Cost of Living in Bali (2026): Realistic Breakdown for Expats

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only. Actual numbers can vary depending on various factors.

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Key Takeaways

• Bali can be significantly cheaper than the US and Australia, but your actual monthly cost depends heavily on lifestyle, location, housing choice, and whether you live alone, as a couple, or with a family.
• Estimated monthly budgets in Bali vary widely: from around $900–$1,200 (IDR 15M - 20M) for frugal expats, $1,300 – $2,000 (IDR 21M - 33M) for a comfortable lifestyle, to $2,500+ (IDR 42M) for high-end living, while families typically need $3,000 – $5,000+ (IDR 50 - 83M) per month, mainly due to housing and international school fees.
• Housing is the largest expense, followed by food and lifestyle choices. Long-term rentals, eating local food, and choosing locations slightly away from tourist hotspots can significantly reduce costs.
• Compared to major cities like New York, Sydney, or Melbourne, Bali’s overall cost of living is much lower, but proper budgeting for healthcare, insurance, and visa costs is essential for long-term financial stability.

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Many foreigners move to Bali because they want a more affordable lifestyle. But is the cost of living in Bali really that cheap?

The cost of living in Bali can be much lower than in Western countries, but it really depends on your lifestyle. Many factors affect your monthly spending, from your residential area, whether you are moving with family, as a couple, or alone, to your purpose for staying in Bali (tourist or long-term resident).

In this guide, we’ll go through the real cost of living in Bali, Indonesia per month and compare it with other countries (US and Australia), so you can plan realistically.

How Much Does It Cost to Live in Bali?

The cost of living in Bali for foreigners varies widely, ranging from IDR 8 million to IDR 30 million+ per month (approximately $480 to $1,790+), depending on lifestyle.

A budget lifestyle (boarding house / local eateries) can start from Rp 5–8 million per month (around $300–$480). Meanwhile, a mid-range to comfortable lifestyle (villa / cafés) typically ranges between IDR 15–25 million per month (about $895–$1,490).

Below are rough average cost estimates for living in Bali for a single person living a modest but comfortable lifestyle (not luxury and not backpacker level).

Profile	Monthly Budget	Notes
Local on modest income	$400–700 (IDR 6.4M–11.2M)	Shared housing, local food, minimal going out
Frugal expat / nomad	$800–1,200 (IDR 12.8M–19.2M)	Simple house or room, mix of local & Western food, scooter rental
Comfortable expat	$1,300–2,000 (IDR 20.8M–32M)	Nice villa, eating out often, private health insurance
High-end lifestyle	$2,500+ (IDR 40M+)	Designer villa, frequent fine dining, trips, private driver

Read More: Planning to Move to Bali Permanently? Start Here (2026)

Category of Spending in Bali

There are several categories of regular spending in Bali, as shown below.

Rent per month takes the largest portion, followed by groceries and dining out. Below is a breakdown of average spending for each category.

1. Housing and Rent

For foreigners, housing is usually the largest part of their cost of living in Bali. It can range from IDR 18M to IDR 56M ($1,070 – $3,340) per month.

Property prices in Bali depend heavily on:

• Chosen area
• Number of bedrooms
• Layout and amenities (swimming pool, gourmet kitchen, spa, jacuzzi, karaoke room, etc.)
• Distance from tourist attractions
• Rental status (short-term or yearly)

From our experience and market observation, buying a leasehold villa or renting long-term (25–30 years) often gives better value compared to short-term rentals. You can take a closer look at our breakdown of Bali villa rental prices for more detailed insights.

Since foreigners cannot legally own freehold property, most use leasehold arrangements or long-term rentals. But don’t worry. You can simplify the entire process—from finding the right villa in Bali that fits your budget and needs to checking the property’s legality. Bali Villa Realty is here to help.

Browse our Bali villas for sale to discover your dream property, or speak with one of our agents for free and receive personalized recommendations tailored to you.

2. Utilities and Internet

• Utilities (electricity, water, garbage): around $50–$85 (IDR 800K–1.36M) per month
• Internet (50 Mbps+ home connection): around $20–$25 (IDR 320K–400K) per month
• Banjar fees: vary depending on local regulations.

Many villas include some utilities in the rent. Always check what is included.

3. Food Cost

Food costs vary greatly depending on whether you eat mostly local or Western food, and whether you cook or dine out.

If you eat like many locals, food costs can be around $150–$250 (IDR 2.4M–4M) per month.

• Local lunch in a warung: $2.5–$3.5 (IDR 40K–56K)
• Simple fast-food meal: $4 (IDR 64K)
• Street snacks, coffee, juices: often under $1–$2 (IDR 16K–32K)

If you prefer cafes and Western groceries:

• Dinner for two (mid-range): $25–$30 (IDR 400K–480K)
• Cappuccino: from $2.4 (IDR 38K)
• Beer: $2.5–$3 (IDR 40K–48K)

If cooking Western food at home, you can budget $200–$350 (IDR 3.2M–5.6M) per month.

4. Transport

Most people in Bali use a scooter because public transportation is limited, and it gives them more flexibility to get around the island’s small roads—especially when going to beaches or rural areas

• Scooter rental: $140 (IDR 2.24M) per month
• Petrol: $0.80–$0.90 (IDR 13K–14K) per liter
• Taxi ride: starts at less than $1 (IDR 16K) per kilometer, though tourist areas can be higher

5. Gym Membership

If staying active is part of your routine, Bali has plenty of gym options. Monthly memberships usually range from IDR 700,000 to over IDR 2,500,000 ($42–$149) depending on how upscale the gym is, its location (Canggu or Seminyak tend to be pricier), and the facilities offered.

A good, modern gym typically costs around IDR 1,500,000–2,000,000 ($89–$119) per month. If you prefer a more premium experience—think luxury fitness clubs or specialized training facilities—you could be looking at IDR 4,000,000+ ($238) per month.

6. Healthcare

Healthcare in Bali is generally much more affordable than in Western countries—often 3–5 times cheaper for standard treatments. A visit to a private clinic for a GP consultation usually costs around $45–$80 (IDR 755,000 - 1,3M), while specialist appointments range between $50–$100 (IDR 840,000 - 1,6M).

That said, serious hospital stays can add up, typically costing around $130–$500 (IDR 2,1M - 8,4M) per night. Because of this, many expats choose private health insurance or reputable international clinics to avoid so-called “tourist rates” and ensure higher-quality care.

7. Clothing

Clothing costs can vary depending on where you shop. At local markets, you can find t-shirts for IDR 40,000–75,000 ($2.4 - $4.5), shorts for IDR 35,000–100,000 ($2 - $6), and dresses for IDR 40,000–250,000 ($2.4 - $15)—and bargaining is common.

If you’re after better-quality pieces, boutique brands, or tailored linen outfits, prices are naturally higher but still reasonable compared to Western countries. Specialty items usually range from IDR 100,000 to 350,000+ ($6 - 21+).

8. Other Services

Here are some everyday costs you might expect:

• Cinema ticket: around $4 (IDR 67,000)
• Simple haircut: about $3–$4 (IDR 50,000 - 67,000)
• Laundry (wash, dry, fold): $0.60 - $2 per kg (IDR 10,000 - 35,000). Local laundries are usually cheaper (often under IDR 15,000 per kg), while express or villa pick-up services—especially in expatriate areas like Canggu and Seminyak—can range from IDR 35,000 to 75,000 ($2 - $4.5) per kg.

Cost of Living in Bali for Different Situations

Cost for an Expat Family

For a family of four, living in Bali comfortably usually costs around $3,000 - $5,000+ (IDR 50M - 84M) per month, depending mostly on housing, schooling, and overall lifestyle choices.

Education is often the biggest expense. International school tuition can range from $8,000 to $20,000+ (IDR 134M - 336M) per child per year. Some families choose homeschooling as a more affordable option, which typically costs around $500 – $700 (IDR 8,4M - 11,8M) per child.

Read More: 5 Best Bali International School for Expat Families 2026: Full Guide

Cost for Digital Nomads

Most digital nomads spend between $1,000 and $2,000 (IDR 16M - 33M) per month for a comfortable setup in Bali.

If you’re keeping things simple, you might manage on around $900 (IDR 15M). On the other hand, a more upscale lifestyle—with private villas, frequent dining out, and premium co-working spaces—can easily exceed $2,500 (IDR 42M) per month.

Read More: Thinking of Living in Bali as a Digital Nomad? Read This First

Cost for Retirees

Bali attracts many retirees because their savings often go much further here than in higher-income countries.

A retired couple who is happy with local food and a mid-range villa can live comfortably on around $1,300 - $2,000 (IDR 21M - 33M) per month.

If you prefer premium villas, frequent travel, and high-end private hospitals, budgeting closer to $2,500 –$3,500+ (IDR 42M - 58M) per month is more realistic.

Read More: Retiring in Bali Guide for Foreigners (2026): Places, Costs, and Steps

Comparing the Cost of Living in Bali

To understand whether Bali is truly affordable, it helps to compare it with other countries. In this case, we're comparing Bali with Australia and United State

Bali vs United States

Data from several cost comparison platforms shows that Bali is significantly cheaper than major U.S. cities.

• One dataset suggests Bali’s overall cost of living is roughly 73% lower than New York City, with estimated monthly expenses for a single person at about $1,134 (IDR 19M) in Bali compared to $4,203 (IDR 70M) in NYC.
• Rent, restaurant meals, transportation, and childcare are especially more affordable in Bali.

Bali vs Australia

The comparison with Australia shows a similar trend. Rent, dining out, and transportation are generally far cheaper in Bali than in cities like Sydney or Melbourne.

However, some imported goods can cost the same—or even more—than in Australia.

Many Australians living in Bali report spending only 40–60% of what they would typically spend back home, depending on their lifestyle.

Example Monthly Budgets

To make things more practical, here are two simplified sample budgets for a single person living in Bali.

1) Frugal Expat (Around $900–$1,000 / IDR 15M - 16,8M per Month)

• Rent (simple room or local house): $300 (IDR 5M)
• Utilities & internet: $70 (IDR 1,2M)
• Food (mostly local meals + some groceries): $250 (IDR 4,2M)
• Scooter + petrol: $70 (IDR 1,2M)
• Basic health insurance: $80 (IDR 1,3M)
• Miscellaneous (phone, gym, coffee, visa costs averaged, short trips): $150 (IDR 2,5M)

💡 Total: roughly $920 (IDR 15,5M) per month.

2) Comfortable Expat (Around $1,600–$1,800 / IDR 26M - 30M per Month)

• Rent (nice 1–2 bedroom villa): $700 (IDR 11M)
• Utilities & internet: $100 (1,7M)
• Food (mix of home cooking and Western cafés): $400 (IDR 6,7M)
• Scooter or occasional driver: $100 (IDR 1,7M)
• Better health insurance coverage: $150 (IDR 2,5M)
• Miscellaneous (gym, co-working, hobbies, shopping, short trips): $250 – $350 (IDR 4,2M - 5,9M)

💡 Total: around $1,700 – $1,800 (IDR 28M - 30M) per month.

These examples highlight one important point: lifestyle choices make the biggest difference in your monthly expenses.

Smart Tips to Manage Your Cost of Living in Bali

• Be strategic about location. Living 5–10 minutes farther from the beach can significantly reduce rent while still offering a great lifestyle.
• Consider annual rentals. Long-term leases are usually much cheaper per month than short-term stays or Airbnb-style rentals.
• Eat local. Shopping at markets and eating at warungs keeps food costs low and supports local businesses.
• Have proper health insurance. Major medical issues can be expensive, so don’t rely only on low-cost clinic visits.
• Plan for visa expenses. Extensions, sponsorship fees, or visa runs should be included in your annual budget.

Read More: How to Select the Best Locations to Invest in Bali

Conclusion

Bali can be significantly more affordable than countries like the United States or Australia. However, your real cost of living depends on where you stay, your lifestyle preferences, and how much comfort you expect.

With smart planning—choosing the right rental, budgeting for healthcare and visas, and understanding your priorities—living in Bali can offer a high quality of life at a fraction of the cost of many Western countries.

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