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: $591 in Sibolga versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $944 in Sibolga versus $1,681 in Denpasar, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,296 in Sibolga versus $2,404 in Denpasar, Bali.

Living in Sibolga costs roughly 38% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Both cities sit below the global median: Sibolga 56% lower, Denpasar, Bali 28% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.55 Rp 28.1K
$2.41 Rp 43.5K
-35.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.22 Rp 221.0K
$22.01 Rp 398.0K
-44.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.48 Rp 62.8K
$3.25 Rp 58.8K
7.08%
Cappuccino
$1.67 Rp 30.2K
$1.80 Rp 32.5K
-7.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 Rp 9,310
$0.87 Rp 15.8K
-41.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 Rp 5,116
$0.47 Rp 8,413
-40.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.11 Rp 56.2K
$1.95 Rp 35.3K
59.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65 Rp 48.0K
$2.60 Rp 47.1K
1.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.22 Rp 22.1K
$1.44 Rp 26.1K
-15.28%
White Bread (500g)
$1.18 Rp 21.4K
$2.03 Rp 36.7K
-41.87%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.93 Rp 16.7K
$0.91 Rp 16.5K
2.20%
Eggs
$1.59 Rp 28.7K
$1.97 Rp 35.5K
-19.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.33 Rp 150.5K
$11.81 Rp 213.5K
-29.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.27 Rp 41.1K
$3.42 Rp 61.8K
-33.63%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.10 Rp 164.5K
$9.84 Rp 177.9K
-7.52%
Apples (1kg)
$2.30 Rp 41.5K
$3.09 Rp 55.9K
-25.57%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 Rp 27.3K
$1.31 Rp 23.7K
15.27%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 Rp 34.2K
$2.21 Rp 39.9K
-14.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
$1.90 Rp 34.3K
-21.58%
Potato (1kg)
$0.71 Rp 12.9K
$1.54 Rp 27.8K
-53.90%
Onion (1kg)
$1.53 Rp 27.6K
$1.87 Rp 33.9K
-18.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.91 Rp 16.4K
$0.82 Rp 14.8K
10.98%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35 Rp 6,344
$0.59 Rp 10.7K
-40.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.73 Rp 31.2K
$2.63 Rp 47.5K
-34.22%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 419.3K
$18.57 Rp 335.9K
24.88%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.31 Rp 41.8K
$2.27 Rp 41.0K
1.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33 Rp 42.1K
$2.23 Rp 40.3K
4.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.41 Rp 7,393
$0.26 Rp 4,728
57.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.68 Rp 175.0K
$7.54 Rp 136.3K
28.38%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 Rp 9,606
$0.44 Rp 7,960
20.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 Rp 6,764
$0.42 Rp 7,509
-11.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.86 Rp 51.8K
$5.66 Rp 102.4K
-49.47%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.06 Rp 19.2K
$0.72 Rp 13.1K
47.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7K Rp 446.1M
$23.9K Rp 432.6M
3.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K Rp 492.8M
$28.4K Rp 514.4M
-4.21%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$26.79 Rp 484.5K
$71.0 Rp 1.3M
-62.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22 Rp 76.3K
$3.55 Rp 64.3K
18.87%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.81 Rp 412.5K
$21.30 Rp 385.2K
7.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$23.00 Rp 415.9K
$67.6 Rp 1.2M
-65.99%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.08 Rp 110.0K
$4.47 Rp 80.9K
36.02%
Cinema Ticket
$3.09 Rp 55.9K
$2.79 Rp 50.5K
10.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$24.11 Rp 436.0K
$234 Rp 4.2M
-89.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,603 Rp 137.5M
$5,006 Rp 90.5M
51.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.45 Rp 279.3K
$46.68 Rp 844.1K
-66.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.19 Rp 328.8K
$32.96 Rp 596.0K
-44.81%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.2 Rp 1.2M
$75.0 Rp 1.4M
-11.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.7 Rp 1.4M
$65.9 Rp 1.2M
13.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$260 Rp 4.7M
$530 Rp 9.6M
-50.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 Rp 2.9M
$347 Rp 6.3M
-54.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$583 Rp 10.5M
$1,790 Rp 32.4M
-67.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$332 Rp 6.0M
$1,096 Rp 19.8M
-69.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,293 Rp 23.4M
$1,426 Rp 25.8M
-9.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$622 Rp 11.2M
$1,171 Rp 21.2M
-46.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$279 Rp 5.0M
-
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: July 26, 2026

Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 26, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $260 in Sibolga and $530 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Dining out: $12.00 in Sibolga vs $22.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $209 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 in Denpasar, Bali?
Sibolga and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 62% in total monthly costs ($591 vs $959 including rent). Sibolga is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Sibolga compared to Denpasar, Bali?
You'd need roughly $887 in Sibolga and $1,438 in Denpasar, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Sibolga and in Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $260 in Sibolga versus $530 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 $591 per month in Sibolga versus $959 in Denpasar, Bali – a 62% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Sibolga and in Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Sibolga runs roughly 28% 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 $591 in Sibolga versus $959 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 62% 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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