Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarinda and BaliCost of Living Comparison Between Samarinda and Bali
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂A single person spends $693 per month in Samarinda vs $1,278 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,065 per month in Samarinda vs $2,318 in Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,438 per month in Samarinda vs $3,357 in Bali, rent included.
🙂Samarinda is about 46% cheaper than Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both Samarinda and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Samarinda48% lower, Bali5% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57Rp 27.1K
$2.88Rp 49.7K
-45.49%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.53Rp 216.3K
$27.30Rp 471.5K
-54.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.74Rp 99.1K
$4.17Rp 72.0K
37.65%
Cappuccino
$1.73Rp 29.9K
$2.38Rp 41.0K
-27.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53Rp 9,222
$1.10Rp 19.0K
-51.82%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,568
$0.61Rp 10.6K
-37.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.49Rp 43.0K
$2.48Rp 42.8K
0.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51Rp 60.6K
$3.17Rp 54.7K
10.73%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.1K
$1.67Rp 28.8K
-26.95%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99Rp 17.1K
$2.41Rp 41.7K
-58.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.79Rp 13.6K
$1.14Rp 19.7K
-30.70%
Eggs
$1.53Rp 26.4K
$2.26Rp 39.1K
-32.30%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.04Rp 138.9K
$13.83Rp 238.8K
-41.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.98Rp 68.7K
$4.14Rp 71.4K
-3.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79Rp 186.4K
$11.53Rp 199.0K
-6.42%
Apples(1kg)
$5.64Rp 97.4K
$3.47Rp 59.9K
62.54%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22Rp 21.0K
$1.48Rp 25.6K
-17.57%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20Rp 20.8K
$2.68Rp 46.3K
-55.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 27.1K
$2.11Rp 36.5K
-25.59%
Potato(1kg)
$1.44Rp 24.9K
$1.91Rp 33.0K
-24.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98Rp 34.1K
$2.12Rp 36.5K
-6.60%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.95Rp 16.4K
$1.01Rp 17.4K
-5.94%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61Rp 10.5K
$0.69Rp 11.9K
-11.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18Rp 37.6K
$3.15Rp 54.4K
-30.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.90Rp 378.1K
$22.59Rp 390.0K
-3.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05Rp 35.4K
$2.64Rp 45.5K
-22.35%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12Rp 53.8K
$2.59Rp 44.8K
20.46%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,554
$0.29Rp 5,053
10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.65Rp 166.6K
$8.17Rp 141.0K
18.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89Rp 15.3K
$0.48Rp 8,304
85.42%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,028
$0.43Rp 7,398
-18.60%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.84Rp 49.0K
$6.25Rp 108.0K
-54.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.59Rp 10.2K
$0.87Rp 15.0K
-32.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 420.3M
$26.0KRp 448.2M
-6.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KRp 474.2M
$32.8KRp 565.6M
-16.17%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.3Rp 1.2M
$79.0Rp 1.4M
-12.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.18Rp 72.1K
$4.05Rp 69.9K
3.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.79Rp 393.5K
$24.32Rp 420.0K
-6.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.00Rp 397.2K
$82.5Rp 1.4M
-72.11%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.97Rp 103.2K
$5.47Rp 94.5K
9.14%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 53.7K
$3.47Rp 59.9K
-10.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.0Rp 1.6M
$269Rp 4.6M
-65.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,437Rp 128.4M
$5,944Rp 102.6M
25.12%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.08Rp 726.5K
$51.7Rp 893.2K
-18.65%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.65Rp 529.2K
$36.29Rp 626.6K
-15.54%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.5Rp 1.1M
$84.4Rp 1.5M
-21.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.3Rp 1.3M
$74.5Rp 1.3M
-0.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.5M
$856Rp 14.8M
-69.44%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$573Rp 9.9M
-72.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584Rp 10.1M
$2,908Rp 50.2M
-79.92%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$329Rp 5.7M
$1,824Rp 31.5M
-81.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,140Rp 19.7M
$2,664Rp 46.0M
-57.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$877Rp 15.1M
$2,077Rp 35.9M
-57.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarinda
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$343Rp 5.9M
$219Rp 3.8M
56.19%
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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Bali: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $262 in Samarinda versus $856 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 56% 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 $13.00 in Samarinda versus $27.00 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 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 85% 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 $1,039 per month in Samarinda and $1,917 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 $13.00 in Samarinda and $27.00 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 $693 in Samarinda and $1,278 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 $693, than in Bali at $1,278. 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 $693 versus $1,278 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.