🙂A single person spends $527 per month in Surakarta vs $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $849 per month in Surakarta vs $2,928 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,172 per month in Surakarta vs $4,171 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂Surakarta is about 69% cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Surakarta sits 62% below the global median, while Uluwatu, Bali is 23% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.66Rp 29.3K
$4.11Rp 72.8K
-59.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.67Rp 206.6K
$43.57Rp 771.5K
-73.22%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 55.7K
$6.64Rp 117.6K
-52.71%
Cappuccino
$1.59Rp 28.2K
$3.38Rp 59.8K
-52.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49Rp 8,756
$2.19Rp 38.8K
-77.63%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23Rp 4,051
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-77.23%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.43Rp 25.3K
$3.56Rp 63.1K
-59.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90Rp 51.4K
$5.43Rp 96.1K
-46.59%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.91Rp 16.1K
$1.66Rp 29.4K
-45.18%
White Bread(500g)
$0.75Rp 13.3K
$2.46Rp 43.6K
-69.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.77Rp 13.7K
$1.21Rp 21.5K
-36.36%
Eggs
$1.01Rp 17.9K
$2.29Rp 40.6K
-55.90%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.02Rp 142.0K
$18.21Rp 322.4K
-55.96%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$1.75Rp 30.9K
$4.21Rp 74.5K
-58.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.35Rp 94.8K
$13.07Rp 231.4K
-59.07%
Apples(1kg)
$2.11Rp 37.4K
$3.91Rp 69.3K
-46.04%
Banana(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.5K
$1.63Rp 28.9K
-22.09%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.94Rp 34.4K
$2.47Rp 43.8K
-21.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.46Rp 25.8K
$2.06Rp 36.4K
-29.13%
Potato(1kg)
$1.38Rp 24.4K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-27.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.67Rp 29.6K
$2.59Rp 45.8K
-35.52%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.58Rp 10.3K
$1.06Rp 18.8K
-45.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,247
$0.56Rp 9,996
-26.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.00Rp 35.4K
$2.41Rp 42.6K
-17.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.57Rp 151.7K
$24.21Rp 428.6K
-64.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.74Rp 30.8K
$2.50Rp 44.2K
-30.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.92Rp 51.6K
$3.11Rp 55.0K
-6.11%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.39Rp 6,862
$0.31Rp 5,577
25.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$22.73Rp 402.5K
$10.28Rp 181.9K
121.11%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,109
$0.57Rp 10.1K
-10.53%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.47Rp 8,269
$0.58Rp 10.2K
-18.97%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.70Rp 47.8K
$2.69Rp 47.5K
0.37%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 12.9K
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-27.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.4KRp 450.5M
$30.3KRp 536.2M
-15.98%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5KRp 592.7M
$39.3KRp 696.4M
-14.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$81.3Rp 1.4M
$89.9Rp 1.6M
-9.64%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.06Rp 36.4K
$7.40Rp 131.0K
-72.16%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.91Rp 334.8K
$20.52Rp 363.4K
-7.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$16.12Rp 285.5K
$65.8Rp 1.2M
-75.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.56Rp 151.6K
$21.34Rp 377.8K
-59.89%
Cinema Ticket
$2.00Rp 35.5K
$5.21Rp 92.3K
-61.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$33.61Rp 595.2K
$544Rp 9.6M
-93.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,873Rp 33.2M
$6,707Rp 118.8M
-72.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.2Rp 1.0M
$51.1Rp 904.7K
15.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.91Rp 653.5K
$39.15Rp 693.2K
-5.72%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$71.7Rp 1.3M
$89.5Rp 1.6M
-19.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$67.3Rp 1.2M
$87.8Rp 1.6M
-23.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167Rp 3.0M
$1,556Rp 27.6M
-89.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$57.0Rp 1.0M
$924Rp 16.4M
-93.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$341Rp 6.0M
$4,848Rp 85.8M
-92.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$197Rp 3.5M
$2,307Rp 40.9M
-91.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,720Rp 65.9M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$3,051Rp 54.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$163Rp 2.9M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7.5
13.78
-45.57%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Surakarta: September 15, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: September 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $167 in Surakarta versus $1,556 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 $44.00 in Uluwatu, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $152 vs $309 – 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 in Uluwatu, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $527 in Surakarta, $1,685 in Uluwatu, Bali – roughly 220% 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 $790 per month in Surakarta and $2,528 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 $33.61 per month in Surakarta and $544 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 103% 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 $527, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,685. 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 $527 in Surakarta to $1,685 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.