Sydney vs Bali
Cost of Living Comparison 2026
Bali is ~77% cheaper overall
Numbeo 2026 country rankings (cost indices) and OECD 2025 PPP rates · Reviewed April 2026
Sydney
Australia
COL+Rent
69.7
Rent Index
54.9
Groceries
86.8
Restaurant
78.3
Bali
Indonesia
COL+Rent
16
Rent Index
8
Groceries
30.9
Restaurant
13.9
Monthly Cost Comparison
| Category | Sydney | Bali | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR City) | $2,442 | $299 | +$2,143 |
| Rent (1BR Outside) | $1,822 | $202 | +$1,620 |
| Groceries | $483 | $170 | +$313 |
| Restaurant Meal | $25 | $3 | +$22 |
| Transit Pass | $114 | $10 | +$104 |
| Utilities | $171 | $39 | +$132 |
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | Sydney | Bali |
|---|---|---|
| Minimal | $2,545/mo | $382/mo |
| Typical | $3,585/mo | $563/mo |
| Comfortable | $4,423/mo | $687/mo |
Purchasing Power Equivalence
| Budget in Sydney | ≈ in Bali | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| $1,500/mo | $344/mo | -$1,156 |
| $2,000/mo | $459/mo | -$1,541 |
| $3,000/mo | $689/mo | -$2,311 |
Detailed Budget Analysis
See exactly how specific monthly budgets break down in each city:
Analysis: Sydney vs Bali for Expats & Remote Workers
Our data shows Bali is approximately 77% more affordable than Sydney when combining rent and daily living costs. Sydney's COL+Rent Index of 69.7 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 Sydney costs $2,442/month versus $299/month in Bali — giving Bali a $2,143/month advantage on housing alone. Over a full year, this rent difference alone amounts to $25,716 in annual savings.
Day-to-day costs tell a more nuanced story. Groceries in Sydney ($483/mo) vs Bali ($170/mo) reflect Bali's lower food prices, while restaurant meals at $25 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.