🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $671 in Pekanbaru versus $1,700 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $972 in Pekanbaru versus $3,132 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,273 in Pekanbaru versus $4,565 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Living in Pekanbaru costs roughly 61% less than in Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Pekanbaru is 50% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 27% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.58Rp 28.1K
$4.14Rp 74.0K
-61.84%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.16Rp 163.6K
$38.93Rp 695.2K
-76.47%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.43Rp 43.3K
$5.99Rp 106.9K
-59.43%
Cappuccino
$1.35Rp 24.2K
$3.39Rp 60.6K
-60.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.50Rp 8,881
$1.61Rp 28.8K
-68.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24Rp 4,259
$0.88Rp 15.8K
-72.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21Rp 39.5K
$3.53Rp 63.1K
-37.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31Rp 59.1K
$4.59Rp 81.9K
-27.89%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.36Rp 24.2K
$1.83Rp 32.7K
-25.68%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 21.4K
$2.66Rp 47.5K
-54.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.98Rp 17.5K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-19.01%
Eggs
$1.71Rp 30.5K
$2.53Rp 45.2K
-32.41%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.17Rp 306.6K
$15.46Rp 276.0K
11.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.62Rp 46.8K
$4.56Rp 81.4K
-42.54%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.17Rp 181.5K
$12.51Rp 223.4K
-18.71%
Apples(1kg)
$2.88Rp 51.4K
$3.90Rp 69.6K
-26.15%
Banana(1kg)
$1.68Rp 30.1K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
3.07%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.8K
$2.91Rp 52.0K
-31.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.96Rp 17.2K
$2.38Rp 42.4K
-59.66%
Potato(1kg)
$1.01Rp 18.1K
$2.06Rp 36.8K
-50.97%
Onion(1kg)
$1.67Rp 29.8K
$2.37Rp 42.4K
-29.54%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.50Rp 26.8K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
38.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,024
$0.74Rp 13.3K
-39.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25Rp 40.2K
$3.28Rp 58.6K
-31.40%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.07Rp 376.3K
$25.10Rp 448.3K
-16.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.80Rp 50.0K
$3.00Rp 53.6K
-6.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.08Rp 72.8K
$2.90Rp 51.8K
40.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,261
$0.34Rp 6,057
-14.71%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.04Rp 161.5K
$10.40Rp 185.7K
-13.08%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.88Rp 15.7K
$0.60Rp 10.8K
46.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.44Rp 7,814
$0.54Rp 9,583
-18.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.14Rp 38.2K
$7.56Rp 135.0K
-71.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.7K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-25.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.7KRp 405.1M
$32.2KRp 574.5M
-29.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.7KRp 459.7M
$39.4KRp 703.6M
-34.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.3Rp 1.2M
$87.6Rp 1.6M
-20.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.73Rp 120.2K
$4.34Rp 77.5K
55.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$28.30Rp 505.4K
$26.50Rp 473.2K
6.79%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.12Rp 412.8K
$112Rp 2.0M
-79.36%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.25Rp 218.7K
$7.62Rp 136.1K
60.76%
Cinema Ticket
$3.29Rp 58.7K
$4.77Rp 85.2K
-31.03%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$175Rp 3.1M
$347Rp 6.2M
-49.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,092Rp 55.2M
$7,491Rp 133.8M
-58.73%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.33Rp 613.1K
$60.3Rp 1.1M
-43.04%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.18Rp 646.2K
$42.64Rp 761.4K
-15.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.1Rp 1.2M
$97.5Rp 1.7M
-33.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.5Rp 1.4M
$85.2Rp 1.5M
-10.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$258Rp 4.6M
$1,335Rp 23.8M
-80.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$120Rp 2.2M
$921Rp 16.5M
-86.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$908Rp 16.2M
$4,567Rp 81.6M
-80.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.7M
$2,786Rp 49.8M
-94.47%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,026Rp 18.3M
$3,712Rp 66.3M
-72.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$722Rp 12.9M
$3,139Rp 56.1M
-77.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$190Rp 3.4M
-
-
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 Pekanbaru: May 31, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $258 in Pekanbaru and $1,335 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Pekanbaru vs $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $251 vs $315 per month, with Pekanbaru 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
Pekanbaru vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Pekanbaru?
Pekanbaru is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 153% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,007 in Pekanbaru and $2,550 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: $258 in Pekanbaru versus $1,335 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 Uluwatu, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Pekanbaru – a meal for two runs $9.00 versus $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Pekanbaru vs Uluwatu, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $671 per month in Pekanbaru versus $1,700 in Uluwatu, Bali – a 153% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Pekanbaru or Uluwatu, Bali?
At $671 in Pekanbaru versus $1,700 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 153% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.