🙂A single person spends $660 per month in Surakarta vs $1,744 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,001 per month in Surakarta vs $3,142 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,343 per month in Surakarta vs $4,540 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Surakarta is about 62% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Surakarta sits 51% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 30% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.59Rp 28.4K
$4.17Rp 74.7K
-61.87%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.17Rp 218.1K
$38.98Rp 698.4K
-68.78%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.10Rp 55.6K
$5.93Rp 106.2K
-47.72%
Cappuccino
$1.67Rp 29.9K
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-49.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.56Rp 10.1K
$1.66Rp 29.8K
-66.27%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,841
$0.89Rp 16.0K
-69.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.83Rp 32.7K
$3.52Rp 63.0K
-48.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.99Rp 53.6K
$4.61Rp 82.5K
-35.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 20.6K
$1.88Rp 33.6K
-38.83%
White Bread(500g)
$0.84Rp 15.0K
$2.66Rp 47.7K
-68.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.4K
$1.19Rp 21.4K
-36.97%
Eggs
$1.25Rp 22.4K
$2.47Rp 44.3K
-49.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.01Rp 161.5K
$15.09Rp 270.3K
-40.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.87Rp 51.5K
$4.40Rp 78.9K
-34.77%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.15Rp 128.2K
$12.47Rp 223.5K
-42.66%
Apples(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.9K
$3.89Rp 69.7K
-41.39%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.7K
$1.69Rp 30.2K
-8.28%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.7K
$2.81Rp 50.3K
-25.27%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35Rp 24.2K
$2.41Rp 43.2K
-43.98%
Potato(1kg)
$1.36Rp 24.4K
$2.02Rp 36.1K
-32.67%
Onion(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.4K
$2.36Rp 42.4K
-30.51%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$1.08Rp 19.3K
-40.74%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,642
$0.81Rp 14.5K
-46.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.19Rp 39.3K
$3.46Rp 62.1K
-36.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.04Rp 144.1K
$24.07Rp 431.3K
-66.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.84Rp 32.9K
$2.97Rp 53.2K
-38.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.28Rp 58.8K
$2.85Rp 51.1K
15.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.42Rp 7,500
$0.33Rp 5,990
27.27%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.86Rp 176.6K
$10.26Rp 183.9K
-3.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,921
$0.61Rp 11.0K
-27.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,622
$0.53Rp 9,557
-41.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.80Rp 50.1K
$7.86Rp 140.7K
-64.38%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$1.03Rp 18.4K
-19.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6KRp 369.9M
$32.7KRp 585.0M
-36.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.9KRp 625.7M
$39.5KRp 708.5M
-11.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.6Rp 1.5M
$86.4Rp 1.5M
-2.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.22Rp 39.7K
$4.38Rp 78.5K
-49.32%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.39Rp 347.4K
$25.99Rp 465.7K
-25.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.74Rp 353.7K
$113Rp 2.0M
-82.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.01Rp 107.7K
$7.77Rp 139.1K
-22.65%
Cinema Ticket
$2.21Rp 39.7K
$4.82Rp 86.4K
-54.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.15Rp 665.5K
$339Rp 6.1M
-89.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,032Rp 36.4M
$7,366Rp 132.0M
-72.42%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.2Rp 1.1M
$58.6Rp 1.0M
4.49%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.27Rp 685.7K
$41.81Rp 749.0K
-8.47%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.0Rp 1.4M
$95.0Rp 1.7M
-17.91%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$71.9Rp 1.3M
$86.5Rp 1.6M
-16.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$259Rp 4.6M
$1,375Rp 24.6M
-81.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$157Rp 2.8M
$919Rp 16.5M
-82.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$585Rp 10.5M
$4,635Rp 83.0M
-87.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$328Rp 5.9M
$2,804Rp 50.2M
-88.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,664Rp 65.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,073Rp 55.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$158Rp 2.8M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.33
13.28
-37.27%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surakarta: June 8, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: June 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $259 in Surakarta versus $1,375 in Uluwatu, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Surakarta versus $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $173 vs $311 – making Surakarta the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Surakarta vs Uluwatu, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Surakarta and Uluwatu, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $660 in Surakarta, $1,744 in Uluwatu, Bali – roughly 164% apart. Uluwatu, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Surakarta compared to Uluwatu, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $990 per month in Surakarta and $2,615 in Uluwatu, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Surakarta and Uluwatu, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Surakarta, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Surakarta and Uluwatu, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $37.15 per month in Surakarta and $339 in Uluwatu, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 79% more in Uluwatu, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Surakarta, where all-in costs run around $660, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,744. In Surakarta it covers expenses comfortably, while in Uluwatu, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Surakarta and Uluwatu, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Uluwatu, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $660 in Surakarta to $1,744 in Uluwatu, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Surakarta or Uluwatu, Bali safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Surakarta and Uluwatu, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Surakarta. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Uluwatu, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.