Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Puttalam and Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Puttalam: $62.8 a month against $1,187 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $13,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Puttalam, Sri Lanka
Bali, Indonesia
Puttalam
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
$62.8
/mo nomad
Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,187
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Puttalam and in Bali

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

A single person spends $63 per month in Puttalam vs $1,187 in Bali, rent included.

  • Puttalam $63
  • Bali $1,187

A couple spends around $109 per month in Puttalam vs $2,004 in Bali, rent included.

  • Puttalam $109
  • Bali $2,004

A family of three spends $156 per month in Puttalam vs $2,822 in Bali, rent included.

  • Puttalam $156
  • Bali $2,822

Puttalam is about 95% cheaper than Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Puttalam and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Puttalam 95% lower, Bali 12% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$2.80 Rp 50.6K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$28.85 Rp 520.8K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.76 Rp 86.0K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.23 Rp 40.3K
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.30 Rp 23.4K
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.56 Rp 10.2K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.23 Rp 40.3K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.55 Rp 64.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
-
$1.41 Rp 25.4K
-
White Bread (500g)
$0.49 LKR 162
$2.18 Rp 39.4K
-77.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.76 LKR 254
$1.05 Rp 18.9K
-27.62%
Eggs
$1.28 LKR 424
$1.92 Rp 34.7K
-33.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$14.84 Rp 267.9K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.67 LKR 1,221
$3.86 Rp 69.7K
-4.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.55 LKR 2,510
$10.69 Rp 192.9K
-29.37%
Apples (1kg)
-
$3.34 Rp 60.2K
-
Banana (1kg)
$0.77 LKR 255
$1.46 Rp 26.4K
-47.26%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.22 Rp 40.1K
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.80 Rp 32.6K
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.72 Rp 31.0K
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$2.23 Rp 40.2K
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.92 Rp 16.5K
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 LKR 116
$0.46 Rp 8,308
-23.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.27 LKR 2,418
$2.06 Rp 37.1K
252.91%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$20.38 Rp 367.8K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.16 Rp 39.1K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.85 Rp 51.4K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.25 Rp 4,531
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.68 Rp 156.7K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.44 Rp 7,956
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.43 Rp 7,766
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$5.38 Rp 97.2K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$0.85 Rp 15.3K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$23.7K Rp 428.5M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.9K Rp 592.9M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$76.7 Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.33 Rp 114.2K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.93 Rp 341.6K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$41.65 Rp 751.7K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$14.78 Rp 266.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.58 Rp 64.6K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$437 Rp 7.9M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$11.0K Rp 199.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$43.09 Rp 777.7K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$33.51 Rp 604.8K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$75.0 Rp 1.4M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$73.9 Rp 1.3M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$957 Rp 17.3M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$570 Rp 10.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,028 Rp 54.6M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,446 Rp 26.1M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,096 Rp 37.8M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$1,885 Rp 34.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Puttalam
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$215 Rp 3.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
13.78
-

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Puttalam: October 31, 2026

Last update for Bali: October 31, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Puttalam
–
Bali
$570
Groceries & Markets
Puttalam
–
Bali
$263
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Puttalam
–
Bali
$102
Clothing & Footwear
Puttalam
–
Bali
$101
Eating Out
Puttalam
–
Bali
$89
Sport & Entertainment
Puttalam
–
Bali
$49
Getting Around
Puttalam
–
Bali
$12
Good to know
🇱🇰 Puttalam
🇮🇩 Bali
🕒 Local time
14:15 2:15 PM
16:45 4:45 PM
2 h 30 min ahead of Puttalam
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
45,400
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to LKR – Sri Lankan Rupee Converter

Sri Lankan Rupee exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 333 LKR (1,000 LKR = 3.01 USD). 1 EUR = 373 LKR (1,000 LKR = 2.68 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 18,049 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.54 USD). 1 EUR = 20,271 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.93 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Puttalam Bali 4,330 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Puttalam
  • 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
Puttalam vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Puttalam or Bali?
Bali costs about 1789% more than Puttalam, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Puttalam and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $94 per month in Puttalam and $1,780 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Puttalam compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $63 in Puttalam and $1,187 in Bali. That makes Puttalam about 95% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Puttalam or in Bali?
Groceries cost about 319% more in Bali, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Puttalam or in Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Puttalam, where all-in costs run around $63, than in Bali at $1,187. In Puttalam it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Puttalam or Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $63 in Puttalam to $1,187 in Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Puttalam compared to Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Puttalam vs other spots: cost of living compared

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