The Bali Manual 2022 Price Guide will provide you with a useful glimpse into the real cost of living in Bali.
The Bali cost of living continues to rise. Some things have gotten very expensive while others have somehow gotten cheaper! But how will this affect the cost of living in Bali for you?
Even with some items going up wildly in price, it’s unlikely that it will have you questioning living here for some, if not, all of the year.
Some noteworthy trends and observations…
The price of Pertamax, the highest quality petrol available in most gas stations leaped up a whopping 40% at the beginning of April to Rp.12,500 per litre. That’s basically like US gas prices folks. Premium is basically phased out and you’re most likely to find Pertalite as the go-to choice for most cars and motorbikes in Bali. Pertalite is currently priced at Rp. 7,650 – which means the Bali cost of living is still much cheaper than most of the world.
The cost of housing and land continues to astonish – largely to blame new-to-the-island “expats” who overpay substantially. By overpaying, the expectations of other property owners rise substantially. It’s a slippery slope and man, are we sliding down it.
Import product selection continues to grow, as does the availability of locally made artisan products. Stuff that was once hard to come by in Bali, like cheese or pickles, have become increasingly easier to find. As the numbers of expats grows, we see this as a positive trend in the products available to us, albeit costly much of the time.
The cost of living in Bali is much like a see-saw, you’ll spend way more on certain stuff that would be dirt cheap back at home, and then way less on other items.
Lemons, for example, used to cost a LOT, but now they’re farmed in Java and therefore much cheaper than years ago. We like these kinds of trends.
Exchange Rates
The US dollar lingers around the Rp. 14,000 mark for several years now. At the time of writing the conversion is USD1 = Rp. 14,394
The Aussie dollar comes in at AUD1 = Rp. 10,379
For the ever popular digital nomad earning money in USD, life in Bali remains very very cushy due to the Bali cost of living.
Bali Minimum Wage
Provincial minimum wage has increased as the Bali cost of living also increases. In the most expensive area, basically where everyone lives (Badung), the minimum wage is just about Rp.3,000,000 for full time workers. Full list HERE.
Property & Accommodation
Property, especially land price, has gone up more than anything else on the island. The increase of long-term tourists and expat wannabes staying in overpriced places has driven up the price for almost all monthly and yearly accommodations. Leased land is much more affordable than freehold, but people pay the high freehold prices because it’s an actual investment. If you’re a foreigner, you cannot own land in Indonesia. Whatever you may have heard, whatever little loophole or trick, don’t believe it.
We highly recommend that if you’re planning to stay for a long time and lease either empty land or land with a structure, the use of a reputable and licensed real estate agent is highly advised.
If you’re staying for just a few months to 1 year, don’t pay all up front if you don’t have to. Try to rent the place for a month first to make sure there are no issues. Paying a higher monthly rate versus a lower yearly price protects you in the event of an issue. Insider secret – every house in Bali has issues. The required upkeep is often neglected and becomes the tenants responsibility.
Semi-luxurious homestay rooms can cost on average between 3-6 million, while small villas with pools can be found for under 10 million a month. If you’re budgeting between 10-20 million a month you should be finding yourself a truly sick villa.
Food
Western meals continue to rise in cost, as does the quality and diversity of cuisine. There are many fantastic promos and packages around though, be on the look out. Coffee seems oddly overpriced in most places- cappuccinos cost an average of 30k, whereas a solid portion of nasi campur can be had for 15k. It’s all about perspective.
More and more gourmet and specialty ingredients have become available in grocery stores and online shops. The resto scene in Bali is truly a chart topper. There is something for everyone, literally everyone. For those on a budget, you can still find solid western food for good prices.
Soft drinks and bottled water are generally overpriced. Many places are starting to provide free drinking water upon request, which is a great step not only for our wallets, but for the environment. Fresh juices help by supporting farmers and also eliminating unnecessary waste.
Alcohol & Beer
The selection of beer, wine and alcohol continues to grow and the prices have basically stayed the same, with some kinds of alcohol actually getting cheaper. The only exception is some of the newer craft beers. The import craft beers have always been kinda pricy, but the local craft brews are double or triple the cost. Sometimes they’re actually worth it, too!
Arak has changed a lot over the last decade. Infused arak is now the thing. Check out our article on arak.
If you are coming to Bali for retirement mode then we recommend buying your booze from a beverage distributor for the best prices. Home delivery options are very easy to come by!
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