🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $681 in Pekanbaru versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $970 in Pekanbaru versus $3,176 in Uluwatu, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,258 in Pekanbaru versus $4,593 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 49% below, Uluwatu, Bali is 32% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.56Rp 27.9K
$4.27Rp 76.3K
-63.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.68Rp 155.2K
$39.90Rp 713.9K
-78.25%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.49Rp 44.6K
$6.16Rp 110.1K
-59.58%
Cappuccino
$1.42Rp 25.4K
$3.29Rp 58.8K
-56.84%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,346
$1.62Rp 29.0K
-70.99%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,653
$0.89Rp 15.8K
-70.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.14Rp 38.3K
$3.53Rp 63.2K
-39.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 61.3K
$4.76Rp 85.1K
-27.94%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.34Rp 24.0K
$1.87Rp 33.5K
-28.34%
White Bread(500g)
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$2.63Rp 47.1K
-54.37%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02Rp 18.3K
$1.27Rp 22.7K
-19.69%
Eggs
$1.78Rp 31.8K
$2.57Rp 45.9K
-30.74%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$16.88Rp 302.0K
$15.13Rp 270.6K
11.57%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.61Rp 46.7K
$4.37Rp 78.2K
-40.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.40Rp 186.1K
$12.43Rp 222.3K
-16.33%
Apples(1kg)
$2.96Rp 52.9K
$3.96Rp 70.9K
-25.25%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67Rp 29.9K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
2.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01Rp 36.0K
$2.90Rp 51.9K
-30.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$2.35Rp 42.0K
-62.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00Rp 17.8K
$2.00Rp 35.8K
-50.00%
Onion(1kg)
$1.61Rp 28.7K
$2.30Rp 41.2K
-30.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.58Rp 28.2K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
46.30%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,365
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-49.38%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30Rp 41.1K
$3.28Rp 58.8K
-29.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.82Rp 354.6K
$24.45Rp 437.4K
-18.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74Rp 49.1K
$2.89Rp 51.8K
-5.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87Rp 69.3K
$2.87Rp 51.3K
34.84%
🚌 Getting Around
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,287
$0.36Rp 6,489
-16.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.33Rp 166.9K
$10.28Rp 184.0K
-9.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89Rp 15.8K
$0.57Rp 10.1K
56.14%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.40Rp 7,187
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-29.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.18Rp 39.0K
$7.63Rp 136.4K
-71.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.8K
$1.06Rp 18.9K
-27.36%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KRp 414.4M
$32.2KRp 575.4M
-27.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.5KRp 455.4M
$40.3KRp 720.3M
-36.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.3Rp 1.3M
$88.2Rp 1.6M
-20.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.58Rp 117.7K
$4.47Rp 80.0K
47.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.97Rp 500.3K
$26.05Rp 466.1K
7.37%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.15Rp 414.2K
$115Rp 2.1M
-79.92%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$12.41Rp 222.0K
$7.75Rp 138.7K
60.13%
Cinema Ticket
$3.21Rp 57.4K
$4.70Rp 84.1K
-31.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$174Rp 3.1M
$339Rp 6.1M
-48.62%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,096Rp 55.4M
$7,595Rp 135.9M
-59.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.18Rp 611.4K
$60.8Rp 1.1M
-43.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.35Rp 650.3K
$42.63Rp 762.7K
-14.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.7Rp 1.2M
$97.9Rp 1.8M
-32.86%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$75.9Rp 1.4M
$86.1Rp 1.5M
-11.84%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$1,369Rp 24.5M
-81.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$122Rp 2.2M
$920Rp 16.5M
-86.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$930Rp 16.6M
$4,495Rp 80.4M
-79.31%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$151Rp 2.7M
$2,803Rp 50.2M
-94.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,135Rp 20.3M
$3,751Rp 67.1M
-69.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$699Rp 12.5M
$3,040Rp 54.4M
-77.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pekanbaru
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$181Rp 3.2M
-
-
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: July 11, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $257 in Pekanbaru and $1,369 in Uluwatu, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $9.00 in Pekanbaru vs $40.00 in Uluwatu, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $247 vs $312 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 158% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $1,021 in Pekanbaru 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 Pekanbaru and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $257 in Pekanbaru versus $1,369 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 $9.00 versus $40.00 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 $681 per month in Pekanbaru versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali – a 158% 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 $681 in Pekanbaru versus $1,759 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 158% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.