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Bali vs Medan cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฎ๐ฉ Bali
๐ฎ๐ฉ Medan
At a glance
- Where Medan is clearly cheaper: Studio rent (month) (65%โ), Entry ticket (53%โ), Half-day tour (50%โ)
- Where Bali is clearly cheaper: Transit (20%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Biggest gap: language โ Bali 2 vs Medan 4. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | Bali | Medan | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Rp 30,000$1.84 | Medan โ14% |
| Street food1 item | Rp 20,000$1.23 | Rp 20,000$1.23 | similar |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rp 175,000$10.7 | Rp 120,000$7.36 | Medan โ31% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rp 40,000$2.45 | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Medan โ12% |
| Beerone bottle | Rp 40,000$2.45 | Rp 45,000$2.76 | Bali โ11% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rp 120,000$7.36 | Rp 100,000$6.13 | Medan โ17% |
| Bottled water | Rp 5,000$0.31 | Rp 4,000$0.25 | Medan โ20% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rp 10,000$0.61 | Rp 7,000$0.43 | Medan โ30% |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Rp 35,000$2.15 | similar |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rp 15,000$0.92 | Rp 15,000$0.92 | similar |
| Transitone ride | Rp 4,000$0.25 | Rp 5,000$0.31 | Bali โ20% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rp 75,000$4.6 | Rp 80,000$4.91 | Bali โ6% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rp 800,000$49.1 | Rp 550,000$33.7 | Medan โ31% |
| Studio rent (month) | Rp 10,000,000$613 | Rp 3,500,000$215 | Medan โ65% |
| Laundry | Rp 15,000$0.92 | Rp 8,000$0.49 | Medan โ47% |
| SIM card1 week data | Rp 150,000$9.2 | Rp 100,000$6.13 | Medan โ33% |
| Haircutcut | Rp 60,000$3.68 | Rp 40,000$2.45 | Medan โ33% |
| Massage1 hour | Rp 120,000$7.36 | Rp 120,000$7.36 | similar |
| Half-day tourper person | Rp 500,000$30.7 | Rp 250,000$15.3 | Medan โ50% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rp 75,000$4.6 | Rp 35,000$2.15 | Medan โ53% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, Bali or Medan?
Medan is 43% cheaper than Bali. Daily budget $78.6 vs $57.3; a month $2,107 vs $874.
Which is easier to travel, Bali or Medan?
About the same: Bali 3.0/5, Medan 3.0/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between Bali and Medan?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bali is about $2,107 and Medan about $874 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.