🙂A single person spends $652 per month in Surakarta vs $1,730 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $991 per month in Surakarta vs $3,196 in Uluwatu, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,330 per month in Surakarta vs $4,662 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 27.1K
$4.25Rp 76.7K
-64.71%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.08Rp 218.0K
$38.65Rp 697.8K
-68.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.05Rp 55.1K
$6.13Rp 110.8K
-50.24%
Cappuccino
$1.72Rp 31.1K
$3.43Rp 62.0K
-49.85%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.9K
$1.63Rp 29.4K
-63.19%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25Rp 4,483
$0.90Rp 16.3K
-72.22%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.79Rp 32.3K
$3.66Rp 66.0K
-51.09%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89Rp 52.1K
$4.73Rp 85.5K
-38.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.21Rp 21.8K
$1.83Rp 33.1K
-33.88%
White Bread(500g)
$0.87Rp 15.8K
$2.56Rp 46.2K
-66.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.76Rp 13.7K
$1.20Rp 21.7K
-36.67%
Eggs
$1.25Rp 22.5K
$2.58Rp 46.6K
-51.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.35Rp 168.8K
$15.55Rp 280.7K
-39.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.86Rp 51.7K
$4.37Rp 79.0K
-34.55%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.32Rp 132.2K
$12.55Rp 226.6K
-41.67%
Apples(1kg)
$2.30Rp 41.6K
$4.02Rp 72.7K
-42.79%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47Rp 26.6K
$1.68Rp 30.3K
-12.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.11Rp 38.2K
$2.94Rp 53.1K
-28.23%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35Rp 24.4K
$2.46Rp 44.4K
-45.12%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.9K
$2.03Rp 36.6K
-34.98%
Onion(1kg)
$1.68Rp 30.2K
$2.30Rp 41.5K
-26.96%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$1.07Rp 19.3K
-40.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,158
$0.82Rp 14.8K
-45.12%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.17Rp 39.2K
$3.41Rp 61.6K
-36.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.23Rp 148.6K
$24.26Rp 437.9K
-66.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83Rp 33.0K
$3.00Rp 54.1K
-39.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.22Rp 58.1K
$3.02Rp 54.5K
6.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45Rp 8,102
$0.33Rp 6,043
36.36%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.09Rp 182.2K
$10.49Rp 189.4K
-3.81%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47Rp 8,523
$0.60Rp 10.9K
-21.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,597
$0.53Rp 9,634
-41.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.78Rp 50.3K
$7.86Rp 141.9K
-64.63%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$1.05Rp 19.0K
-20.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.1KRp 380.8M
$32.5KRp 586.0M
-35.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.3KRp 636.5M
$40.6KRp 733.6M
-13.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$84.1Rp 1.5M
$88.5Rp 1.6M
-5.01%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.23Rp 40.2K
$4.53Rp 81.8K
-50.77%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.64Rp 354.5K
$26.81Rp 484.0K
-26.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$20.09Rp 362.6K
$113Rp 2.0M
-82.20%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.13Rp 110.7K
$7.55Rp 136.2K
-18.81%
Cinema Ticket
$2.09Rp 37.8K
$4.70Rp 84.9K
-55.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.76Rp 663.6K
$339Rp 6.1M
-89.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,073Rp 37.4M
$7,643Rp 138.0M
-72.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$62.9Rp 1.1M
$59.9Rp 1.1M
5.01%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.17Rp 689.1K
$41.74Rp 753.6K
-8.55%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.1Rp 1.4M
$95.2Rp 1.7M
-19.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.8Rp 1.3M
$85.9Rp 1.6M
-15.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$261Rp 4.7M
$1,328Rp 24.0M
-80.33%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$160Rp 2.9M
$901Rp 16.3M
-82.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$594Rp 10.7M
$4,527Rp 81.7M
-86.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$338Rp 6.1M
$2,827Rp 51.0M
-88.05%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$3,685Rp 66.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,998Rp 54.1M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Surakarta
Uluwatu, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$158Rp 2.9M
-
-
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: July 27, 2026
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: July 26, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $261 in Surakarta versus $1,328 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: $176 vs $314 – 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: $652 in Surakarta, $1,730 in Uluwatu, Bali – roughly 165% 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 $978 per month in Surakarta and $2,595 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 $36.76 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 78% 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 $652, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,730. 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 $652 in Surakarta to $1,730 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.