Bali vs Malmö
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~54% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bali | Malmö | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $299 | $756 | $457 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $202 | $594 | $392 |
| Groceries | $170 | $260 | $90 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $13 | $10 |
| Transit Pass | $10 | $71 | $61 |
| Utilities | $39 | $79 | $40 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bali | Malmö |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $382/mo | $978/mo |
| Typical | $563/mo | $1,361/mo |
| Comfortable | $687/mo | $1,721/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bali | ≈ in Malmö | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $3,291/mo | +$1,791 |
| $2,000/mo | $4,388/mo | +$2,388 |
| $3,000/mo | $6,581/mo | +$3,581 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bali vs Malmö for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 54% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Bali's COL+Rent Index of 16 vs Malmö's 35.1 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a meaningful difference that adds up over months of living expenses.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Bali costs $299/month versus $756/month in Malmö — giving Bali a $457/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $5,484 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bali ($170/mo) vs Malmö ($260/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $13 show Bali is the better value for dining out. For digital nomads and remote workers who eat out frequently, this difference compounds quickly.
Bottom line: If you earn in a strong currency (USD, EUR, GBP) and work remotely, Bali offers meaningfully better value — your typical monthly budget of $563 buys a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings. Use the purchasing power table above to see exactly how far your specific budget stretches in each city.