🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $661 in Palembang versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,043 in Palembang versus $3,176 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,426 in Palembang versus $4,593 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🌍Living in Palembang costs roughly 62% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Palembang is 51% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 32% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$4.27Rp 76.3K
-71.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$17.90Rp 320.2K
$39.90Rp 713.9K
-55.14%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.05Rp 54.5K
$6.16Rp 110.1K
-50.49%
Cappuccino
$1.40Rp 25.1K
$3.29Rp 58.8K
-57.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.90Rp 16.1K
$1.62Rp 29.0K
-44.44%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,640
$0.89Rp 15.8K
-70.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79Rp 31.9K
$3.53Rp 63.2K
-49.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.75Rp 67.0K
$4.76Rp 85.1K
-21.22%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.31Rp 23.4K
$1.87Rp 33.5K
-29.95%
White Bread(500g)
$1.10Rp 19.8K
$2.63Rp 47.1K
-58.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.6K
$1.27Rp 22.7K
8.66%
Eggs
$1.27Rp 22.7K
$2.57Rp 45.9K
-50.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.96Rp 142.5K
$15.13Rp 270.6K
-47.39%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.14Rp 56.1K
$4.37Rp 78.2K
-28.15%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.48Rp 151.8K
$12.43Rp 222.3K
-31.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30Rp 41.2K
$3.96Rp 70.9K
-41.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.46Rp 26.1K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
-10.43%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.2K
$2.90Rp 51.9K
-36.21%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$2.35Rp 42.0K
-33.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 24.4K
$2.00Rp 35.8K
-31.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98Rp 35.4K
$2.30Rp 41.2K
-13.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.4K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
-10.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 9,004
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-38.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.42Rp 43.4K
$3.28Rp 58.8K
-26.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.22Rp 361.7K
$24.45Rp 437.4K
-17.30%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05Rp 36.7K
$2.89Rp 51.8K
-29.07%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23Rp 57.7K
$2.87Rp 51.3K
12.54%
🚌 Getting Around
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.48Rp 8,637
$0.36Rp 6,489
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.59Rp 171.6K
$10.28Rp 184.0K
-6.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$0.57Rp 10.1K
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,126
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-40.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.84Rp 50.7K
$7.63Rp 136.4K
-62.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$1.06Rp 18.9K
-28.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KRp 444.4M
$32.2KRp 575.4M
-22.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.1KRp 502.4M
$40.3KRp 720.3M
-30.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.2Rp 1.3M
$88.2Rp 1.6M
-20.48%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.18Rp 74.7K
$4.47Rp 80.0K
-6.49%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.42Rp 418.9K
$26.05Rp 466.1K
-10.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.79Rp 407.6K
$115Rp 2.1M
-80.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.02Rp 107.7K
$7.75Rp 138.7K
-22.32%
Cinema Ticket
$2.98Rp 53.4K
$4.70Rp 84.1K
-36.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$94.2Rp 1.7M
$339Rp 6.1M
-72.21%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,485Rp 133.9M
$7,595Rp 135.9M
-1.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.82Rp 748.1K
$60.8Rp 1.1M
-31.25%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.61Rp 547.6K
$42.63Rp 762.7K
-28.20%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.9Rp 1.2M
$97.9Rp 1.8M
-32.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.9Rp 1.3M
$86.1Rp 1.5M
-15.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.7M
$1,369Rp 24.5M
-80.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$920Rp 16.5M
-82.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593Rp 10.6M
$4,495Rp 80.4M
-86.81%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328Rp 5.9M
$2,803Rp 50.2M
-88.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$976Rp 17.5M
$3,751Rp 67.1M
-73.97%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$601Rp 10.7M
$3,040Rp 54.4M
-80.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Palembang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$300Rp 5.4M
-
-
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 Palembang: July 13, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $262 in Palembang and $1,369 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $18.00 in Palembang vs $40.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $210 vs $312 per month, with Palembang 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
Palembang vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Palembang?
Palembang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 166% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $991 in Palembang and $2,638 in Uluwatu, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Palembang and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $262 in Palembang versus $1,369 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Palembang and in Uluwatu, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $661 per month in Palembang versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali – a 166% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Palembang runs roughly 7% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Palembang or in Uluwatu, Bali?
At $661 in Palembang versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Palembang but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Palembang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Palembang or Uluwatu, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Palembang is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Uluwatu, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Palembang or Uluwatu, Bali?
Safety-wise, Palembang and Uluwatu, 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Palembang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 166% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.