Bali vs Singapore
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~79% 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
Singapore
Singapore
COL+Rent
77.4
Rent Index
73.1
Groceries
75.3
Restaurant
50.4
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Bali | Singapore | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $299 | $3,120 | $2,821 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $202 | $2,280 | $2,078 |
| Groceries | $170 | $410 | $240 |
| Restaurant Meal | $3 | $11 | $8 |
| Transit Pass | $10 | $86 | $76 |
| Utilities | $39 | $166 | $127 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Bali | Singapore |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $382/mo | $2,863/mo |
| Typical | $563/mo | $3,947/mo |
| Comfortable | $687/mo | $4,662/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Bali | ≈ in Singapore | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $7,256/mo | +$5,756 |
| $2,000/mo | $9,675/mo | +$7,675 |
| $3,000/mo | $14,513/mo | +$11,513 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Bali vs Singapore for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 79% more affordable than Singapore when combining rent and daily living costs. Bali's COL+Rent Index of 16 vs Singapore's 77.4 (both measured against New York City = 100) reflects a substantial gap that significantly impacts long-term savings and lifestyle quality.
Housing is the biggest differentiator: a city-center one-bedroom in Bali costs $299/month versus $3,120/month in Singapore — giving Bali a $2,821/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $33,852 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Bali ($170/mo) vs Singapore ($410/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $3 vs $11 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.