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Relocating to Bali is generally affordable for expats, with lower living costs compared to Western countries. Expenses such as housing, transportation, food, and utilities are budget-friendly, allowing most expats to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without overspending.
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This Pacific Prime guide outlines the key costs of moving to Bali, including relocation fees, rental prices, daily expenses, and healthcare. It also highlights why having comprehensive health insurance is essential when living abroad.
Is Relocating to Bali Expensive for Expats?
A new country and a new home come with their own costs and experiences. However, rents in Bali are reasonable compared to other Southeast Asian countries. Other costs are also budget-friendly and you will not break the bank trying to pay the bills.
Most Westerners would find Bali cost-effective and cheaper than places like the USA and London. Understanding the cost of moving is crucial to making the most of your expat experience.
Let’s take a look at the different costs of living in this comprehensive guide to find out whether or not Bali is expensive for expats.
Breakdown of Relocation Costs to Bali
From packing to shipping and visa fees, moving has its costs. These upfront costs are unavoidable, so learning about them will help you budget for moving to Bali. Be prepared to spend anywhere from USD 1,500-2,000 for your move, this includes your shipping, flights, and the cost of your visa.
Here are some of the costs associated with relocation:
Shipping costs: The cost of shipping depends on the items and the size of the items you want to ship. It can cost you anywhere from a few hundred to thousands of dollars.
Visa fee: The cost of a visa on arrival (VoA) is USD 35. Upon arriving in Bali, you will then be escorted to purchase the visa at the airport before passing through immigration.
Travel insurance: This is a must if you are moving to a new country as an expat and the cost of a comprehensive insurance plan will depend on the cost of your trip. You’ll want to get the best travel insurance for Bali.
Rent and Housing Expenses in Bali for Expats
The cost of renting a house in Bali is around USD 300 – USD 1,000 per month, depending on where you choose to live. While the cost of living in Bali is not very expensive, your house rent will make up the majority of your monthly budget.
For example, a villa in a popular area such as Seminyak may cost more than a small apartment in a less popular area. So, based on your requirements, you need to choose an area that meets your needs and budget without too much hassle.
Everyday Living Costs in Bali
From food to transportation to personal expenses, the cost of living in Bali is quite affordable for expats. Let’s take a look at some of the possible expenses you might face while living in Bali.
Food and Dining Expenses in Bali
You can get all kinds of food in Bali at affordable prices. There’s a wide range of choices to suit all budgets from local warungs to regular restaurants and fine dining places.
Here are some of the costs of local food and restaurants.
Local warungs: Bali’s street food or fast food is sold in small establishments called Warung. These local eateries offer good food for as little as USD 2.
Regular restaurants: A filling meal at a mid-range restaurant will cost you around USD 6 per dish.
Fine dining: If you are in the mood to splurge, Bali offers many fine dining options and each meal here would cost about USD 10-25 per person.
Home cooking: If you prefer to cook at home, groceries for a single person would come up to USD 100 – USD 300 per month.
Transportation Options and Costs
There are so many ways to get from one place to another in Bali, for example, rental bikes and ride-hailing are very popular among expats. You can also get around Bali without emptying your wallet for transportation.
Scooter and bike rentals: Most expats living in Bali choose to rent scooters, and renting a scooter would cost you around USD 70 per month, depending on where you rent your scooter from.
Ride-hailing and taxis: Taxi services such as Go-Jek and Grab are readily available and cost around USD 4.07 for a 5-mile trip.
Utilities and Monthly Bills in Bali
The cost of utilities such as electricity and water is manageable for expats. Note that the prices of such bills vary depending on the usage and size of the property. Let’s take a quick look at the average cost of utilities for expats in Bali.
Electricity: The cost of electricity in Bali is USD 0.09 per Kilowatt hours (kWh) for households. For example, an average electricity bill for a two or three-bedroom house in Bali would cost approximately USD 97.50 and $163 per month.
Water: The average tap water bill in Bali costs approximately USD 6.50 per month, though this may vary depending on the water usage per household.
Personal Lifestyle Expenses for Expats
The costs of your personal expenses depend entirely on your choices and interests. However, Bali has something for everyone. As an expat, you can rest assured that you will find an activity within your budget such as a gym, spa, and nightlife.
Gym or Fitness: Memberships for local gyms or yoga studios would cost around USD 72.1 per month.
Spa: A traditional massage at a local spa will cost about USD 6.77-26.07.
Nightlife: A fun night out in Bali costs about USD 1 – $4 per beer and USD 9-12 for a fancy cocktail at a high-end establishment.
Healthcare Costs and Insurance in Bali
The cost of healthcare in Bali is lower than in most Western countries. However, you must have comprehensive health insurance so that you do not have to pay hospital bills out of your own pocket.
Private Healthcare: An appointment with a specialist in a private hospital will cost around USD 30 – $50.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of living for expats in Bali?
Visa costs are around USD 500 – $800, health insurance is around USD 700 per year, and housing costs USD 300 – $1,000, depending on size and area. The cost of living in Bali is lower than in most Western countries.
How much money will I need to live in Bali, Indonesia?
As an expat, you will need to spend at least USD 1,000-2,000 per month. If you enjoy the finer things in life, the cost of living can go up significantly. Bali has something for everyone and every budget. The exact cost will vary depending on your lifestyle preferences.
How much does property cost in Bali?
To name a few examples of property prices in Bali, a city center 1-bedroom apartment will cost around USD 604, a city center 3-bedroom apartment costs USD 2,266, and a house in the suburbs costs $1,364. Prices will vary depending on the location and size of the property, as well as the property type.
How much does it cost to see a doctor in Bali?
An average doctor consultation in Bali will cost approximately USD 14-28. Exact costs will vary depending on the hospital or clinic’s location and the doctor’s expertise. It’s advisable to have a suitable health insurance plan for financial security in the event of overwhelming medical bills.
Conclusion
Overall, Bali is an affordable destination for most expats. If you are looking for a vibrant place with good food and lots of fun activities, Bali has some of the best places for expats to live. If you are not sure about Bali, there are many other places in Asia to choose from.
Note that comprehensive health insurance can come in handy when accessing healthcare in a foreign country. So be sure to get an international health insurance plan that meets all your needs.
If you are not sure where to look for insurance, contact Pacific Prime. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, the insurance experts at Pacific Prime will help you find a plan that meets your needs.
He graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Arts, Media & Communication major (concentration: Creative Content) from Mahidol University International College (MUIC). During the compulsory major elective period in the summer of 2021 and voluntarily during the summer of 2022, he also interned as a video and photo editor at Mbrella Films.
He has experience working as an English Content Writer at a real estate buying/renting/selling platform in Thonglor. There, he crafted company blog posts on a multitude of topics. Topics include market trends, legal issues and disputes in property businesses, financial guides, expat guides, home insurance, home decoration and maintenance, and weekly real estate news quick-recaps. Occasionally, as part of the blog-writing process, he would also translate existing Thai blogs to English.
In his free time, Guy enjoys doing scriptwriting and storytelling for comic strips, watching movies, and listening to music (particularly film scores).
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