Cost of Living Comparison Between Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $616 in Sibolga versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $952 in Sibolga versus $1,663 in Denpasar, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,288 in Sibolga versus $2,365 in Denpasar, Bali.

Living in Sibolga costs roughly 36% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Sibolga 54% lower, Denpasar, Bali 28% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.51 Rp 26.0K
$2.36 Rp 40.6K
-36.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.24 Rp 210.3K
$21.50 Rp 369.5K
-43.07%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.40 Rp 58.5K
$3.29 Rp 56.6K
3.34%
Cappuccino
$1.74 Rp 29.8K
$1.90 Rp 32.6K
-8.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55 Rp 9,459
$0.88 Rp 15.1K
-37.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 Rp 4,826
$0.50 Rp 8,603
-44.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.06 Rp 52.5K
$2.00 Rp 34.4K
53.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 Rp 45.7K
$2.53 Rp 43.5K
5.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 Rp 20.9K
$1.45 Rp 25.0K
-15.86%
White Bread (500g)
$1.17 Rp 20.1K
$2.05 Rp 35.2K
-42.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.87 Rp 14.9K
$0.92 Rp 15.7K
-5.43%
Eggs
$1.54 Rp 26.5K
$1.89 Rp 32.5K
-18.52%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.27 Rp 142.1K
$11.86 Rp 203.9K
-30.27%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.25 Rp 38.6K
$3.40 Rp 58.4K
-33.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.16 Rp 157.4K
$9.82 Rp 168.8K
-6.72%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 Rp 40.8K
$2.98 Rp 51.2K
-20.13%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 Rp 24.9K
$1.27 Rp 21.8K
14.17%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 31.1K
$2.21 Rp 37.9K
-18.10%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 27.0K
$1.86 Rp 32.0K
-15.59%
Potato (1kg)
$0.70 Rp 12.1K
$1.55 Rp 26.6K
-54.84%
Onion (1kg)
$1.60 Rp 27.5K
$1.85 Rp 31.8K
-13.51%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.95 Rp 16.3K
$0.85 Rp 14.6K
11.76%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.36 Rp 6,101
$0.58 Rp 9,985
-37.93%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.78 Rp 30.6K
$2.63 Rp 45.1K
-32.32%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.99 Rp 343.5K
$18.93 Rp 325.3K
5.60%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.28 Rp 39.3K
$2.31 Rp 39.7K
-1.30%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.26 Rp 38.8K
$2.22 Rp 38.1K
1.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.42 Rp 7,216
$0.26 Rp 4,489
61.54%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.56 Rp 164.3K
$7.29 Rp 125.2K
31.14%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.57 Rp 9,833
$0.40 Rp 6,927
42.50%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.35 Rp 5,955
$0.42 Rp 7,172
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.95 Rp 50.8K
$5.61 Rp 96.5K
-47.42%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 Rp 17.7K
$0.72 Rp 12.3K
43.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.2K Rp 415.9M
$23.3K Rp 400.6M
3.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K Rp 479.0M
$29.4K Rp 505.4M
-5.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$26.84 Rp 461.2K
$72.6 Rp 1.2M
-63.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.23 Rp 72.7K
$3.65 Rp 62.8K
15.89%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.97 Rp 394.8K
$21.89 Rp 376.1K
4.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.36 Rp 401.5K
$68.1 Rp 1.2M
-65.69%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.02 Rp 103.5K
$4.62 Rp 79.3K
30.30%
Cinema Ticket
$3.05 Rp 52.4K
$2.83 Rp 48.7K
7.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$24.23 Rp 416.4K
$228 Rp 3.9M
-89.36%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,734 Rp 132.9M
$5,033 Rp 86.5M
53.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.29 Rp 262.7K
$46.85 Rp 805.1K
-67.36%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.08 Rp 310.7K
$32.32 Rp 555.5K
-44.06%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$65.9 Rp 1.1M
$75.9 Rp 1.3M
-13.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.2 Rp 1.3M
$67.6 Rp 1.2M
9.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$263 Rp 4.5M
$525 Rp 9.0M
-49.98%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 Rp 2.7M
$346 Rp 6.0M
-53.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$578 Rp 9.9M
$1,754 Rp 30.1M
-67.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$334 Rp 5.7M
$1,099 Rp 18.9M
-69.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,229 Rp 21.1M
$1,596 Rp 27.4M
-22.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$767 Rp 13.2M
$1,244 Rp 21.4M
-38.36%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$168 Rp 2.9M
$290 Rp 5.0M
-42.29%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%

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

Last update for Sibolga: April 21, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: April 19, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $263 in Sibolga and $525 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Denpasar, Bali pays 73% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $12 in Sibolga vs $22 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $202 vs $242 per month, with Sibolga cheaper across the board.

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
Sibolga vs Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali?
Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 56% in total monthly costs ($616 vs $961 including rent). Sibolga is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Denpasar, Bali earns 73% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $263 in Sibolga versus $525 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Sibolga or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $616 per month in Sibolga versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali – a 56% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Sibolga runs roughly 31% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $616 in Sibolga versus $961 in Denpasar, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Sibolga but tight or insufficient in Denpasar, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Sibolga the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Sibolga 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.
Is Sibolga or Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Sibolga or Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Sibolga gentler on the wallet – expenses run 56% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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