🙂A single person spends $652 per month in Semarang vs $1,700 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,022 per month in Semarang vs $3,132 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,391 per month in Semarang vs $4,565 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Semarang is about 62% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Semarang sits 51% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 27% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.80Rp 32.2K
$4.14Rp 74.0K
-56.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.32Rp 220.0K
$38.93Rp 695.2K
-68.35%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.69Rp 65.8K
$5.99Rp 106.9K
-38.40%
Cappuccino
$1.50Rp 26.8K
$3.39Rp 60.6K
-55.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52Rp 9,317
$1.61Rp 28.8K
-67.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,815
$0.88Rp 15.8K
-69.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.99Rp 35.5K
$3.53Rp 63.1K
-43.63%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01Rp 53.7K
$4.59Rp 81.9K
-34.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.02Rp 18.3K
$1.83Rp 32.7K
-44.26%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03Rp 18.4K
$2.66Rp 47.5K
-61.28%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.3K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-33.88%
Eggs
$1.52Rp 27.2K
$2.53Rp 45.2K
-39.92%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.11Rp 109.1K
$15.46Rp 276.0K
-60.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.93Rp 52.4K
$4.56Rp 81.4K
-35.75%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.73Rp 155.9K
$12.51Rp 223.4K
-30.22%
Apples(1kg)
$2.59Rp 46.2K
$3.90Rp 69.6K
-33.59%
Banana(1kg)
$1.59Rp 28.4K
$1.63Rp 29.1K
-2.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.6K
$2.91Rp 52.0K
-35.40%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.58Rp 28.2K
$2.38Rp 42.4K
-33.61%
Potato(1kg)
$1.30Rp 23.2K
$2.06Rp 36.8K
-36.89%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.6K
$2.37Rp 42.4K
-20.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91Rp 16.2K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
-15.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,272
$0.74Rp 13.3K
-44.59%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26Rp 40.3K
$3.28Rp 58.6K
-31.10%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.10Rp 251.8K
$25.10Rp 448.3K
-43.82%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.58Rp 46.1K
$3.00Rp 53.6K
-14.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88Rp 51.3K
$2.90Rp 51.8K
-0.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,643
$0.34Rp 6,057
-23.53%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$13.11Rp 234.0K
$10.40Rp 185.7K
26.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.93Rp 16.7K
$0.60Rp 10.8K
55.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,613
$0.54Rp 9,583
-42.59%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88Rp 51.4K
$7.56Rp 135.0K
-61.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86Rp 15.4K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-16.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRp 438.2M
$32.2KRp 574.5M
-23.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2KRp 556.5M
$39.4KRp 703.6M
-20.92%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$94.0Rp 1.7M
$87.6Rp 1.6M
7.28%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.74Rp 48.9K
$4.34Rp 77.5K
-36.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.89Rp 426.6K
$26.50Rp 473.2K
-9.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.84Rp 425.7K
$112Rp 2.0M
-78.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.06Rp 90.3K
$7.62Rp 136.1K
-33.60%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.4K
$4.77Rp 85.2K
-36.06%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$44.50Rp 794.6K
$347Rp 6.2M
-87.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,399Rp 42.8M
$7,491Rp 133.8M
-67.98%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.42Rp 668.3K
$60.3Rp 1.1M
-37.91%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.67Rp 583.4K
$42.64Rp 761.4K
-23.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.9Rp 1.2M
$97.5Rp 1.7M
-31.38%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.76Rp 781.5K
$85.2Rp 1.5M
-48.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255Rp 4.6M
$1,335Rp 23.8M
-80.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$154Rp 2.7M
$921Rp 16.5M
-83.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$536Rp 9.6M
$4,567Rp 81.6M
-88.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$413Rp 7.4M
$2,786Rp 49.8M
-85.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,187Rp 21.2M
$3,712Rp 66.3M
-68.02%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$564Rp 10.1M
$3,139Rp 56.1M
-82.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$184Rp 3.3M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.83
13.28
-41.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Semarang: May 30, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: May 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $255 in Semarang versus $1,335 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 $12.00 in Semarang versus $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $315 – 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 161%, 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 $978 per month in Semarang and $2,550 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 Uluwatu, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Semarang and $39.00 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 vs Uluwatu, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $652 in Semarang and $1,700 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 Semarang or Uluwatu, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Semarang, where all-in costs run around $652, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,700. 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.