🙂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: Sibolga56% lower, Denpasar, Bali28% lower.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.55Rp 28.1K
$2.41Rp 43.5K
-35.68%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.22Rp 221.0K
$22.01Rp 398.0K
-44.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.48Rp 62.8K
$3.25Rp 58.8K
7.08%
Cappuccino
$1.67Rp 30.2K
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-7.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51Rp 9,310
$0.87Rp 15.8K
-41.38%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,116
$0.47Rp 8,413
-40.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.11Rp 56.2K
$1.95Rp 35.3K
59.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.65Rp 48.0K
$2.60Rp 47.1K
1.92%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 22.1K
$1.44Rp 26.1K
-15.28%
White Bread(500g)
$1.18Rp 21.4K
$2.03Rp 36.7K
-41.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.93Rp 16.7K
$0.91Rp 16.5K
2.20%
Eggs
$1.59Rp 28.7K
$1.97Rp 35.5K
-19.29%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.33Rp 150.5K
$11.81Rp 213.5K
-29.47%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.27Rp 41.1K
$3.42Rp 61.8K
-33.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.10Rp 164.5K
$9.84Rp 177.9K
-7.52%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30Rp 41.5K
$3.09Rp 55.9K
-25.57%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51Rp 27.3K
$1.31Rp 23.7K
15.27%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.89Rp 34.2K
$2.21Rp 39.9K
-14.48%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 27.0K
$1.90Rp 34.3K
-21.58%
Potato(1kg)
$0.71Rp 12.9K
$1.54Rp 27.8K
-53.90%
Onion(1kg)
$1.53Rp 27.6K
$1.87Rp 33.9K
-18.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91Rp 16.4K
$0.82Rp 14.8K
10.98%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.35Rp 6,344
$0.59Rp 10.7K
-40.68%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.73Rp 31.2K
$2.63Rp 47.5K
-34.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.19Rp 419.3K
$18.57Rp 335.9K
24.88%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.31Rp 41.8K
$2.27Rp 41.0K
1.76%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.33Rp 42.1K
$2.23Rp 40.3K
4.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,393
$0.26Rp 4,728
57.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.68Rp 175.0K
$7.54Rp 136.3K
28.38%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.53Rp 9,606
$0.44Rp 7,960
20.45%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,764
$0.42Rp 7,509
-11.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.86Rp 51.8K
$5.66Rp 102.4K
-49.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06Rp 19.2K
$0.72Rp 13.1K
47.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KRp 446.1M
$23.9KRp 432.6M
3.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3KRp 492.8M
$28.4KRp 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)
$26.79Rp 484.5K
$71.0Rp 1.3M
-62.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22Rp 76.3K
$3.55Rp 64.3K
18.87%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.81Rp 412.5K
$21.30Rp 385.2K
7.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.00Rp 415.9K
$67.6Rp 1.2M
-65.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.08Rp 110.0K
$4.47Rp 80.9K
36.02%
Cinema Ticket
$3.09Rp 55.9K
$2.79Rp 50.5K
10.75%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$24.11Rp 436.0K
$234Rp 4.2M
-89.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,603Rp 137.5M
$5,006Rp 90.5M
51.89%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.45Rp 279.3K
$46.68Rp 844.1K
-66.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.19Rp 328.8K
$32.96Rp 596.0K
-44.81%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.2Rp 1.2M
$75.0Rp 1.4M
-11.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.7Rp 1.4M
$65.9Rp 1.2M
13.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$260Rp 4.7M
$530Rp 9.6M
-50.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$159Rp 2.9M
$347Rp 6.3M
-54.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$583Rp 10.5M
$1,790Rp 32.4M
-67.44%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$332Rp 6.0M
$1,096Rp 19.8M
-69.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,293Rp 23.4M
$1,426Rp 25.8M
-9.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$622Rp 11.2M
$1,171Rp 21.2M
-46.89%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sibolga
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$279Rp 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.