Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarinda and BaliCost of Living Comparison Between Samarinda and Bali
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $711 per month in Samarinda vs $1,268 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,092 per month in Samarinda vs $2,311 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,474 per month in Samarinda vs $3,354 in Bali, rent included.
🙂Samarinda is about 44% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Samarinda and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Samarinda47% lower, Bali5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57Rp 27.8K
$2.96Rp 52.4K
-46.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.17Rp 215.6K
$27.51Rp 487.3K
-55.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.76Rp 102.0K
$4.03Rp 71.4K
42.93%
Cappuccino
$1.72Rp 30.4K
$2.36Rp 41.8K
-27.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53Rp 9,357
$1.15Rp 20.3K
-53.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,398
$0.63Rp 11.1K
-33.33%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.50Rp 44.3K
$2.49Rp 44.2K
0.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.48Rp 61.6K
$3.33Rp 59.0K
4.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.6K
$1.67Rp 29.6K
-26.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97Rp 17.1K
$2.36Rp 41.7K
-58.90%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.76Rp 13.5K
$1.10Rp 19.5K
-30.91%
Eggs
$1.60Rp 28.4K
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-31.33%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.19Rp 145.0K
$13.84Rp 245.1K
-40.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.00Rp 70.8K
$4.00Rp 70.8K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.17Rp 197.9K
$11.22Rp 198.7K
-0.45%
Apples(1kg)
$5.70Rp 101.0K
$3.60Rp 63.8K
58.33%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22Rp 21.5K
$1.47Rp 26.0K
-17.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.16Rp 20.6K
$2.64Rp 46.8K
-56.06%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.61Rp 28.6K
$2.21Rp 39.2K
-27.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.51Rp 26.8K
$1.90Rp 33.6K
-20.53%
Onion(1kg)
$1.97Rp 34.9K
$2.16Rp 38.3K
-8.80%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.95Rp 16.9K
$0.98Rp 17.3K
-3.06%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56Rp 9,899
$0.68Rp 12.0K
-17.65%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.27Rp 40.2K
$2.99Rp 52.9K
-24.08%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.72Rp 384.8K
$22.97Rp 406.8K
-5.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05Rp 36.4K
$2.67Rp 47.4K
-23.22%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19Rp 56.4K
$2.62Rp 46.4K
21.76%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,310
$0.29Rp 5,198
3.45%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.02Rp 177.5K
$8.06Rp 142.8K
24.32%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.94Rp 16.7K
$0.46Rp 8,089
104.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,077
$0.46Rp 8,171
-26.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.96Rp 52.5K
$6.27Rp 111.1K
-52.79%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.63Rp 11.2K
$0.82Rp 14.5K
-23.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2KRp 429.4M
$26.4KRp 467.5M
-8.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7KRp 491.5M
$31.6KRp 559.8M
-12.20%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.2Rp 1.2M
$79.8Rp 1.4M
-13.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.21Rp 74.6K
$3.97Rp 70.3K
6.05%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.53Rp 399.1K
$23.71Rp 420.0K
-4.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$22.64Rp 401.1K
$81.7Rp 1.4M
-72.29%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.98Rp 106.0K
$5.31Rp 94.1K
12.62%
Cinema Ticket
$3.09Rp 54.8K
$3.43Rp 60.7K
-9.91%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.5Rp 1.6M
$271Rp 4.8M
-65.81%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,495Rp 132.8M
$6,062Rp 107.4M
23.63%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.12Rp 728.4K
$51.3Rp 909.4K
-19.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.13Rp 533.8K
$36.50Rp 646.7K
-17.45%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.4Rp 1.2M
$83.0Rp 1.5M
-18.82%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.1Rp 1.3M
$74.1Rp 1.3M
-1.35%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$875Rp 15.5M
-70.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$576Rp 10.2M
-72.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$577Rp 10.2M
$2,911Rp 51.6M
-80.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$337Rp 6.0M
$1,806Rp 32.0M
-81.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,177Rp 20.9M
$2,426Rp 43.0M
-51.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$645Rp 11.4M
$2,032Rp 36.0M
-68.23%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$331Rp 5.9M
$227Rp 4.0M
45.94%
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 Samarinda: June 16, 2026
Last update for Bali: June 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $257 in Samarinda versus $875 in Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 46% higher in Samarinda, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Samarinda versus $28.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $237 vs $284 – making Samarinda the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Samarinda vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Samarinda or Bali?
Bali costs about 78% more than Samarinda, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. 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 Samarinda vs Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,067 per month in Samarinda and $1,901 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Samarinda or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samarinda, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Samarinda vs Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Samarinda and $28.00 in Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Samarinda compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $711 in Samarinda and $1,268 in Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $2,000/month in Samarinda or Bali?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Samarinda, where all-in costs run around $711, than in Bali at $1,268. In Samarinda it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Samarinda or Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Samarinda costs $711 versus $1,268 in Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Samarinda compared to Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Samarinda or Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Samarinda. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.