Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Samarinda and Denpasar, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Samarinda: $652 a month against $905 in Denpasar, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $3,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Samarinda, Indonesia
Denpasar, Bali, Indonesia
Samarinda
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$652
/mo nomad
Denpasar, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$905
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Samarinda and in Denpasar, Bali

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $652 in Samarinda versus $905 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Samarinda $652
  • Denpasar, Bali $905

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,055 in Samarinda versus $1,497 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Samarinda $1,055
  • Denpasar, Bali $1,497

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,457 in Samarinda versus $2,089 in Denpasar, Bali.

  • Samarinda $1,457
  • Denpasar, Bali $2,089

Living in Samarinda costs roughly 28% less than in Denpasar, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both cities sit below the global median: Samarinda 52% lower, Denpasar, Bali 34% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.63 Rp 29.5K
$2.23 Rp 40.5K
-26.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.90 Rp 251.8K
$23.40 Rp 424.0K
-40.60%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.33 Rp 60.3K
$3.84 Rp 69.6K
-13.28%
Cappuccino
$1.45 Rp 26.3K
$1.76 Rp 31.8K
-17.61%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.45 Rp 8,236
$1.16 Rp 21.0K
-61.21%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24 Rp 4,363
$0.54 Rp 9,749
-55.56%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.17 Rp 39.3K
$1.80 Rp 32.6K
20.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.50 Rp 63.4K
$2.84 Rp 51.5K
23.24%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 Rp 19.2K
$1.22 Rp 22.1K
-13.11%
White Bread (500g)
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
$1.78 Rp 32.2K
-51.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.64 Rp 11.7K
$0.98 Rp 17.8K
-34.69%
Eggs
$1.37 Rp 24.8K
$1.72 Rp 31.2K
-20.35%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.12 Rp 129.0K
$14.45 Rp 261.9K
-50.73%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.54 Rp 64.2K
$3.22 Rp 58.3K
9.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.03 Rp 181.7K
$9.52 Rp 172.4K
5.36%
Apples (1kg)
$4.99 Rp 90.4K
$2.92 Rp 52.9K
70.89%
Banana (1kg)
$1.09 Rp 19.7K
$1.25 Rp 22.6K
-12.80%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.07 Rp 19.5K
$1.88 Rp 34.0K
-43.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.41 Rp 25.6K
$1.59 Rp 28.8K
-11.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.29 Rp 23.3K
$1.49 Rp 27.1K
-13.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 32.8K
$1.87 Rp 34.0K
-3.21%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$0.85 Rp 15.3K
-4.71%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 Rp 9,216
$0.39 Rp 7,080
30.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.07 Rp 37.5K
$1.81 Rp 32.8K
14.36%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.12 Rp 382.6K
$17.97 Rp 325.7K
17.53%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.96 Rp 35.4K
$1.91 Rp 34.7K
2.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92 Rp 52.9K
$2.44 Rp 44.3K
19.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.21 Rp 3,777
$0.23 Rp 4,155
-8.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.71 Rp 212.2K
$7.97 Rp 144.5K
46.93%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.50 Rp 8,997
$0.42 Rp 7,612
19.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.33 Rp 5,997
$0.43 Rp 7,737
-23.26%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.80 Rp 50.8K
$3.07 Rp 55.7K
-8.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$0.75 Rp 13.6K
8.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.3K Rp 404.0M
$21.6K Rp 391.2M
3.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K Rp 571.1M
$29.5K Rp 535.0M
6.76%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.1 Rp 1.1M
$73.6 Rp 1.3M
-14.31%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.84 Rp 69.6K
$5.88 Rp 106.5K
-34.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.56 Rp 336.2K
$16.22 Rp 293.9K
14.43%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.49 Rp 335.1K
$35.04 Rp 634.9K
-47.23%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.04 Rp 127.5K
$12.85 Rp 232.9K
-45.21%
Cinema Ticket
$2.73 Rp 49.5K
$3.03 Rp 54.8K
-9.90%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
$378 Rp 6.8M
-73.90%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,897 Rp 161.2M
$4,463 Rp 80.9M
99.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$40.26 Rp 729.6K
$39.59 Rp 717.4K
1.69%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.22 Rp 493.3K
$29.73 Rp 538.6K
-8.44%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$70.8 Rp 1.3M
$67.0 Rp 1.2M
5.59%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.6 Rp 1.2M
$66.8 Rp 1.2M
-3.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$210 Rp 3.8M
$591 Rp 10.7M
-64.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$161 Rp 2.9M
$360 Rp 6.5M
-55.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$527 Rp 9.6M
$1,857 Rp 33.7M
-71.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$420 Rp 7.6M
$889 Rp 16.1M
-52.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,231 Rp 22.3M
$1,448 Rp 26.2M
-14.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$819 Rp 14.8M
$1,176 Rp 21.3M
-30.32%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarinda
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$327 Rp 5.9M
$279 Rp 5.1M
17.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.46
13.78
-31.35%

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

Last update for Samarinda: October 26, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: October 26, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Samarinda
$214
Denpasar, Bali
$233 8.9% $19
Accommodation & Living
Samarinda
$161
Denpasar, Bali
$360 123% $199
Clothing & Footwear
Samarinda
$91
Denpasar, Bali
$91 0.1% $0.1
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarinda
$85
Denpasar, Bali
$96 12% $10
Eating Out
Samarinda
$61
Denpasar, Bali
$72 17.7% $11
Sport & Entertainment
Samarinda
$24
Denpasar, Bali
$41 71.5% $17
Getting Around
Samarinda
$15
Denpasar, Bali
$11 22.1% $3.2

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $210 in Samarinda and $591 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Samarinda pays 17% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $14 in Samarinda vs $23 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $214 vs $233 per month, with Samarinda cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Samarinda
🇮🇩 Denpasar, Bali
🕒 Local time
04:45 4:45 AM
04:45 4:45 AM
Same time as Samarinda
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
726,223
788,445
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 1, 2026: 1 USD = 18,120 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.52 USD). 1 EUR = 20,232 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Samarinda Denpasar, Bali 930 km ≈ 1 h 45 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Samarinda
  • Denpasar, 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
Samarinda vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Samarinda and in Denpasar, Bali?
Total monthly costs including rent come to $652 in Samarinda and $905 in Denpasar, Bali, so Samarinda is about 28% cheaper – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Samarinda or Denpasar, Bali?
Average pay runs 17% higher in Samarinda, 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 Samarinda and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $210 in Samarinda versus $591 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Samarinda or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you’ll spend $652 per month in Samarinda versus $905 in Denpasar, Bali – Samarinda is about 28% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
How do commuting costs compare in Samarinda and in Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 32% less than in Samarinda. The price difference matters if you commute daily and watch your budget.
How far does $1,200 go in Samarinda compared to Denpasar, Bali?
Either city works on $1,200 a month, though Samarinda gives you more room to save. At this income level, the choice is more about lifestyle than financial pressure.
How does quality of life compare between Samarinda 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.

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