🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $600 in Sibolga versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $943 in Sibolga versus $1,642 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,285 in Sibolga versus $2,334 in Denpasar, Bali.
🙂Living in Sibolga costs roughly 37% less than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Both cities sit below the global median: Sibolga55% lower, Denpasar, Bali29% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.52Rp 27.3K
$2.35Rp 42.2K
-35.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.25Rp 219.4K
$21.69Rp 388.7K
-43.52%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.34Rp 59.8K
$3.23Rp 58.0K
3.41%
Cappuccino
$1.70Rp 30.5K
$1.90Rp 34.1K
-10.53%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.55Rp 9,781
$0.94Rp 16.9K
-41.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,610
$0.47Rp 8,337
-44.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.02Rp 54.0K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
51.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.60Rp 46.5K
$2.56Rp 45.8K
1.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.17Rp 20.9K
$1.46Rp 26.1K
-19.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.12Rp 20.0K
$1.99Rp 35.6K
-43.72%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.92Rp 16.5K
$0.98Rp 17.6K
-6.12%
Eggs
$1.58Rp 28.4K
$1.98Rp 35.5K
-20.20%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.94Rp 142.2K
$11.75Rp 210.4K
-32.43%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.32Rp 41.5K
$3.38Rp 60.5K
-31.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.04Rp 162.0K
$9.83Rp 176.0K
-8.04%
Apples(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.4K
$3.00Rp 53.8K
-23.00%
Banana(1kg)
$1.45Rp 26.0K
$1.30Rp 23.2K
11.54%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86Rp 33.3K
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-18.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 26.7K
$1.81Rp 32.5K
-17.68%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71Rp 12.7K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
-54.78%
Onion(1kg)
$1.53Rp 27.5K
$1.78Rp 31.8K
-14.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91Rp 16.3K
$0.80Rp 14.4K
13.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33Rp 5,840
$0.63Rp 11.2K
-47.62%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.79Rp 32.1K
$2.59Rp 46.4K
-30.89%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.67Rp 334.5K
$18.61Rp 333.4K
0.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.27Rp 40.7K
$2.24Rp 40.2K
1.34%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.24Rp 40.1K
$2.32Rp 41.5K
-3.45%
🚌 Getting Around
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45Rp 8,016
$0.24Rp 4,288
87.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.91Rp 177.6K
$7.50Rp 134.4K
32.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$0.41Rp 7,327
39.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.38Rp 6,764
$0.38Rp 6,836
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.86Rp 51.3K
$5.61Rp 100.5K
-49.02%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02Rp 18.3K
$0.77Rp 13.7K
32.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5KRp 439.2M
$23.6KRp 422.0M
4.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6KRp 495.0M
$29.3KRp 524.1M
-5.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$26.42Rp 473.3K
$72.0Rp 1.3M
-63.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.27Rp 76.4K
$3.69Rp 66.1K
15.72%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.51Rp 403.2K
$21.33Rp 382.1K
5.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.14Rp 414.5K
$68.8Rp 1.2M
-66.37%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.33Rp 113.5K
$4.53Rp 81.2K
39.74%
Cinema Ticket
$3.14Rp 56.2K
$2.89Rp 51.7K
8.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$24.08Rp 431.5K
$232Rp 4.2M
-89.63%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,714Rp 138.2M
$5,015Rp 89.9M
53.82%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.47Rp 277.2K
$46.98Rp 841.7K
-67.07%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.47Rp 330.9K
$32.75Rp 586.7K
-43.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$65.7Rp 1.2M
$74.5Rp 1.3M
-11.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.9Rp 1.3M
$67.3Rp 1.2M
9.79%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$261Rp 4.7M
$515Rp 9.2M
-49.46%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$349Rp 6.3M
-55.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$593Rp 10.6M
$1,780Rp 31.9M
-66.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$335Rp 6.0M
$1,083Rp 19.4M
-69.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,315Rp 23.6M
$1,453Rp 26.0M
-9.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$764Rp 13.7M
$1,186Rp 21.3M
-35.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$325Rp 5.8M
-
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: June 9, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: June 7, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $261 in Sibolga and $515 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 $196 vs $241 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 58% in total monthly costs ($600 vs $950 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 $901 in Sibolga and $1,425 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $261 in Sibolga versus $515 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 $600 per month in Sibolga versus $950 in Denpasar, Bali – a 58% 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 32% 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 $600 in Sibolga versus $950 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 58% less than in Denpasar, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.