😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,732 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $778 in Balikpapan.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,186 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $1,200 in Balikpapan.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,640 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $1,622 in Balikpapan.
😐Living in Uluwatu, Bali is roughly 122% more expensive than Balikpapan, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Uluwatu, Bali is 30% above, Balikpapan is 42% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.25Rp 75.4K
$1.57Rp 27.8K
170.70%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.68Rp 685.2K
$15.13Rp 268.0K
155.65%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.18Rp 109.5K
$3.35Rp 59.3K
84.48%
Cappuccino
$3.30Rp 58.5K
$1.73Rp 30.6K
90.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.61Rp 28.5K
$0.40Rp 7,116
302.50%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89Rp 15.8K
$0.38Rp 6,803
134.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.58Rp 63.4K
$2.01Rp 35.7K
78.11%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.58Rp 81.1K
$3.15Rp 55.8K
45.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.82Rp 32.3K
$1.89Rp 33.6K
-3.70%
White Bread(500g)
$2.57Rp 45.6K
$1.23Rp 21.8K
108.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20Rp 21.3K
$1.27Rp 22.5K
-5.51%
Eggs
$2.51Rp 44.4K
$2.67Rp 47.4K
-5.99%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.08Rp 267.1K
$7.92Rp 140.3K
90.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.35Rp 77.1K
$5.03Rp 89.2K
-13.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.47Rp 220.9K
$7.95Rp 140.8K
56.86%
Apples(1kg)
$3.95Rp 70.0K
$3.73Rp 66.0K
5.90%
Banana(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.1K
$1.55Rp 27.5K
5.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.83Rp 50.1K
$2.12Rp 37.6K
33.49%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.38Rp 42.1K
$1.26Rp 22.3K
88.89%
Potato(1kg)
$2.02Rp 35.8K
$1.81Rp 32.1K
11.60%
Onion(1kg)
$2.32Rp 41.1K
$3.62Rp 64.1K
-35.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.11Rp 19.6K
$0.94Rp 16.6K
18.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.75Rp 13.3K
$0.79Rp 14.0K
-5.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.34Rp 59.2K
$2.06Rp 36.4K
62.14%
Wine(Bottle)
$25.00Rp 442.9K
$21.59Rp 382.5K
15.79%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.91Rp 51.6K
$2.25Rp 39.8K
29.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.93Rp 51.8K
$4.33Rp 76.8K
-32.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.34Rp 5,988
$0.63Rp 11.2K
-46.03%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.51Rp 186.1K
$9.67Rp 171.2K
8.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.1K
$1.25Rp 22.1K
-54.40%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.54Rp 9,485
$0.38Rp 6,652
42.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.72Rp 136.7K
$5.96Rp 105.5K
29.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.07Rp 18.9K
$0.74Rp 13.1K
44.59%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.2KRp 588.0M
$24.5KRp 434.5M
35.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.8KRp 723.4M
$26.0KRp 460.5M
57.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$87.6Rp 1.6M
$92.1Rp 1.6M
-4.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.32Rp 76.5K
$2.98Rp 52.8K
44.97%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.72Rp 473.3K
$31.61Rp 560.0K
-15.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$114Rp 2.0M
$21.70Rp 384.3K
426.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.77Rp 137.6K
$6.06Rp 107.3K
28.22%
Cinema Ticket
$4.61Rp 81.6K
$3.12Rp 55.3K
47.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$341Rp 6.0M
$61.9Rp 1.1M
451.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,405Rp 131.2M
$7,588Rp 134.4M
-2.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.0Rp 1.1M
$41.41Rp 733.6K
44.92%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.40Rp 751.2K
$20.63Rp 365.5K
105.53%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.7Rp 1.7M
$124Rp 2.2M
-22.99%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.7Rp 1.5M
$124Rp 2.2M
-32.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,363Rp 24.1M
$222Rp 3.9M
513.56%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$922Rp 16.3M
$155Rp 2.8M
493.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,617Rp 81.8M
$492Rp 8.7M
839.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,782Rp 49.3M
$309Rp 5.5M
799.65%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,800Rp 67.3M
$1,084Rp 19.2M
250.55%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,092Rp 54.8M
$628Rp 11.1M
391.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Uluwatu, Bali
Balikpapan
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$195Rp 3.4M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
15
-11.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: June 15, 2026
Last update for Balikpapan: June 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,363 in Uluwatu, Bali and $222 in Balikpapan. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Uluwatu, Bali vs $15.00 in Balikpapan for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $311 vs $252 per month, with Balikpapan cheaper across the board.
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
Uluwatu, Bali vs Balikpapan: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan?
Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan differ by about 122% in total monthly costs ($1,732 vs $778 including rent). Balikpapan is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Uluwatu, Bali compared to Balikpapan?
You'd need roughly $2,598 in Uluwatu, Bali and $1,168 in Balikpapan to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,363 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $222 in Balikpapan. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan?
A monthly transit pass in Balikpapan runs roughly 9% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan?
Childcare runs $341 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $61.9 in Balikpapan. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $778 in Balikpapan versus $1,732 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Balikpapan but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Balikpapan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Uluwatu, Bali or Balikpapan safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Uluwatu, Bali and Balikpapan are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Uluwatu, Bali or Balikpapan?
Expats usually find Balikpapan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 122% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Uluwatu, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared