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.08Rp 55.6K
$3.42Rp 61.8K
-9.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.76Rp 140.2K
$9.84Rp 177.9K
-21.14%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34Rp 42.3K
$3.09Rp 55.9K
-24.27%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50Rp 27.1K
$1.31Rp 23.7K
14.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79Rp 32.4K
$2.21Rp 39.9K
-19.00%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.56Rp 28.2K
$1.90Rp 34.3K
-17.89%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.8K
$1.54Rp 27.8K
-14.29%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97Rp 35.5K
$1.87Rp 33.9K
5.35%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.5K
$0.82Rp 14.8K
18.29%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44Rp 7,962
$0.59Rp 10.7K
-25.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.51Rp 45.5K
$2.63Rp 47.5K
-4.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.61Rp 318.4K
$18.57Rp 335.9K
-5.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12Rp 38.3K
$2.27Rp 41.0K
-6.61%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12Rp 56.5K
$2.23Rp 40.3K
39.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,871
$0.26Rp 4,728
23.08%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.05Rp 181.8K
$7.54Rp 136.3K
33.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$0.44Rp 7,960
29.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,281
$0.42Rp 7,509
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.00Rp 54.2K
$5.66Rp 102.4K
-47.00%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 13.1K
$0.72Rp 13.1K
1.39%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6KRp 444.6M
$23.9KRp 432.6M
2.78%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0KRp 506.7M
$28.4KRp 514.4M
-1.51%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.5Rp 1.3M
$71.0Rp 1.3M
-0.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.33Rp 78.3K
$3.55Rp 64.3K
21.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.02Rp 416.3K
$21.30Rp 385.2K
8.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.34Rp 422.1K
$67.6Rp 1.2M
-65.48%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.33Rp 114.4K
$4.47Rp 80.9K
41.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.01Rp 54.5K
$2.79Rp 50.5K
7.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$91.7Rp 1.7M
$234Rp 4.2M
-60.79%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,675Rp 138.8M
$5,006Rp 90.5M
53.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.38Rp 748.3K
$46.68Rp 844.1K
-11.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.46Rp 550.8K
$32.96Rp 596.0K
-7.58%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.8Rp 1.2M
$75.0Rp 1.4M
-9.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.2Rp 1.3M
$65.9Rp 1.2M
10.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259Rp 4.7M
$530Rp 9.6M
-51.22%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$161Rp 2.9M
$347Rp 6.3M
-53.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$589Rp 10.7M
$1,790Rp 32.4M
-67.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$336Rp 6.1M
$1,096Rp 19.8M
-69.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,296Rp 23.4M
$1,426Rp 25.8M
-9.08%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$593Rp 10.7M
$1,171Rp 21.2M
-49.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Padang
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$168Rp 3.0M
$279Rp 5.0M
-39.80%
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $259 in Padang and $530 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: $12.00 in Padang vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $201 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 in Denpasar, Bali?
Padang and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 45% in total monthly costs ($662 vs $959 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: $259 in Padang versus $530 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 $662 per month in Padang versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali – a 45% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Padang and in Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Padang runs roughly 33% 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 $662 in Padang versus $959 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 45% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.