Cost of Living in Bali (2026): Monthly Budgets for Singles, Couples and Families

Most pages about the cost of living in Bali give you one tidy number. That number is usually wrong for you, because a single surfer in a guesthouse and a family of four in a pool villa near a school are living on two different islands, financially speaking.

So we did this differently. Rent figures on this page come from the villas we have listed right now, not from a survey or a forum thread. Every other figure has a dated source at the bottom of the page. Where we had to make an assumption, we say so. And if you are still deciding whether to move at all, start with our complete guide to moving to Bali.

One thing to know up front: our listings are private villas, mostly with pools. If you are happy in a room in a guesthouse or a local-style house without a pool, you can live for less than the budgets below.

How much does it cost to live in Bali per month?

A single person living comfortably in a one-bedroom villa spends about US$1,800 to $2,650 a month. A couple in a two-bedroom villa spends about US$3,000 to $4,800. A family of four in a three or four-bedroom villa spends about US$4,400 to $8,000, plus school fees. Rent, food and school fees make up most of every budget.

Here is the full Bali cost of living breakdown in US dollars. Each range runs from a careful budget to a comfortable one.

Monthly cost (US$)	Single	Couple	Family of four
Rent (yearly lease, villa)	900 to 1,200	1,400 to 2,100	1,750 to 3,250
Food and groceries	300 to 500	600 to 900	1,000 to 1,500
Transport	100 to 130	170 to 260	250 to 600
Utilities and internet	80 to 120	120 to 200	200 to 350
Health insurance	60 to 160	160 to 350	300 to 700
Visa costs, spread over 12 months	90 to 135	180 to 270	300 to 450
Household help	0	0 to 210	210 to 420
Leisure, gym, coworking	250 to 400	350 to 550	400 to 700
Total before school fees	1,780 to 2,645	2,980 to 4,840	4,410 to 7,970
International school, 2 children			740 to 3,220 (lower and mid-priced schools)

A few notes on how we built this, because the method matters more than the totals.

Rent for couples and families comes from our own yearly listings in the Canggu area, converted from euros. The single-person rent uses a one-bedroom villa in Canggu at US$900 to $1,200, the same range we use in our moving guide, because we rarely list one-bedroom homes for yearly rent.

Food, fuel, electricity and wages come from Indonesian government and market data dated October and November 2026. Insurance and visa figures come from insurers and visa agents and are dated in the sources.

The family range doesn’t include a car you buy, flights home or a big medical bill. Those are real costs, and we come back to them below.

How much is rent in Bali?

On a yearly lease, a 2-bedroom villa in Canggu costs about US$1,400 to $3,100 a month in our current listings, with a median of about US$2,100. A 3 to 4-bedroom villa costs about US$1,750 to $7,100 in Canggu and about US$3,300 to $9,300 in Pererenan and Seseh. Most landlords want the full year paid upfront.

Average rent in Bali hides a huge spread, so we went to the source. We pulled every villa on our yearly rental listings on 5 November 2026, 52 villas in all, and grouped them by area and size. The chart shows each listing as a dot, so you can see how wide the spread is inside one neighbourhood.

Area	Villa size	Listings	Range, US$/month	Median, US$/month
Canggu (Berawa, Batu Bolong, Padonan)	2 bed	6	1,375 to 3,081	2,096
Canggu (Berawa, Batu Bolong, Padonan)	3 to 4 bed	9	1,749 to 7,077	2,456
Pererenan and Seseh	3 to 4 bed	7	3,341 to 9,326	4,163
Umalas and Kerobokan	3 to 4 bed	7	2,331 to 7,910	3,247
Uluwatu and Jimbaran	3 to 4 bed	3	2,048 to 3,497	2,481
Ubud	2 bed	2	1,543 to 2,914
Ubud	3 to 4 bed	2	2,523 to 6,245
Seminyak	3 bed	1	2,981

Yearly rent shown as a monthly figure. Listed in euros and converted at EUR 1 = US$1.1256 (5 November 2026). Areas with fewer than three listings show the range only.

What explains the spread? Mostly three things. Distance to the beach is the first. Then comes whether the villa is new, and whether it sits in a gated community with security and shared staff. In Berawa alone, our 3-bedroom listings run from about US$2,200 to $3,400 a month.

Pererenan and Seseh look expensive here partly because our current stock there skews toward newer, larger villas. Umalas is quieter and greener, and families like the short drive to the Canggu schools.

Bali rent prices also move with the season and with new supply. For a deeper look at what drives villa prices, read our guide to how much it costs to rent a villa in Bali.

Why a yearly lease is cheaper than paying monthly

Paying monthly gives you flexibility, and you pay for it. In our Canggu-area listings, the median 2-bedroom villa on a monthly lease costs US$3,322 a month. On a yearly lease, the median works out to US$2,096 a month, which makes monthly about 58% more expensive. For 3 to 4-bedroom villas the gap is smaller, about 15%.

These are different villas, so treat the gap as a guide, not a rule. The pattern holds, though. Monthly rentals are priced for people who might leave in six weeks, and owners charge for the empty months between tenants.

The catch with a yearly lease is the upfront payment. A villa at US$30,000 a year usually means US$30,000 in one transfer, plus a security deposit. That is a lot of money to commit to a house you haven’t lived in. Our advice: spend your first one or two months on a monthly rental, learn the traffic and the neighbourhoods, then sign a yearly lease once you know where you want to be. Timing matters too, and we cover it in the smart time to lock in a yearly rental in Bali.

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Bali?

For most people staying under five years, renting is cheaper. In our worked example of a 3-bedroom villa in the Canggu area, buying a 25-year leasehold only starts to beat renting from about year 6. Foreigners can’t own freehold land in Bali, so “buying” usually means a leasehold of 20 to 30 years.

Here is the example, using real numbers from our listings:

• Rent: a 3-bedroom villa in Pererenan listed at EUR 37,282 a year, which is about US$41,965 a year.
• Buy: a 3-bedroom leasehold villa in the Canggu area at EUR 350,000 (about US$393,960) with 25 years left. That price sits near the middle of the 3-bedroom Canggu leaseholds we have for sale today.

What does it cost to own the leasehold for five years and then sell it? This is the part most “buy, don’t rent” articles skip.

Cost of owning for 5 years	US$	How we worked it out
Lease years used up	78,792	You use 5 of the 25 years, so the lease is worth a fifth less if prices stay flat
Buying costs	11,819	Assumed 3% for notary, legal checks and due diligence
Selling costs	15,758	Assumed 5% agency commission on the resale price
Upkeep	29,547	Assumed 1.5% of the price per year
Lost interest on your cash	78,792	Assumed 4% a year you could have earned elsewhere
Total cost of owning	214,708
Total cost of renting	209,823	5 years at today’s rent

After five years the two are almost level. After ten, owning costs about US$398,000 against US$420,000 for renting. Buying pulls ahead if you stay longer, if prices rise, or if you rent the villa out while you are away. Renting wins if you leave early or if Bali turns out not to be for you.

We kept prices and rent flat on purpose. If rents keep rising, buying looks better sooner. If you sell into a slow market, it looks worse. Use the example as a way to think, then run your own numbers with a consultant. Before buying anything, read buying property in Bali as a foreigner, or browse our current leasehold villas in Bali.

This is an illustration, not financial advice. Taxes and fees on a leasehold transfer vary, so confirm them with a licensed notary.

How much does food cost in Bali?

A single person spends about US$300 to $500 a month on food, mixing warung meals with cafes and some cooking at home. A family of four spends about US$1,000 to $1,500. Local food is cheap. Imported food, like cheese, wine and breakfast cereal, costs as much as at home or more.

The gap between local and imported food is the whole story here. A plate of nasi campur at a warung costs US$2 to $4. A mid-range restaurant meal runs US$6 to $10 a person, and a nice dinner US$10 to $25 a person (Pacific Prime). The Canggu brunch of a flat white and a smoothie bowl costs several warung plates, and a lot of expats eat it daily without noticing.

Staples at Bali markets are cheap. Here are government-monitored retail prices from 29 October 2026:

Staple in Bali markets	Price (IDR)	Price (US$)
Premium rice, per kg	15,944	0.88
Chicken eggs, per kg	27,536	1.52
Chicken meat, per kg	40,309	2.23
Beef, per kg	122,681	6.77
Cooking oil, per litre (premium packaged)	22,185	1.23
Sugar, per kg	18,259	1.01
Shallots, per kg	25,296	1.40

Source: Indonesian Ministry of Trade SP2KP data via Databoks, 29 October 2026.

The supermarkets aimed at expats in Canggu and Seminyak charge import prices for anything that comes from Australia or Europe. If you cook with what grows here (rice, tempeh, chicken, tropical fruit, vegetables from the morning market), your food bill drops fast. If you want your home brands, budget for the high end of our ranges.

How much does transport cost in Bali?

A scooter costs about IDR 1.5 million (US$83) a month to rent, plus around US$17 to $25 a month in fuel. Most single people spend US$100 to $130 a month on transport. Families often add a driver for school runs or longer trips, which pushes transport to US$250 to $600 a month.

Bali has almost no useful public transport, so you will be on a scooter, in a ride-hailing car, or paying a driver.

• Scooter rental: IDR 60,000 to 100,000 a day for a standard 110 to 125cc bike, or around IDR 1.5 million a month for a 155cc automatic (Passport and Stamps, May 2026).
• Fuel: Pertalite costs IDR 10,000 a litre and Pertamax IDR 15,950 a litre in Bali (Pertamina prices, 1 November 2026). A daily scooter commute uses IDR 10,000 to 15,000 of fuel.
• Ride-hailing: a Gojek or Grab car for about 8 km costs around US$4 (Pacific Prime).

Traffic is the hidden cost. At school pickup time, a short trip across Canggu can take far longer than the distance suggests. That is why where you live, and how far it is from school and work, matters more than any line on this page.

How much are utilities and internet in Bali?

Utilities run about US$80 to $120 a month for one person and US$200 to $350 for a family villa with air conditioning and a pool. Electricity is the big variable. Fibre internet starts around IDR 250,000 (US$14) a month.

Electricity in Bali is prepaid or billed by PLN, the state power company, at a fixed price per kilowatt hour. Villas with 3,500 VA or more of connected power, which covers most family villas, pay the higher rate.

PLN household tariff, Oct to Dec 2026	Price per kWh (IDR)
1,300 VA and 2,200 VA	1,444.70
3,500 to 5,500 VA	1,699.53
6,600 VA and above	1,699.53

Source: PLN tariffs for Q4 2026, as reported by Metro TV, 29 October 2026.

In practice, a one-bedroom villa using 250 to 400 kWh a month pays about US$20 to $32. A family villa running several air conditioners and a pool pump can use 700 to 1,400 kWh, or about US$66 to $131 a month. The air conditioning in the bedrooms at night is usually the biggest single user.

For internet, Biznet Home starts at IDR 250,000 a month for 100 Mbps and IDR 375,000 for 300 Mbps (Selular, August 2026 prices for Jakarta, so check coverage and price on your street). Add drinking water deliveries, gas for cooking and a phone plan, and you reach our utilities ranges.

Ask every landlord what is included in the rent. Pool cleaning, garden care and rubbish collection are often included in villa rents, but not always. Electricity usually isn’t.

What does it cost to live in Bali with a family?

A family of four spends about US$4,400 to $8,000 a month before school fees. International school then adds US$4,400 to $36,000 a year per child, depending on the school. For many families, school fees are bigger than the rent.

Primary tuition at Bali’s international schools falls into three bands, based on a January 2026 fee comparison:

School band	Tuition per child per year (IDR)	Per child per year (US$)
Lower-priced schools	80 to 180 million	4,417 to 9,939
Mid-priced schools, such as Bali Island School and Canggu Community School	200 to 350 million	11,044 to 19,326
Premium schools	400 to 650 million or more	22,087 to 35,892+

Fees go up in secondary school and exam years. Registration fees, uniforms, learning support and school buses come on top, and some schools bill the whole year at once.

Choose the school first and the house second. If you rent in Pererenan and your children go to school in Ubud, you will spend a big part of every day in the car. Our guide to the top Green School options and where to live nearby and our page of family homes near international schools in Bali show which areas work for which schools. You can also read how families choose where to live in Bali.

Household help. Many families hire a housekeeper or nanny. Plan on paying at least the regional minimum wage, which for 2026 is IDR 3,791,003 a month in Badung (Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu) and IDR 3,316,798 in Gianyar (Ubud). In Badung that is about US$209 a month for one full-time helper. Indonesian employers also pay a yearly religious holiday bonus (THR) of about one month’s wage, so budget for 13 months, not 12.

Childcare and children’s healthcare. Kids’ insurance, vaccinations and paediatric visits belong in the health insurance line. Daycare and holiday camps vary too much to quote one number, so ask the schools on your shortlist.

How much is health insurance in Bali?

Expat health insurance with medical evacuation costs about US$80 to $250 a month for a healthy adult under 45. Cheaper nomad plans start around US$61 a month. A GP visit at a private clinic costs US$5 to $30. Don’t skip evacuation cover, because a medical flight to Singapore can cost US$5,000 to $20,000.

Bali has good private clinics and hospitals for everyday care, but serious cases often go to Jakarta or Singapore. That is the reason evacuation cover matters.

Health cost	Typical price
Expat health plan with evacuation, adult under 45	US$80 to $250 a month (ExpatLife, October 2026)
Nomad-style travel medical plan, ages 10 to 39	From US$56.28 per 4 weeks, about US$61 a month (SafetyWing via Portail Asie, January 2026)
GP visit at a private clinic	US$5 to $30 (IDR 80,000 to 475,000)
Emergency visit, initial treatment at a private hospital	US$50 to $150
Medical evacuation to Singapore, uninsured	US$5,000 to $20,000
BPJS (state health scheme) for KITAS holders	IDR 35,000 to 150,000 a month

Prices for insurance climb steeply with age. If you are planning to retire here, read what it costs to retire in Bali.

How much do visas cost to live in Bali?

A visa on arrival costs IDR 500,000 (about US$28) for 30 days, extendable once. Living here long term means a stay permit (KITAS). The remote worker KITAS (E33G) costs about US$1,100 to $1,600 a year through an agent, including government fees. Every foreign visitor also pays a one-time IDR 150,000 tourist levy.

Visa or fee	Cost	Notes
Visa on arrival (VOA)	IDR 500,000 (about US$28)	30 days, extendable once for 30 more
Bali tourist levy	IDR 150,000 (about US$8)	Per person, children included, paid once per entry
Remote worker KITAS (E33G), government fees	IDR 8.6 million (about US$475)	IDR 7 million PNBP plus MERP and EPO fees
E33G through an agent, all in	US$1,100 to $1,600 a year	Usually renewed by leaving and reapplying
Second home visa	Proof of funds of about US$130,000	5-year permit, check current rules before applying

Sources: Wego (May 2026), ShareUHack E33G guide (June 2026).

Visa rules in Indonesia change often, and so do fees. Check every figure with a licensed visa agent before you pay anyone. Our complete guide to moving to Bali explains which visa fits which kind of move.

Is Bali cheaper than the US?

For housing, often yes. The typical US asking rent was US$1,962 a month in July 2026, while a one-bedroom villa in Canggu with a pool runs US$900 to $1,200. For families, the gap narrows fast, because private school fees and private health insurance cost money that many Americans don’t pay at home.

So whether the cost of living in Bali, Indonesia, beats home depends on who you are:

• Remote workers earning in dollars get the best deal. Rent, food and household help all cost far less than in a US city.
• Families often spend about the same as at home once school fees and insurance are in, but with a pool, help in the house and a very different life.
• Retirees save most on housing and staff, and spend more on insurance.

The exchange rate helps right now. On 5 November 2026, one US dollar bought IDR 18,110, compared with IDR 16,693 on 1 January. Your dollar budget stretches about 8.5% further than it did at the start of the year. That can reverse, so don’t build a budget that only works at today’s rate.

Is it expensive to live in Bali?

It can be. Bali is cheap if you live like a local and expensive if you live like a tourist. A Western-style life in Canggu, with a pool villa, imported groceries, daily cafes and beach clubs, costs more than people expect. The same island costs far less in a local-style house further from the beach.

The expensive parts are almost always the same: the villa, school fees, imported food and nights out. The cheap parts are local food, fuel, household help and getting a haircut. Your budget comes down to how many of the expensive parts you choose.

10 ways to spend less in Bali

1. Sign a yearly lease once you know the area. In our listings, monthly rents cost 15% to 58% more.
2. Look a few streets back from the beach. Inside Canggu alone, our 3 to 4-bedroom listings range from about US$1,750 to $7,100 a month, and location explains a lot of that gap.
3. Pick the school before the house. The wrong combination costs you in petrol, driver hours and time.
4. Eat at warungs for lunch. If your cafe lunch costs US$15 and a warung plate costs US$3, switching saves about US$360 a month per person.
5. Buy at the morning market. Fruit, vegetables and fish cost a fraction of supermarket prices.
6. Ask what the rent includes. Pool care, garden, cleaning and security add up fast when you pay for them separately.
7. Check the electricity setup before signing. Old air conditioners and a pool pump running all day push the bill up fast.
8. Rent a scooter by the month. A monthly rate works out far cheaper than paying by the day.
9. Get proper insurance once, not cheap insurance twice. One uninsured hospital stay can cost more than years of premiums.
10. Keep your money in the currency you earn in. Convert monthly, not all at once, so one bad exchange rate doesn’t hit your whole year.

Frequently asked questions

How much money do I need per month to live in Bali?

One person needs about US$1,800 to $2,650 a month to live comfortably in a villa. A couple needs about US$3,000 to $4,800. A family of four needs about US$4,400 to $8,000, plus school fees. You can live for less in a guesthouse or a local-style house.

Is Bali cheaper than the US?

Yes for housing, food and household help. A one-bedroom villa in Canggu costs US$900 to $1,200 a month, below the typical US rent of US$1,962. Families save less, because international school fees and private health insurance add costs that many Americans don’t pay at home.

Is it expensive to live in Bali?

Bali is affordable if you eat local food and live slightly away from the beach. It gets expensive with a pool villa in Canggu, imported groceries and international school fees. Rent and schools are what make a Bali budget expensive.

How much is rent in Canggu?

In our current listings, a 2-bedroom villa in Canggu costs about US$1,400 to $3,100 a month on a yearly lease, with a median of about US$2,100. A 3 to 4-bedroom villa costs about US$1,750 to $7,100 a month. Yearly leases are usually paid upfront.

Can a family live in Bali on $3,000 a month?

Yes, but not in a pool villa in Canggu with children in international school. US$3,000 works for a family renting a house outside the main expat areas, cooking at home and using a lower-cost or local school. In our villa-based budget, a family of four starts at about US$4,400 before school fees.