The Real Cost of Living in Bali As a Tourist or Digital Nomad

It’s a dreamy thought: sipping coconut water in a hammock between Zoom meetings, sunset walks on the beach after a yoga class, renting a villa with a pool for less than your studio back home.

And the truth? It’s possible. But not without nuance.

Whether you’re planning a month-long escape or considering a semi-permanent move, understanding the real cost of living in Bali is essential—not just for your wallet, but for how you experience the island.

Because while the sunsets are free, the reality of daily life comes with decisions, trade-offs, and local rhythms you’ll want to understand.

So let’s break it down—not as a spreadsheet, but as a story of what it really feels like to live in Bali.

What Kind of Lifestyle Are We Talking About?

Before diving into numbers, we need to define the context. Are you:

• A tourist staying for 1–3 weeks in midrange accommodations?

• A remote worker staying 1–3 months and renting a scooter, café hopping?

• A digital nomad setting up longer-term in a villa with co-working access?

Your lifestyle impacts everything—from how much you pay for accommodation in Bali, to what you spend on food, transport, and even how you socialize.

In this article, we’ll cover both ends of the spectrum: budget-conscious travelers and those opting for mid-level comfort with a few luxuries sprinkled in.

Accommodation – From Homestays to Pool Villas

Housing is the biggest variable in your Bali living expenses.

Budget Range:

• Homestays or guesthouses (with A/C and private bathroom):
  IDR 3,000,000–6,000,000/month ($200–400 USD)

• Usually located in Ubud, Sanur, or rural areas. Basic but clean and personal.

Midrange Comfort:

• Private villas (1-bedroom with pool, Wi-Fi, and kitchen):
  IDR 8,000,000–18,000,000/month ($550–1,200 USD)

• Mostly found in Canggu, Pererenan, Umalas, or Seminyak.

• Prices drop with longer stays or booking directly with local owners.

Luxury or Shared Villas:

• Shared co-living spaces or private 2–3 bedroom homes:
  IDR 20,000,000–40,000,000+/month ($1,300–2,700+ USD)

The key to saving money? Avoid Airbnb middlemen, rent monthly, and ask locals or expat groups for direct leads.

Food – Street, Warung, or Western Café?

This is where Bali can be as cheap or as expensive as you want it to be.

Street Food & Warung Meals:

• Nasi Campur or Mie Goreng at a local warung:
  IDR 15,000–30,000/meal ($1–2 USD)

• Tasty, filling, and part of the real Bali experience.

Midrange Restaurants & Health Cafés:

• Smoothie bowl or salad at Canggu café:
  IDR 60,000–100,000 ($4–7 USD)

• Western-style burger or pasta:
  IDR 80,000–150,000

Groceries:

• Local market produce:
  IDR 100,000–200,000/week for basics

• Imported goods (cheese, granola, wine): price triples

Most digital nomads in Bali end up blending both worlds—morning coffee in a hip café, dinner from a local warung.

Transport – Scooter Life Is Real

Scooters are the backbone of Bali transportation. They’re fast, cheap, and surprisingly fun—if you’re confident on two wheels.

Monthly Scooter Rental:

• IDR 600,000–1,000,000/month ($40–70 USD)

• Gas: around IDR 10,000 per liter (~$0.65)

GoJek/Grab (Ride-Hailing):

• Short trip (2–5 km):
  IDR 10,000–20,000

• Longer trip (Ubud to Canggu):
  IDR 100,000–150,000

Car Rental or Driver:

• Self-drive car rental: IDR 250,000–400,000/day

• Daily driver with car: IDR 500,000–800,000/day

Many visitors opt for scooters + drivers for day trips, which keeps costs down and flexibility high.

SIM Card, Internet, and Co-Working

SIM Card with Data:

• Telkomsel or XL prepaid plan:
  IDR 100,000–150,000/month ($7–10 USD) for 15–25 GB

• 4G is reliable in most areas. 5G is emerging.

Wi-Fi in Villas:

• Most accommodations offer Wi-Fi speeds of 10–50 Mbps.

• Coworking spaces often exceed 100 Mbps.

Coworking Membership:

• Dojo, Outpost, Biliq, Tropical Nomad:

  • Hot desk access:
    IDR 1,500,000–3,000,000/month ($100–200 USD)

  • Daily drop-in: IDR 150,000–250,000

If you’re a remote worker living in Bali, coworking spaces also double as social hubs and networking zones.

Health & Insurance

Bali is relatively affordable for healthcare, but having insurance is still essential.

Basic Clinic Visit:

• Local clinic consultation: IDR 150,000–300,000

• International clinic (BIMC, Siloam):
  IDR 500,000–1,000,000

Travel Insurance:

• World Nomads, SafetyWing, or Genki:
  $40–80/month, depending on coverage

Massage & Wellness:

• Traditional Balinese massage (1 hour): IDR 100,000–200,000

• Yoga classes in Ubud/Canggu: IDR 100,000–150,000/class

• Monthly yoga membership: IDR 1,000,000–1,500,000

Wellness is affordable and widely accessible—one of the reasons many people move to Bali for lifestyle improvement.

Entertainment, Social Life, and Extras

Nightlife & Drinks:

• Beer at a beach bar: IDR 35,000–50,000

• Cocktail at upscale lounge: IDR 120,000+

• Club entry: often free, but drinks can add up fast

Tours & Day Trips:

• Group snorkeling tour: IDR 400,000–600,000

• Mount Batur sunrise trek: IDR 500,000–800,000

• Temple & waterfall private tour: IDR 600,000–1,000,000

Workshops & Cultural Activities:

• Cooking class: IDR 350,000–700,000

• Batik, silver, or wood carving: IDR 300,000–500,000

Bali offers immersive, low-cost activities if you stay curious and local.

Monthly Summary – A Realistic Budget Breakdown

Budget Traveler (Simple Room, Local Eats):

• Housing: $300

• Food: $150

• Scooter + gas: $50

• Data: $10

• Extras (massage, activities): $100
  → Total: $600–700/month

Midrange Digital Nomad (Villa, Café Life, Co-working):

• Housing: $800–1,200

• Food: $300

• Scooter + Grab: $100

• Coworking: $150

• Insurance: $60

• Extras (yoga, workshops, social life): $300
  → Total: $1,600–2,200/month

It’s possible to live in Bali for less than $1,000/month. It’s also easy to spend more. The key is knowing your needs and respecting local prices.

Local Tip: Price vs. Respect

It’s tempting to bargain hard or find “cheap everything.” But remember: affordability doesn’t mean exploitation.

Pay fair prices at warungs. Tip your driver. Support local artisans.

You’ll find that generosity and authenticity are often returned tenfold—that is what makes living in Bali beautiful.

Bali Is Affordable, But That’s Not the Whole Story

The real cost of living in Bali? It’s not just in rupiah. It’s in attention, in awareness, in how you show up.

You can live cheaply but richly. Or spend freely and miss the soul.

So yes, run the numbers. But also ask: How do I want to feel while I’m here? Safe? Inspired? Grounded?

Because that’s the cost that matters most—and Bali, when met with heart, always gives more than it takes.