Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Pekanbaru and Uluwatu, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Pekanbaru: $628 a month against $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $12,800 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Pekanbaru
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$628
/mo nomad
Uluwatu, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,692
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Pekanbaru and in Uluwatu, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Pekanbaru and in Uluwatu, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $628 in Pekanbaru versus $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali.

  • Pekanbaru $628
  • Uluwatu, Bali $1,692

Estimated couple costs with rent: $983 in Pekanbaru versus $2,873 in Uluwatu, Bali.

  • Pekanbaru $983
  • Uluwatu, Bali $2,873

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,339 in Pekanbaru versus $4,054 in Uluwatu, Bali.

  • Pekanbaru $1,339
  • Uluwatu, Bali $4,054

Living in Pekanbaru costs roughly 63% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Pekanbaru is 53% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 25% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.43 Rp 25.8K
$3.94 Rp 70.9K
-63.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.20 Rp 147.6K
$42.05 Rp 757.0K
-80.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$2.41 Rp 43.4K
$6.72 Rp 120.9K
-64.14%
Cappuccino
$1.30 Rp 23.3K
$3.25 Rp 58.5K
-60.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58 Rp 10.4K
$2.09 Rp 37.5K
-72.25%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 Rp 5,954
$0.94 Rp 17.0K
-64.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.07 Rp 37.3K
$3.14 Rp 56.6K
-34.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
$5.44 Rp 97.9K
-36.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.30 Rp 23.3K
$1.64 Rp 29.6K
-20.73%
White Bread (500g)
$1.15 Rp 20.6K
$2.38 Rp 42.9K
-51.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.89 Rp 16.1K
$1.29 Rp 23.2K
-31.01%
Eggs
$1.68 Rp 30.3K
$2.27 Rp 40.9K
-25.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.30 Rp 131.3K
$18.59 Rp 334.5K
-60.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.37 Rp 42.7K
$4.18 Rp 75.2K
-43.30%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.49 Rp 116.9K
$12.92 Rp 232.5K
-49.77%
Apples (1kg)
$2.70 Rp 48.5K
$3.72 Rp 66.9K
-27.42%
Banana (1kg)
$1.70 Rp 30.6K
$1.66 Rp 29.8K
2.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.41 Rp 43.4K
$2.48 Rp 44.6K
-2.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.27 Rp 22.8K
$2.02 Rp 36.3K
-37.13%
Potato (1kg)
$1.24 Rp 22.3K
$1.94 Rp 35.0K
-36.08%
Onion (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
$2.53 Rp 45.5K
-24.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
$1.04 Rp 18.7K
-27.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 Rp 6,350
$0.51 Rp 9,237
-31.37%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.16 Rp 38.9K
$2.37 Rp 42.6K
-8.86%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.45 Rp 386.0K
$23.90 Rp 430.2K
-10.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
$2.48 Rp 44.7K
-22.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 Rp 54.2K
$3.15 Rp 56.7K
-4.44%
🚌 Getting Around
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 Rp 5,230
$0.30 Rp 5,310
-3.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.44 Rp 152.0K
$10.28 Rp 185.1K
-17.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.92 Rp 16.6K
$0.60 Rp 10.8K
53.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.40 Rp 7,154
$0.52 Rp 9,437
-23.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.68 Rp 48.2K
$2.71 Rp 48.8K
-1.11%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 Rp 13.6K
$1.10 Rp 19.9K
-30.91%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.3K Rp 418.9M
$29.9K Rp 538.1M
-22.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K Rp 468.5M
$39.6K Rp 712.6M
-34.25%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$62.1 Rp 1.1M
$89.3 Rp 1.6M
-30.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.99 Rp 107.9K
$7.09 Rp 127.7K
-15.51%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.78 Rp 428.1K
$20.79 Rp 374.2K
14.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.34 Rp 510.2K
$63.6 Rp 1.1M
-55.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.31 Rp 149.7K
$20.80 Rp 374.5K
-60.05%
Cinema Ticket
$3.03 Rp 54.6K
$5.01 Rp 90.1K
-39.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$96.0 Rp 1.7M
$560 Rp 10.1M
-82.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,773 Rp 139.9M
$6,562 Rp 118.1M
18.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.96 Rp 575.3K
$49.97 Rp 899.5K
-36.04%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$28.42 Rp 511.6K
$38.06 Rp 685.1K
-25.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$54.8 Rp 985.5K
$88.5 Rp 1.6M
-38.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.8 Rp 1.5M
$87.5 Rp 1.6M
-7.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$262 Rp 4.7M
$1,518 Rp 27.3M
-82.76%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$145 Rp 2.6M
$933 Rp 16.8M
-84.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$540 Rp 9.7M
$4,875 Rp 87.7M
-88.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$356 Rp 6.4M
$2,323 Rp 41.8M
-84.66%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,070 Rp 19.3M
$3,738 Rp 67.3M
-71.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$807 Rp 14.5M
$3,108 Rp 55.9M
-74.02%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$176 Rp 3.2M
-
-
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 Pekanbaru: October 12, 2026

Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Pekanbaru
$201
Uluwatu, Bali
$306 52.4% $105
Accommodation & Living
Pekanbaru
$145
Uluwatu, Bali
$933 544% $788
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pekanbaru
$92
Uluwatu, Bali
$117 27.5% $25
Clothing & Footwear
Pekanbaru
$88
Uluwatu, Bali
$119 34.8% $31
Eating Out
Pekanbaru
$55
Uluwatu, Bali
$129 135% $74
Sport & Entertainment
Pekanbaru
$34
Uluwatu, Bali
$74 114% $39
Getting Around
Pekanbaru
$13
Uluwatu, Bali
$15 17.3% $2.2

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $262 in Pekanbaru and $1,518 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $8.00 in Pekanbaru vs $42.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $201 vs $306 per month, with Pekanbaru cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Pekanbaru
🇮🇩 Uluwatu, Bali
🕒 Local time
05:14 5:14 AM
06:14 6:14 AM
1 h ahead of Pekanbaru
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,020,308
5,000
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Pekanbaru Uluwatu, Bali 1,830 km ≈ 2 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Pekanbaru
  • Uluwatu, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Pekanbaru vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Pekanbaru?
Pekanbaru is cheaper overall, especially in groceries, clothing, and eating out. The 170% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $942 in Pekanbaru and $2,538 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 Pekanbaru and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $262 in Pekanbaru versus $1,518 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Pekanbaru or in Uluwatu, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Pekanbaru – a meal for two runs $8.00 versus $42.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Pekanbaru and in Uluwatu, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $628 per month in Pekanbaru versus $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali – a 170% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Pekanbaru or in Uluwatu, Bali?
At $628 in Pekanbaru versus $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pekanbaru but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Pekanbaru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Pekanbaru or Uluwatu, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Pekanbaru 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, Pekanbaru or Uluwatu, Bali?
Safety-wise, Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 170% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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