😐A single person spends $1,692 per month in Uluwatu, Bali vs $688 in Surabaya, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,887 per month in Uluwatu, Bali vs $1,205 in Surabaya, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $4,082 per month in Uluwatu, Bali vs $1,722 in Surabaya, rent included.
😐Uluwatu, Bali costs about 146% more than Surabaya, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Uluwatu, Bali sits 23% above the global median, while Surabaya is 50% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.21Rp 74.2K
$1.66Rp 29.3K
153.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$46.88Rp 826.4K
$11.40Rp 201.0K
311.23%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.86Rp 120.9K
$3.24Rp 57.2K
111.73%
Cappuccino
$3.25Rp 57.2K
$1.56Rp 27.5K
108.33%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01Rp 35.5K
$0.56Rp 9,841
258.93%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87Rp 15.4K
$0.26Rp 4,572
234.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.21Rp 56.7K
$2.25Rp 39.6K
42.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.00Rp 88.1K
$4.37Rp 77.0K
14.42%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.61Rp 28.4K
$1.21Rp 21.4K
33.06%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40Rp 42.3K
$1.34Rp 23.7K
79.10%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.22Rp 21.4K
$0.86Rp 15.2K
41.86%
Eggs
$2.22Rp 39.2K
$1.21Rp 21.2K
83.47%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.63Rp 328.4K
$7.80Rp 137.5K
138.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.27Rp 75.2K
$2.96Rp 52.2K
44.26%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.94Rp 228.1K
$7.87Rp 138.8K
64.42%
Apples(1kg)
$3.84Rp 67.6K
$2.02Rp 35.7K
90.10%
Banana(1kg)
$1.62Rp 28.5K
$1.33Rp 23.4K
21.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.46Rp 43.4K
$1.87Rp 32.9K
31.55%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.07Rp 36.6K
$1.52Rp 26.9K
36.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.91Rp 33.7K
$1.37Rp 24.2K
39.42%
Onion(1kg)
$2.52Rp 44.5K
$1.93Rp 34.0K
30.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06Rp 18.7K
$0.97Rp 17.2K
9.28%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.59Rp 10.3K
$0.40Rp 7,050
47.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46Rp 43.4K
$1.96Rp 34.5K
25.51%
Wine(Bottle)
$24.68Rp 435.0K
$25.35Rp 447.0K
-2.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.46Rp 43.3K
$1.71Rp 30.1K
43.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01Rp 53.1K
$2.89Rp 50.9K
4.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,624
$0.36Rp 6,271
-11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$10.57Rp 186.3K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.61Rp 10.8K
$0.47Rp 8,334
29.79%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.60Rp 10.5K
$0.47Rp 8,293
27.66%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.56Rp 45.2K
$2.70Rp 47.7K
-5.19%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03Rp 18.2K
$0.80Rp 14.2K
28.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.9KRp 544.5M
$24.7KRp 435.5M
25.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.7KRp 700.8M
$33.1KRp 583.3M
20.14%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$90.1Rp 1.6M
$88.9Rp 1.6M
1.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.01Rp 123.5K
$4.83Rp 85.2K
45.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.74Rp 365.7K
$19.84Rp 349.7K
4.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$63.9Rp 1.1M
$18.57Rp 327.4K
244.26%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.78Rp 384.0K
$6.54Rp 115.3K
233.03%
Cinema Ticket
$5.23Rp 92.2K
$2.65Rp 46.7K
97.36%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$553Rp 9.8M
$286Rp 5.0M
93.64%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,619Rp 116.7M
$9,694Rp 170.9M
-31.72%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9Rp 897.1K
$71.2Rp 1.3M
-28.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$39.71Rp 700.1K
$39.47Rp 695.8K
0.61%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.7Rp 1.6M
$81.5Rp 1.4M
9.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$86.5Rp 1.5M
$74.9Rp 1.3M
15.43%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,546Rp 27.3M
$290Rp 5.1M
433.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$925Rp 16.3M
$150Rp 2.6M
518.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$4,743Rp 83.6M
$1,276Rp 22.5M
271.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,298Rp 40.5M
$618Rp 10.9M
271.93%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,748Rp 66.1M
$2,231Rp 39.3M
68.04%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,055Rp 53.9M
$1,073Rp 18.9M
184.64%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Uluwatu, Bali
Surabaya
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$277Rp 4.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
7.5
83.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Uluwatu, Bali: August 31, 2026
Last update for Surabaya: September 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,546 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $290 in Surabaya. 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 $47.00 in Uluwatu, Bali versus $11.00 in Surabaya. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $309 vs $211 – making Surabaya 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
Uluwatu, Bali vs Surabaya: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Uluwatu, Bali and in Surabaya compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali, $688 in Surabaya – roughly 146% apart. Uluwatu, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Uluwatu, Bali compared to Surabaya?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,538 per month in Uluwatu, Bali and $1,032 in Surabaya. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Uluwatu, Bali and Surabaya?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Surabaya, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Uluwatu, Bali or Surabaya?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali and $688 in Surabaya. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Uluwatu, Bali and Surabaya?
Kindergarten costs $553 per month in Uluwatu, Bali and $286 in Surabaya. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Surabaya, where all-in costs run around $688, than in Uluwatu, Bali at $1,692. In Surabaya 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 Uluwatu, Bali and Surabaya?
It depends on your priorities. Uluwatu, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $688 in Surabaya to $1,692 in Uluwatu, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Uluwatu, Bali or Surabaya 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 Uluwatu, Bali and Surabaya?
If budget matters most, go with Surabaya. 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.
Uluwatu, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared