Edinburgh vs Bali
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~60% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
COL+Rent
40.3
Rent Index
20.9
Groceries
49.3
Restaurant
52.2
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Edinburgh | Bali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $930 | $299 | +$631 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $728 | $202 | +$526 |
| Groceries | $282 | $170 | +$112 |
| Restaurant Meal | $18 | $3 | +$15 |
| Transit Pass | $75 | $10 | +$65 |
| Utilities | $172 | $39 | +$133 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Edinburgh | Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,244/mo | $382/mo |
| Typical | $1,729/mo | $563/mo |
| Comfortable | $2,195/mo | $687/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Edinburgh | ≈ in Bali | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $596/mo | -$904 |
| $2,000/mo | $794/mo | -$1,206 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,191/mo | -$1,809 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Edinburgh vs Bali for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 60% more affordable than Edinburgh when combining rent and daily living costs. Edinburgh's COL+Rent Index of 40.3 vs Bali's 16 (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 Edinburgh costs $930/month versus $299/month in Bali — giving Bali a $631/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $7,572 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Edinburgh ($282/mo) vs Bali ($170/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $18 vs $3 show Bali offers cheaper dining. 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.