🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Pontianak versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,032 in Pontianak versus $1,642 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,403 in Pontianak versus $2,334 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Living in Pontianak costs roughly 30% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Pontianak51% lower, Denpasar, Bali29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.48Rp 26.7K
$2.35Rp 42.3K
-37.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.25Rp 220.1K
$21.69Rp 389.8K
-43.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.32Rp 59.6K
$3.23Rp 58.1K
2.79%
Cappuccino
$1.70Rp 30.6K
$1.90Rp 34.2K
-10.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51Rp 9,225
$0.94Rp 16.9K
-45.74%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,084
$0.47Rp 8,360
-40.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.01Rp 54.0K
$1.99Rp 35.7K
51.26%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48Rp 44.5K
$2.56Rp 45.9K
-3.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17Rp 21.0K
$1.46Rp 26.2K
-19.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.13Rp 20.4K
$1.99Rp 35.7K
-43.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.88Rp 15.8K
$0.98Rp 17.6K
-10.20%
Eggs
$1.54Rp 27.7K
$1.98Rp 35.6K
-22.22%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.05Rp 144.7K
$11.75Rp 211.0K
-31.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.21Rp 57.7K
$3.38Rp 60.7K
-5.03%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.00Rp 143.8K
$9.83Rp 176.5K
-18.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.38Rp 42.8K
$3.00Rp 53.9K
-20.67%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$1.30Rp 23.3K
11.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.81Rp 32.6K
$2.28Rp 40.9K
-20.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.54Rp 27.7K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-14.92%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.8K
$1.57Rp 28.2K
-15.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97Rp 35.4K
$1.78Rp 31.9K
10.67%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97Rp 17.4K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
21.25%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,401
$0.63Rp 11.3K
-34.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.87Rp 33.6K
$2.59Rp 46.5K
-27.80%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.18Rp 380.5K
$18.61Rp 334.4K
13.81%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08Rp 37.4K
$2.24Rp 40.3K
-7.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23Rp 57.9K
$2.32Rp 41.6K
39.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,781
$0.24Rp 4,300
33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.97Rp 179.0K
$7.50Rp 134.8K
32.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.56Rp 10.1K
$0.41Rp 7,347
36.59%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,738
$0.38Rp 6,855
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88Rp 51.8K
$5.61Rp 100.8K
-48.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86Rp 15.4K
$0.77Rp 13.8K
11.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0KRp 448.3M
$23.6KRp 423.1M
5.94%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KRp 487.2M
$29.3KRp 525.6M
-7.29%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.6Rp 1.3M
$72.0Rp 1.3M
-3.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.36Rp 78.3K
$3.69Rp 66.3K
18.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.01Rp 413.5K
$21.33Rp 383.2K
7.88%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.69Rp 407.6K
$68.8Rp 1.2M
-67.03%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.05Rp 108.7K
$4.53Rp 81.4K
33.55%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00Rp 53.9K
$2.89Rp 51.9K
3.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.9Rp 1.7M
$232Rp 4.2M
-59.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,731Rp 138.9M
$5,015Rp 90.1M
54.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.79Rp 750.8K
$46.98Rp 844.0K
-11.05%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.69Rp 551.3K
$32.75Rp 588.4K
-6.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.7Rp 1.2M
$74.5Rp 1.3M
-10.49%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.7Rp 1.3M
$67.3Rp 1.2M
9.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259Rp 4.7M
$515Rp 9.3M
-49.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$159Rp 2.9M
$349Rp 6.3M
-54.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$595Rp 10.7M
$1,780Rp 32.0M
-66.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$334Rp 6.0M
$1,083Rp 19.5M
-69.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,207Rp 21.7M
$1,453Rp 26.1M
-16.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$734Rp 13.2M
$1,186Rp 21.3M
-38.15%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pontianak
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$335Rp 6.0M
$325Rp 5.8M
3.31%
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 Pontianak: June 7, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $259 in Pontianak and $515 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Pontianak pays 3% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $12.00 in Pontianak vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $208 vs $241 per month, with Pontianak 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
Pontianak vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Pontianak and Denpasar, Bali?
Pontianak and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 44% in total monthly costs ($662 vs $950 including rent). Pontianak is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Pontianak or Denpasar, Bali?
Pontianak pays 3% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Pontianak and Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $259 in Pontianak versus $515 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Pontianak or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $662 per month in Pontianak versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali – a 44% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Pontianak and Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Pontianak 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 $1,500 per month?
At $662 in Pontianak versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pontianak but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Pontianak the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Pontianak 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 Pontianak or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Pontianak 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: Pontianak or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Pontianak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 44% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.