🙂A single person spends $660 per month in Surakarta vs $1,736 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $999 per month in Surakarta vs $3,152 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,339 per month in Surakarta vs $4,568 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
$1.50Rp 26.0K
$4.33Rp 75.0K
-65.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.10Rp 209.8K
$38.42Rp 665.9K
-68.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.16Rp 54.7K
$6.11Rp 106.0K
-48.28%
Cappuccino
$1.65Rp 28.6K
$3.45Rp 59.7K
-52.17%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.5K
$1.67Rp 29.0K
-64.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27Rp 4,721
$0.88Rp 15.3K
-69.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.85Rp 32.1K
$3.54Rp 61.3K
-47.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.84Rp 49.3K
$4.59Rp 79.6K
-38.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.15Rp 19.9K
$1.80Rp 31.1K
-36.11%
White Bread(500g)
$0.90Rp 15.6K
$2.57Rp 44.5K
-64.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.0K
$1.25Rp 21.7K
-40.00%
Eggs
$1.23Rp 21.4K
$2.53Rp 43.9K
-51.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.99Rp 155.8K
$15.00Rp 259.9K
-40.07%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.89Rp 50.1K
$4.55Rp 78.9K
-36.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.27Rp 126.0K
$12.59Rp 218.3K
-42.26%
Apples(1kg)
$2.40Rp 41.6K
$3.94Rp 68.2K
-39.09%
Banana(1kg)
$1.54Rp 26.7K
$1.64Rp 28.5K
-6.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.12Rp 36.7K
$2.83Rp 49.1K
-25.09%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.39Rp 24.1K
$2.46Rp 42.7K
-43.50%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 23.8K
$2.10Rp 36.4K
-34.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.65Rp 28.6K
$2.40Rp 41.6K
-31.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.62Rp 10.8K
$1.06Rp 18.4K
-41.51%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46Rp 7,898
$0.81Rp 14.0K
-43.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18Rp 37.7K
$3.41Rp 59.1K
-36.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.86Rp 153.6K
$24.50Rp 424.7K
-63.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78Rp 30.8K
$3.02Rp 52.4K
-41.06%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.15Rp 54.6K
$2.90Rp 50.3K
8.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45Rp 7,757
$0.37Rp 6,330
21.62%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.08Rp 174.7K
$10.50Rp 182.0K
-4.00%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.44Rp 7,642
$0.61Rp 10.5K
-27.87%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,002
$0.53Rp 9,214
-45.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.69Rp 46.7K
$7.47Rp 129.5K
-63.99%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.77Rp 13.3K
$1.02Rp 17.6K
-24.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8KRp 359.7M
$32.5KRp 563.8M
-36.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.1KRp 608.9M
$40.8KRp 706.9M
-13.86%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.9Rp 1.5M
$88.8Rp 1.5M
-4.45%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.22Rp 38.5K
$4.30Rp 74.6K
-48.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.77Rp 342.6K
$26.71Rp 463.0K
-25.98%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$19.77Rp 342.6K
$114Rp 2.0M
-82.60%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.00Rp 104.0K
$7.54Rp 130.7K
-20.42%
Cinema Ticket
$2.21Rp 38.3K
$4.82Rp 83.6K
-54.15%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.42Rp 648.5K
$336Rp 5.8M
-88.86%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,046Rp 35.5M
$7,640Rp 132.4M
-73.22%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.3Rp 1.1M
$60.6Rp 1.0M
2.86%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.19Rp 661.9K
$42.13Rp 730.2K
-9.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.7Rp 1.3M
$96.7Rp 1.7M
-19.66%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.9Rp 1.2M
$84.2Rp 1.5M
-15.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.5M
$1,345Rp 23.3M
-80.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$890Rp 15.4M
-82.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$581Rp 10.1M
$4,556Rp 79.0M
-87.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$331Rp 5.7M
$2,822Rp 48.9M
-88.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$4,025Rp 69.8M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,190Rp 55.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$164Rp 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: April 27, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $262 in Surakarta versus $1,345 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 $38.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $177 vs $312 – 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, $1,736 in Uluwatu, Bali – roughly 163% 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 $2,604 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 $37.42 per month in Surakarta and $336 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 77% 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 $1,736. 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 $1,736 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.