😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $661 in Palembang.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,176 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $1,043 in Palembang.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,593 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $1,426 in Palembang.
🌍Living in Uluwatu, Bali is roughly 166% more expensive than in Palembang, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Uluwatu, Bali is 32% above, Palembang is 51% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.27Rp 76.5K
$1.20Rp 21.6K
255.83%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.90Rp 715.8K
$17.90Rp 321.1K
122.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.16Rp 110.4K
$3.05Rp 54.7K
101.97%
Cappuccino
$3.29Rp 58.9K
$1.40Rp 25.2K
135.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.62Rp 29.1K
$0.90Rp 16.2K
80.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89Rp 15.9K
$0.26Rp 4,653
242.31%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.53Rp 63.4K
$1.79Rp 32.0K
97.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.76Rp 85.3K
$3.75Rp 67.2K
26.93%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.87Rp 33.6K
$1.31Rp 23.5K
42.75%
White Bread(500g)
$2.63Rp 47.2K
$1.10Rp 19.8K
139.09%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.27Rp 22.7K
$1.38Rp 24.7K
-7.97%
Eggs
$2.57Rp 46.1K
$1.27Rp 22.7K
102.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.13Rp 271.4K
$7.96Rp 142.9K
90.08%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.37Rp 78.4K
$3.14Rp 56.3K
39.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.43Rp 222.9K
$8.48Rp 152.2K
46.58%
Apples(1kg)
$3.96Rp 71.1K
$2.30Rp 41.3K
72.17%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63Rp 29.2K
$1.46Rp 26.2K
11.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.90Rp 52.0K
$1.85Rp 33.3K
56.76%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.35Rp 42.1K
$1.57Rp 28.1K
49.68%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.9K
$1.37Rp 24.5K
45.99%
Onion(1kg)
$2.30Rp 41.3K
$1.98Rp 35.5K
16.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.08Rp 19.4K
$0.97Rp 17.4K
11.34%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.81Rp 14.5K
$0.50Rp 9,028
62.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.28Rp 58.9K
$2.42Rp 43.5K
35.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.45Rp 438.6K
$20.22Rp 362.7K
20.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.89Rp 51.9K
$2.05Rp 36.8K
40.98%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87Rp 51.5K
$3.23Rp 57.9K
-11.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.36Rp 6,506
$0.48Rp 8,661
-25.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.28Rp 184.5K
$9.59Rp 172.1K
7.19%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$0.57Rp 10.2K
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$0.34Rp 6,143
67.65%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$7.63Rp 136.8K
$2.84Rp 50.9K
168.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.06Rp 19.0K
$0.76Rp 13.6K
39.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$32.2KRp 577.0M
$24.8KRp 445.6M
29.48%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$40.3KRp 722.3M
$28.1KRp 503.8M
43.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.2Rp 1.6M
$70.2Rp 1.3M
25.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.47Rp 80.2K
$4.18Rp 74.9K
6.94%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.05Rp 467.4K
$23.42Rp 420.1K
11.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$115Rp 2.1M
$22.79Rp 408.7K
405.84%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.75Rp 139.1K
$6.02Rp 108.0K
28.74%
Cinema Ticket
$4.70Rp 84.3K
$2.98Rp 53.5K
57.72%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$339Rp 6.1M
$94.2Rp 1.7M
259.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,595Rp 136.3M
$7,485Rp 134.3M
1.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$60.8Rp 1.1M
$41.82Rp 750.1K
45.46%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.63Rp 764.8K
$30.61Rp 549.1K
39.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.9Rp 1.8M
$65.9Rp 1.2M
48.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.1Rp 1.5M
$72.9Rp 1.3M
18.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,369Rp 24.6M
$262Rp 4.7M
422.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$920Rp 16.5M
$158Rp 2.8M
481.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,495Rp 80.6M
$593Rp 10.6M
657.96%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,803Rp 50.3M
$328Rp 5.9M
754.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,751Rp 67.3M
$976Rp 17.5M
284.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,040Rp 54.5M
$601Rp 10.8M
405.91%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Uluwatu, Bali
Palembang
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$300Rp 5.4M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
9.15
45.14%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: July 12, 2026
Last update for Palembang: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,369 in Uluwatu, Bali and $262 in Palembang. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $40.00 in Uluwatu, Bali vs $18.00 in Palembang for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $312 vs $210 per month, with Palembang 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 Palembang: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palembang cheaper than Uluwatu, Bali?
Palembang is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 166% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,638 in Uluwatu, Bali and $991 in Palembang 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.
What is the rent difference between Uluwatu, Bali and Palembang?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,369 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $262 in Palembang. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Uluwatu, Bali and in Palembang?
All in, you'll spend $1,759 per month in Uluwatu, Bali versus $661 in Palembang – a 166% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Palembang runs roughly 7% less than in Uluwatu, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Uluwatu, Bali or in Palembang?
At $661 in Palembang versus $1,759 in Uluwatu, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Palembang but tight or insufficient in Uluwatu, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Palembang the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Uluwatu, Bali or Palembang more family-friendly?
For families, Palembang is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Uluwatu, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Uluwatu, Bali or Palembang?
Safety-wise, Uluwatu, Bali and Palembang are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Palembang gentler on the wallet – expenses run 166% 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