Cost of Living Comparison Between Semarang and Uluwatu, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Semarang and Uluwatu, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

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
$1.45 Rp 25.5K
$4.21 Rp 74.1K
-65.56%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.54 Rp 185.6K
$42.81 Rp 753.8K
-75.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.14 Rp 55.3K
$6.67 Rp 117.4K
-52.92%
Cappuccino
$1.24 Rp 21.9K
$3.41 Rp 60.0K
-63.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49 Rp 8,635
$2.12 Rp 37.4K
-76.89%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.18 Rp 3,148
$0.97 Rp 17.0K
-81.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.75 Rp 30.8K
$3.58 Rp 63.1K
-51.12%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.43 Rp 60.3K
$5.20 Rp 91.5K
-34.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 Rp 19.8K
$1.63 Rp 28.7K
-31.29%
White Bread (500g)
$0.96 Rp 16.9K
$2.36 Rp 41.5K
-59.32%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.79 Rp 14.0K
$1.24 Rp 21.7K
-36.29%
Eggs
$1.38 Rp 24.3K
$2.22 Rp 39.0K
-37.84%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.66 Rp 99.6K
$18.57 Rp 327.0K
-69.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.36 Rp 41.6K
$4.05 Rp 71.3K
-41.73%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.16 Rp 143.6K
$12.67 Rp 223.0K
-35.60%
Apples (1kg)
$2.52 Rp 44.5K
$3.73 Rp 65.7K
-32.44%
Banana (1kg)
$1.53 Rp 27.0K
$1.70 Rp 30.0K
-10.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 31.9K
$2.48 Rp 43.6K
-27.02%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.56 Rp 27.5K
$2.14 Rp 37.7K
-27.10%
Potato (1kg)
$1.79 Rp 31.5K
$1.93 Rp 33.9K
-7.25%
Onion (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 39.3K
$2.47 Rp 43.4K
-9.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.83 Rp 14.6K
$1.05 Rp 18.5K
-20.95%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 Rp 7,375
$0.57 Rp 10.1K
-26.32%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.26 Rp 39.8K
$2.39 Rp 42.0K
-5.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.17 Rp 249.5K
$24.41 Rp 429.8K
-41.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.35 Rp 41.4K
$2.49 Rp 43.8K
-5.62%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.70 Rp 47.5K
$3.24 Rp 57.0K
-16.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 Rp 4,246
$0.32 Rp 5,633
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$14.32 Rp 252.2K
$10.63 Rp 187.1K
34.71%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.89 Rp 15.6K
$0.56 Rp 9,878
58.93%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.29 Rp 5,129
$0.60 Rp 10.6K
-51.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$2.66 Rp 46.8K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.0K
$1.02 Rp 17.9K
-21.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.0K Rp 405.1M
$30.6K Rp 539.2M
-24.88%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1K Rp 547.6M
$39.7K Rp 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)
$68.1 Rp 1.2M
$90.6 Rp 1.6M
-24.90%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.69 Rp 47.3K
$7.30 Rp 128.5K
-63.15%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.77 Rp 365.6K
$20.52 Rp 361.2K
1.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.00 Rp 369.8K
$65.3 Rp 1.2M
-67.85%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.76 Rp 83.8K
$21.72 Rp 382.3K
-78.08%
Cinema Ticket
$2.22 Rp 39.1K
$5.22 Rp 92.0K
-57.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$40.97 Rp 721.3K
$562 Rp 9.9M
-92.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,231 Rp 39.3M
$6,610 Rp 116.4M
-66.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$28.65 Rp 504.3K
$50.7 Rp 893.2K
-43.52%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.45 Rp 518.4K
$38.88 Rp 684.5K
-24.25%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$58.8 Rp 1.0M
$89.8 Rp 1.6M
-34.55%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.84 Rp 701.5K
$87.1 Rp 1.5M
-54.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$229 Rp 4.0M
$1,502 Rp 26.4M
-84.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$143 Rp 2.5M
$930 Rp 16.4M
-84.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$496 Rp 8.7M
$4,756 Rp 83.7M
-89.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$394 Rp 6.9M
$2,318 Rp 40.8M
-83.02%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,178 Rp 20.7M
$3,745 Rp 65.9M
-68.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$557 Rp 9.8M
$3,065 Rp 54.0M
-81.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Semarang
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$196 Rp 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.

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