Milan vs Bali
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~72% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Milan
Italy
COL+Rent
57
Rent Index
40.6
Groceries
65.5
Restaurant
64.5
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Milan | Bali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $1,798 | $299 | +$1,499 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,262 | $202 | +$1,060 |
| Groceries | $372 | $170 | +$202 |
| Restaurant Meal | $21 | $3 | +$18 |
| Transit Pass | $42 | $10 | +$32 |
| Utilities | $239 | $39 | +$200 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Milan | Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $1,887/mo | $382/mo |
| Typical | $2,766/mo | $563/mo |
| Comfortable | $3,425/mo | $687/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Milan | ≈ in Bali | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $421/mo | -$1,079 |
| $2,000/mo | $561/mo | -$1,439 |
| $3,000/mo | $842/mo | -$2,158 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Milan vs Bali for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 72% more affordable than Milan when combining rent and daily living costs. Milan's COL+Rent Index of 57 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 Milan costs $1,798/month versus $299/month in Bali — giving Bali a $1,499/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $17,988 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Milan ($372/mo) vs Bali ($170/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $21 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.