🙂A single person spends $581 per month in Semarang vs $1,727 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $928 per month in Semarang vs $2,932 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,274 per month in Semarang vs $4,137 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Semarang is about 66% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Semarang sits 58% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 25% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.45Rp 25.5K
$4.21Rp 74.1K
-65.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.54Rp 185.6K
$42.81Rp 753.8K
-75.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 55.3K
$6.67Rp 117.4K
-52.92%
Cappuccino
$1.24Rp 21.9K
$3.41Rp 60.0K
-63.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,635
$2.12Rp 37.4K
-76.89%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18Rp 3,148
$0.97Rp 17.0K
-81.44%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75Rp 30.8K
$3.58Rp 63.1K
-51.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43Rp 60.3K
$5.20Rp 91.5K
-34.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.12Rp 19.8K
$1.63Rp 28.7K
-31.29%
White Bread(500g)
$0.96Rp 16.9K
$2.36Rp 41.5K
-59.32%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.79Rp 14.0K
$1.24Rp 21.7K
-36.29%
Eggs
$1.38Rp 24.3K
$2.22Rp 39.0K
-37.84%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.66Rp 99.6K
$18.57Rp 327.0K
-69.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.36Rp 41.6K
$4.05Rp 71.3K
-41.73%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.16Rp 143.6K
$12.67Rp 223.0K
-35.60%
Apples(1kg)
$2.52Rp 44.5K
$3.73Rp 65.7K
-32.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.53Rp 27.0K
$1.70Rp 30.0K
-10.00%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.81Rp 31.9K
$2.48Rp 43.6K
-27.02%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.5K
$2.14Rp 37.7K
-27.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.79Rp 31.5K
$1.93Rp 33.9K
-7.25%
Onion(1kg)
$2.23Rp 39.3K
$2.47Rp 43.4K
-9.72%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83Rp 14.6K
$1.05Rp 18.5K
-20.95%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42Rp 7,375
$0.57Rp 10.1K
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26Rp 39.8K
$2.39Rp 42.0K
-5.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.17Rp 249.5K
$24.41Rp 429.8K
-41.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35Rp 41.4K
$2.49Rp 43.8K
-5.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70Rp 47.5K
$3.24Rp 57.0K
-16.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.24Rp 4,246
$0.32Rp 5,633
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.32Rp 252.2K
$10.63Rp 187.1K
34.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89Rp 15.6K
$0.56Rp 9,878
58.93%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,129
$0.60Rp 10.6K
-51.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$2.66Rp 46.8K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.0K
$1.02Rp 17.9K
-21.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0KRp 405.1M
$30.6KRp 539.2M
-24.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1KRp 547.6M
$39.7KRp 699.2M
-21.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.1Rp 1.2M
$90.6Rp 1.6M
-24.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.69Rp 47.3K
$7.30Rp 128.5K
-63.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.77Rp 365.6K
$20.52Rp 361.2K
1.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.00Rp 369.8K
$65.3Rp 1.2M
-67.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.76Rp 83.8K
$21.72Rp 382.3K
-78.08%
Cinema Ticket
$2.22Rp 39.1K
$5.22Rp 92.0K
-57.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$40.97Rp 721.3K
$562Rp 9.9M
-92.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,231Rp 39.3M
$6,610Rp 116.4M
-66.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.65Rp 504.3K
$50.7Rp 893.2K
-43.52%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.45Rp 518.4K
$38.88Rp 684.5K
-24.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$58.8Rp 1.0M
$89.8Rp 1.6M
-34.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.84Rp 701.5K
$87.1Rp 1.5M
-54.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$229Rp 4.0M
$1,502Rp 26.4M
-84.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$143Rp 2.5M
$930Rp 16.4M
-84.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$496Rp 8.7M
$4,756Rp 83.7M
-89.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$394Rp 6.9M
$2,318Rp 40.8M
-83.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,178Rp 20.7M
$3,745Rp 65.9M
-68.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$557Rp 9.8M
$3,065Rp 54.0M
-81.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$196Rp 3.5M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.83
13.78
-43.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Semarang: September 6, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: September 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $229 in Semarang versus $1,502 in Uluwatu, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Semarang versus $43.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $183 vs $307 – making Semarang 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
Semarang vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Uluwatu, Bali cheaper than Semarang?
Yes – Uluwatu, Bali is pricier by about 197%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $872 per month in Semarang and $2,590 in Uluwatu, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Semarang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Semarang or in Uluwatu, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11.00 in Semarang and $43.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Semarang and in Uluwatu, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $581 in Semarang and $1,727 in Uluwatu, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Semarang or in Uluwatu, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Semarang, where all-in costs run around $581, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,727. In Semarang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Uluwatu, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Semarang or Uluwatu, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Semarang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Semarang or Uluwatu, 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Semarang. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Uluwatu, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.