🙂A single person spends $644 per month in Semarang vs $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,036 per month in Semarang vs $3,176 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,429 per month in Semarang vs $4,593 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Semarang is about 63% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Semarang sits 52% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 32% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.79Rp 32.0K
$4.27Rp 76.5K
-58.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.50Rp 224.2K
$39.90Rp 715.8K
-68.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.64Rp 65.3K
$6.16Rp 110.4K
-40.91%
Cappuccino
$1.46Rp 26.1K
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-55.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48Rp 8,687
$1.62Rp 29.1K
-70.37%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,820
$0.89Rp 15.9K
-69.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01Rp 36.1K
$3.53Rp 63.4K
-43.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89Rp 51.8K
$4.76Rp 85.3K
-39.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.07Rp 19.2K
$1.87Rp 33.6K
-42.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.00Rp 17.9K
$2.63Rp 47.2K
-61.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86Rp 15.3K
$1.27Rp 22.7K
-32.28%
Eggs
$1.59Rp 28.5K
$2.57Rp 46.1K
-38.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.13Rp 109.9K
$15.13Rp 271.4K
-59.48%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.82Rp 50.6K
$4.37Rp 78.4K
-35.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.48Rp 152.1K
$12.43Rp 222.9K
-31.78%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60Rp 46.6K
$3.96Rp 71.1K
-34.34%
Banana(1kg)
$1.60Rp 28.6K
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-1.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.95Rp 35.1K
$2.90Rp 52.0K
-32.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.1K
$2.35Rp 42.1K
-33.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.23Rp 22.1K
$2.00Rp 35.9K
-38.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.86Rp 33.3K
$2.30Rp 41.3K
-19.13%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.87Rp 15.6K
$1.08Rp 19.4K
-19.44%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.40Rp 7,256
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-50.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.29Rp 41.1K
$3.28Rp 58.9K
-30.18%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.53Rp 242.6K
$24.45Rp 438.6K
-44.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.56Rp 45.9K
$2.89Rp 51.9K
-11.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83Rp 50.7K
$2.87Rp 51.5K
-1.39%
🚌 Getting Around
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.26Rp 4,702
$0.36Rp 6,506
-27.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.96Rp 232.5K
$10.28Rp 184.5K
26.07%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.87Rp 15.7K
$0.57Rp 10.2K
52.63%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,562
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-45.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.87Rp 51.4K
$7.63Rp 136.8K
-62.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.4K
$1.06Rp 19.0K
-24.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.8KRp 444.6M
$32.2KRp 577.0M
-22.95%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$30.4KRp 545.5M
$40.3KRp 722.3M
-24.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$92.7Rp 1.7M
$88.2Rp 1.6M
5.07%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.75Rp 49.2K
$4.47Rp 80.2K
-38.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.45Rp 420.7K
$26.05Rp 467.4K
-9.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.69Rp 424.9K
$115Rp 2.1M
-79.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.24Rp 93.9K
$7.75Rp 139.1K
-32.39%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05Rp 54.7K
$4.70Rp 84.3K
-35.11%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$44.58Rp 799.6K
$339Rp 6.1M
-86.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,388Rp 42.8M
$7,595Rp 136.3M
-68.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.26Rp 650.5K
$60.8Rp 1.1M
-40.39%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$32.31Rp 579.6K
$42.63Rp 764.8K
-24.21%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$67.1Rp 1.2M
$97.9Rp 1.8M
-31.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$43.45Rp 779.4K
$86.1Rp 1.5M
-49.51%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255Rp 4.6M
$1,369Rp 24.6M
-81.41%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152Rp 2.7M
$920Rp 16.5M
-83.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$544Rp 9.8M
$4,495Rp 80.6M
-87.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$419Rp 7.5M
$2,803Rp 50.3M
-85.07%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,179Rp 21.2M
$3,751Rp 67.3M
-68.56%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$545Rp 9.8M
$3,040Rp 54.5M
-82.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$189Rp 3.4M
-
-
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: July 12, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $255 in Semarang versus $1,369 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 $40.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $188 vs $312 – 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 173%, 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 $966 per month in Semarang and $2,638 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 $12.00 in Semarang and $40.00 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 $644 in Semarang and $1,759 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 $644, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,759. 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.