Malmö vs Bali
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~54% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Malmö
Sweden
COL+Rent
35.1
Rent Index
17.1
Groceries
45.6
Restaurant
42.6
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Malmö | Bali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $756 | $299 | +$457 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $594 | $202 | +$392 |
| Groceries | $260 | $170 | +$90 |
| Restaurant Meal | $13 | $3 | +$10 |
| Transit Pass | $71 | $10 | +$61 |
| Utilities | $79 | $39 | +$40 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Malmö | Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $978/mo | $382/mo |
| Typical | $1,361/mo | $563/mo |
| Comfortable | $1,721/mo | $687/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Malmö | ≈ in Bali | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $684/mo | -$816 |
| $2,000/mo | $912/mo | -$1,088 |
| $3,000/mo | $1,368/mo | -$1,632 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Malmö vs Bali for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 54% more affordable than Malmö when combining rent and daily living costs. Malmö's COL+Rent Index of 35.1 vs Bali's 16 (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 Malmö costs $756/month versus $299/month in Bali — 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 Malmö ($260/mo) vs Bali ($170/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $13 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.