For one person, living is cheaper in Sikkim: $361 a month against $1,187 in Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.
Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Sikkim and in Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.
A single person spends $361 per month in Sikkim vs $1,187 in Bali, rent included.
Sikkim $361
Bali $1,187
A couple spends around $582 per month in Sikkim vs $2,004 in Bali, rent included.
Sikkim $582
Bali $2,004
A family of three spends $802 per month in Sikkim vs $2,822 in Bali, rent included.
Sikkim $802
Bali $2,822
🙂
Sikkim is about 70% cheaper than Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.
📊
Both Sikkim and Bali are more affordable than the global median – Sikkim73% lower, Bali12% lower.
Currency
No currencies found
🍽 Eating Out
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.05₹192
$2.80Rp 50.5K
-26.79%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$10.64₹999
$28.85Rp 519.4K
-63.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.71₹349
$4.76Rp 85.8K
-22.06%
Cappuccino
$1.58₹148
$2.23Rp 40.2K
-29.15%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41₹38.05
$1.30Rp 23.3K
-68.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.13₹12.19
$0.56Rp 10.2K
-76.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.84₹173
$2.23Rp 40.2K
-17.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94₹276
$3.55Rp 63.9K
-17.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.71₹67.0
$1.41Rp 25.3K
-49.65%
White Bread(500g)
$0.48₹44.78
$2.18Rp 39.3K
-77.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.40₹37.73
$1.05Rp 18.8K
-61.90%
Eggs
$1.47₹138
$1.92Rp 34.6K
-23.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.44₹417
$14.84Rp 267.2K
-70.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.84₹267
$3.86Rp 69.5K
-26.42%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$10.69Rp 192.4K
-
Apples(1kg)
$1.94₹183
$3.34Rp 60.1K
-41.92%
Banana(1kg)
$0.67₹62.6
$1.46Rp 26.3K
-54.11%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.90₹84.6
$2.22Rp 40.0K
-59.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.45₹42.32
$1.80Rp 32.5K
-75.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.45₹41.95
$1.72Rp 30.9K
-73.84%
Onion(1kg)
$0.53₹49.50
$2.23Rp 40.1K
-76.23%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.44₹41.16
$0.92Rp 16.5K
-52.17%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.33₹31.01
$0.46Rp 8,288
-28.26%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.42₹227
$2.06Rp 37.0K
17.48%
Wine(Bottle)
$4.16₹391
$20.38Rp 366.9K
-79.59%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.25₹117
$2.16Rp 39.0K
-42.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59₹243
$2.85Rp 51.3K
-9.12%
Buffalo Round(or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)(1kg)
$2.72₹256
-
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🚌 Getting Around
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.21₹19.68
$0.25Rp 4,519
-16.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.10₹667
$8.68Rp 156.3K
-18.20%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.82₹76.9
$0.44Rp 7,936
86.36%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.27₹25.57
$0.43Rp 7,747
-37.21%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.54₹145
$5.38Rp 96.9K
-71.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.12₹105
$0.85Rp 15.3K
31.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$11.4K₹1.1M
$23.7KRp 427.4M
-51.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.8K₹1.9M
$32.9KRp 591.4M
-39.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$34.33₹3,224
$76.7Rp 1.4M
-55.26%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.28₹308
$6.33Rp 113.9K
-48.18%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$6.53₹613
$18.93Rp 340.8K
-65.50%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.39₹1,351
$41.65Rp 749.9K
-65.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.62₹621
$14.78Rp 266.0K
-55.21%
Cinema Ticket
$2.88₹271
$3.58Rp 64.4K
-19.55%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$45.67₹4,288
$437Rp 7.9M
-89.54%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,415₹132.8K
$11.0KRp 198.7M
-87.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.01₹2,066
$43.09Rp 775.7K
-48.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.30₹2,188
$33.51Rp 603.2K
-30.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$39.04₹3,666
$75.0Rp 1.4M
-47.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.82₹2,706
$73.9Rp 1.3M
-60.97%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$120₹11.2K
$957Rp 17.2M
-87.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$78.0₹7,320
$570Rp 10.3M
-86.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$271₹25.4K
$3,028Rp 54.5M
-91.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186₹17.5K
$1,446Rp 26.0M
-87.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$919₹86.3K
$2,096Rp 37.7M
-56.16%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$528₹49.5K
$1,885Rp 33.9M
-72.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sikkim
Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$470₹44.2K
$215Rp 3.9M
118.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.86
13.78
-35.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sikkim: November 2, 2026
Last update for Bali: October 31, 2026
Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Share of the monthly basket for a family of three, rent included.
🛒Groceries & Markets
Sikkim
$94 26.1%
Bali
$263 22.2% ↑ 179%$169
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sikkim
$78 21.6%
Bali
$570 48% ↑ 631%$492
🍽Eating Out
Sikkim
$64 17.6%
Bali
$89 7.5% ↑ 40.2%$26
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sikkim
$51 14.1%
Bali
$101 8.6% ↑ 99.3%$51
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sikkim
$44 12.2%
Bali
$102 8.6% ↑ 131%$58
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sikkim
$20 5.6%
Bali
$49 4.1% ↑ 142%$29
🚌Getting Around
Sikkim
$10 2.8%
Bali
$12 1% ↑ 21.3%$2.2
🛒Groceries & Markets
Sikkim
$212 26.4%
Bali
$589 20.9% ↑ 178%$378
🏠Accommodation & Living
Sikkim
$186 23.2%
Bali
$1.4K 51.2% ↑ 677%$1.3K
🍽Eating Out
Sikkim
$176 22%
Bali
$315 11.2% ↑ 79%$139
👕👟Clothing & Footwear
Sikkim
$113 14.1%
Bali
$225 8% ↑ 99.2%$112
🧾Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sikkim
$47 5.9%
Bali
$108 3.8% ↑ 128%$61
🎉Sport & Entertainment
Sikkim
$47 5.9%
Bali
$112 4% ↑ 140%$65
🚌Getting Around
Sikkim
$21 2.6%
Bali
$25 0.9% ↑ 21.3%$4.4
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $120 in Sikkim versus $957 in Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries in Sikkim are about 2.2 times higher, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Sikkim versus $29 in Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $94 vs $263 – making Sikkim the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.
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
Sikkim vs Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Sikkim or Bali?
Bali costs about 228% more than Sikkim, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Sikkim and in Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $542 per month in Sikkim and $1,780 in Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Sikkim or Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Sikkim, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $120 there versus $957 in Bali.
How do dining costs compare in Sikkim and in Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $11 in Sikkim and $29 in Bali. That’s a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Sikkim compared to Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $361 in Sikkim and $1,187 in Bali. That makes Sikkim about 70% cheaper.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Sikkim or in Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Sikkim, where all-in costs run around $361, than in Bali at $1,187. In Sikkim it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Sikkim – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Sikkim compared to Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Sikkim is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 70% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.