Cost of Living in Bali – Bali is affordable, but on Your Terms

This is the digital nomad minimum – simple, functional, and genuinely doable.

• Room in a guesthouse or homestay: USD 250–500
• Daily meals from local warungs and restaurants: USD 150–250
• Scooter rental and fuel: USD 60–100
• SIM card, Wi-Fi, laundry, small essentials: USD 50–80
• Occasional drinks, yoga, or social events: USD 100+

Local food is where the budget wins. A plate of nasi campur, mie goreng, or fresh juice at a warung costs USD 1–3. Most budget-minded people eat local during the day and treat themselves occasionally in the evenings.

This lifestyle works well away from the tourist corridors. Canggu and Seminyak on a tight budget require more effort than Sanur, Ubud outskirts, or inland towns.

Health insurance – do not skip this

Medical care in Bali can become expensive fast if you need a hospital. Budget around USD 60–80 per month for basic international travel insurance. Some home country policies cover stays up to 90 days – check before you leave.

Medical insurance options for nomads and long-term travelers

This is the most common range for digital nomads and remote workers settling in for a few months.

• Private apartment, simple villa, or co-living: USD 500–1,000 (usually includes electricity and internet)
• Dining – local and Western mix: USD 300–500
• Scooter or ride-app transport: USD 80–150
• Gym, yoga, fitness: USD 100–200
• Weekend trips, shopping, social life: USD 200–300+

At this level you have a private space, eat where you want, go out occasionally, and do not have to count every dollar. This is the range most people find sustainable for a month or longer.

Food at this level

You can mix warungs for daily meals (USD 2–4 per plate) with cafes and mid-range restaurants for brunch or evening meals (USD 8–15). Canggu and Ubud both have a good range of options at this price point.

Health insurance

Budget USD 80–150 per month for solid international coverage.

Medical insurance plans – compare options

• Designer villa with pool and staff: USD 1,500–4,000+
• Dining at international restaurants and beach clubs: USD 600–1,000+
• Private driver or premium transport: USD 300–600
• High-end gym, spa, beauty treatments: USD 200–500
• Evenings out, events, weekend trips: USD 500–2,000

Bali at this level competes with any global city for quality – and usually wins on value. Canggu, Seminyak, and Uluwatu offer the best selection of villas, restaurants, and clubs at this tier.

The alcohol reality

Indonesia applies high import taxes on alcohol. Wine, spirits, and imported beer cost 1.5–3x more than in Western countries. Local alternatives – Arak-based spirits, local gin brands – cost considerably less. If you enjoy wine or cocktails regularly, the BaliCard pays for itself quickly. Most partner venues offer meaningful discounts on food and drinks.

Long-term residents: KITAS and legal fees

If you are staying two years or more, a KITAS (social or investor visa) removes the visa run cycle. Budget USD 3,000–5,000 per year for processing and agent fees. Use a professional agent – the process is not difficult with the right help.

Long-term visa options – KITAS, B211A, and more

For families, the calculation shifts significantly once international school fees are in the picture.

A realistic monthly budget for a family of four: USD 5,000–7,000

• Housing: USD 1,500–3,000 per month (3-bedroom villa)
• International school: USD 1,000–1,500 per child per month
• Household help – housekeeper, gardener, pool: USD 400–600
• Food and groceries for four: USD 800–1,200
• Transport: USD 300–500
• International health insurance: USD 200–300 per adult
• Visas: budget USD 300–400 per month averaged over the year

School fees are the variable that changes the budget most. One child versus two makes a significant difference. Some families opt for alternative or community-based schools at lower cost – these exist and are worth researching.

Living in Bali with children guide

International schools in Bali

To legally ride a scooter or drive a car in Bali, you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your national licence. Driving without one puts you at risk with police and invalidates most insurance policies.

You can order an IDP online before you travel. It starts at around USD 50.

Order your International Driving Permit online

Bali has a good network of international clinics and hospitals. A basic consultation without insurance runs USD 20–80. Hospital stays can become expensive quickly without coverage.

• Basic nomad travel insurance: USD 60–150 per month
• International full coverage: USD 200–400 per month

We recommend having coverage before you arrive.

Medical insurance options and prices

Short-stay visitors on a VOA (30 days, USD 35, extendable once to 60 days) have the lowest visa costs. Longer stays require a B211A social visa or KITAS. Agent fees and renewals add up over time.

Budget USD 50–150 per month depending on your visa type, averaged over the year.

Visa options overview

• Home Wi-Fi: USD 25–60 per month
• Electricity with air conditioning: USD 40–80 per month

Most short-term and monthly rentals include Wi-Fi and electricity. Long-term contracts typically charge separately – confirm before you sign.

Indonesia applies high import taxes on foreign products. Wine, spirits, cheese, and Western groceries at stores like Pepito or Frestive cost 1.5–3x more than in Europe or Australia. Local alternatives are significantly cheaper. Many long-term residents mix imported treats with local alternatives to keep grocery costs manageable.

If you are staying two weeks or more, the BaliCard gives discounts at 200+ restaurants, beach clubs, spas, and activities across Bali. From USD 20 for 15 days. Most people staying a month save more than the card costs in the first week.

The cost of living in Bali ranges from around USD 800 per month for a basic lifestyle to USD 5,000+ for families or high-end living.

As we have seen, depends.

Compared to most countries, the value is real. The quality of life – climate, food, culture, pace – is hard to match at these prices. The key is understanding which costs are fixed (rent, school, insurance) and which you can control (food, transport, activities).

A comfortable solo lifestyle typically costs USD 1,100–1,800 per month. Accommodation, food, and transport are the three main variables.

Yes when stepping into “the backpacker” lifestyle USD 1,000 per month is enough. It’s a sa simple but functional solo lifestyle – a room in a guesthouse, local food, a scooter, and a basic social life. It requires choosing your location carefully. Sanur, Ubud outskirts, or less tourist-heavy areas work better than Canggu or Seminyak at this budget.

USD 1,200–1,800 per month is realistic for a “not so luxurious solo lifestyle”. This covers private accommodation, a mix of local and Western food, transport, gym or yoga, health insurance, and some social spending. Couples sharing accommodation can live comfortably for USD 1,600–2,500.

Most digital nomads spend USD 900–1,500 per month. Canggu is popular but also one of the more expensive areas. Ubud, Sanur, and Uluwatu offer lower costs with good internet and coworking options.

Digital nomad guide to Bali

A family of four with two children in international school typically needs USD 5,000–7,000 per month. School fees of USD 1,000–1,500 per child per month are usually the largest single cost. Family-sized villas run USD 1,500–3,000 per month.

Living in Bali with children

A room in a guesthouse costs USD 250–400 per month. A private one-bedroom villa or apartment runs USD 600–1,200. Mid-range villas with pools start around USD 1,200–2,000. Canggu and Seminyak cost more than Sanur, Tabanan, or Amed.

Yes. Medical care can become expensive quickly if you need hospital treatment. Basic international travel insurance starts at USD 60 per month. We strongly recommend having proper coverage in place before you arrive that also covers you when staying longer than 2 or 3 months.

Medical insurance options and prices for nomads and long-stay travelers

Yes, if you plan to ride a scooter or drive a car. An IDP is legally required in addition to your national licence. You can order one online before you travel. Driving without one risks fines and invalidated insurance.

Order an International Driving Permit online

Imported alcohol is expensive due to Indonesian import taxes. Wine, spirits, and imported beer cost 1.5–3x more than in Western countries. Local alternatives are significantly cheaper. The BaliCard gives discounts at many restaurants and beach clubs if you drink regularly.

Popular areas include Canggu (surf culture, digital nomads, lively), Seminyak (stylish, higher cost), Ubud (nature, culture, quieter), Sanur (family-friendly, calm), and Uluwatu (beaches, slower pace). Most people choose based on lifestyle preference rather than cost alone.

For stays up to 60 days, the B1 Visa on Arrival (USD 35, extendable once) works. For longer stays, the B211A social visa (60 days, renewable) is the most flexible option. For multi-year stays, a KITAS provides more stability. Each has different requirements and costs.

Full overview of visa options for Bali