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Bali vs Phuket cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money · Updated September 2026
🇮🇩 Bali
🇹🇭 PhuketBali is 15% cheaper than Phuket
Living on $1,765 a month in Bali feels like about $1,792 in Phuket — same standard of living, compared by feel rather than exchange rate.
Per day
$71.9 vs $92.3
Per month
$1,765 vs $1,792
Local meal
Rp 35,000 vs ฿ 90
$2.15 vs $2.73
Taxi 5 km
Rp 30,000 vs ฿ 78
$1.84 vs $2.36
At a glance
FoodBali 23% cheaper
Cafés & drinksBali 15% cheaper
TransportBali 36% cheaper
StayBali 9% cheaper
FunBali 20% cheaper
- Where Bali is clearly cheaper: Transit (49%↓), Scooter rental (33%↓), SIM card (33%↓)
Item by item
| Item | Bali | Phuket | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | Rp 35,000$2.15 | ฿ 90$2.73 | Bali −21% |
| Street food1 item | Rp 16,000$0.98 | ฿ 41$1.24 | Bali −21% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | Rp 180,000$11 | ฿ 500$15.2 | Bali −27% |
| Coffeeone cup | Rp 40,000$2.45 | ฿ 90$2.73 | Bali −10% |
| Beerone bottle | Rp 45,000$2.76 | ฿ 110$3.33 | Bali −17% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | Rp 120,000$7.36 | ฿ 290$8.79 | Bali −16% |
| Bottled water | Rp 5,000$0.31 | ฿ 12$0.36 | Bali −16% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | Rp 13,000$0.8 | ฿ 30$0.91 | Bali −12% |
| Taxi5 km in town | Rp 30,000$1.84 | ฿ 78$2.36 | Bali −22% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | Rp 28,000$1.72 | ฿ 82$2.48 | Bali −31% |
| Transitone ride | Rp 10,000$0.61 | ฿ 40$1.21 | Bali −49% |
| Scooter rentalper day | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 330$10 | Bali −33% |
| Hotel night3-star | Rp 700,000$42.9 | ฿ 1,800$54.5 | Bali −21% |
| Studio rent (month) | Rp 8,000,000$491 | ฿ 15,000$455 | Phuket −7% |
| Laundry | Rp 22,000$1.35 | ฿ 61$1.85 | Bali −27% |
| SIM card1 week data | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 330$10 | Bali −33% |
| Haircutcut | Rp 59,000$3.62 | ฿ 140$4.24 | Bali −15% |
| Massage1 hour | Rp 170,000$10.4 | ฿ 410$12.4 | Bali −16% |
| Half-day tourper person | Rp 560,000$34.4 | ฿ 1,200$36.4 | Bali −6% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | Rp 110,000$6.75 | ฿ 330$10 | Bali −33% |
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 Phuket?
Bali is 15% cheaper than Phuket. Daily budget $71.9 vs $92.3; a month $1,765 vs $1,792.
How do monthly costs compare between Bali and Phuket?
With a short-term studio and living costs, Bali is about $1,765 and Phuket about $1,792 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.