Thread: Cost of living for a family in Bali

Since this question comes up so often I decided (after reading Jimbo's suggestion) to copy and paste Matsaleh's fantastic post on the cost of living in Bali for a typical family and stick it to the cost of living forum. Note that inflation in Indonesia is quite high and these costs are only going to increase, but hopefully we can adjust the prices mentioned here as they go up.

I'll try to fill in some of the blanks for you. I'll use an exchange rate of Rp8700 to US$1, as that's the rate on the street today.

Housing: This will entirely depend on where you want to live and the type of accommodation you require. For example, a small two bedroom furnished or semi-furnished house in the south of Bali (Seminyak / Kerobokan/ Canggu/ Sanur) will cost a minimum of $6000 per year or $500 per month. If you want a pool, you'll need to add a few thousand per year to that figure. Away from south Bali, rental prices are a good bit cheaper, but of course it will depend on where you're employed.

Food: Again, this will depend on where you like to eat; in local warungs, in cafes or restaurants or at home or a mixture of all three. To live comfortably, maybe going to a cafe two or three times a week and eating at home rest of the week, a family of 3 could comfortably live on say, $500 a month, maybe a bit less.

Internet: Speedy internet connection for unlimited usage with a reasonable speed (supposedly 1 Mbps downstream dan 256 kbps upstream, but I never get anything like those speeds) is Rp645.000 or $75 a month for a family package. Maybe you could get by with a cheaper package. You can check here: Koneksi Internet Broadband Unlimited Cepat Murah & Free HotSpot - TelkomSpeedy

Transport: To buy a reasonable second-hand family car (maybe 3 or 4 years old) will set you back approximately Rp100 to 150 million or $12 to 18,000. New car prices start at around Rp200 million. At present, petrol /gasoline is subsidised, so the cost of running a car would be in the vicinity of Rp1.5 to 1.8 million or $175 to 200 a month, including gas and servicing. Again, this will depend on where you live, how far you have to travel to work and how much running around you do. You could also rent a car for around Rp2 million or $225 a month.

Electricity: If you run 2 or 3 air-conditioners for half the day and have hot water showers, a pool filter and energy-saving lighting, your electricity charges would be around Rp300 to 500.000 or $35 to 60 per month. Less if you only use fans for cooling.

Now for the other costs.

Visas: Unless you and your family are sponsored by a company who will foot the bill for a family Kitas and work permit, you will need to apply for sosial budaya visa from your home country and will then need to extend this every 30 days after the initial 60 days entry visa. The charges for these visas for a family of 3 - approximately Rp1.8 million or just over $200 per month. After 6 months, you will need to leave the country to apply for a new sosial budaya.

Visa runs to Singapore: For a family of 3 - between $700 and 1000 every 6 months for airfares, accommodation and application fee for new sosial budaya.

Schooling for your child? You say you're a family of 3, so I'm assuming you have a child. There's a previous thread which covers the costs of schooling here: schools in bali
and another one here: Searching for a good International School
This will be, by far, your biggest expense.

Banjar (village) & rubbish collection Fees: approximately $10 a month

Donations to your banjar: anywhere between $5 and 20 a month

Pembantu/maid: Rp1 million or $115.00 a month

LPG for your stove/cooker: About $5 to 10 a month

Alcohol: If you like to have a drink, you will find alcohol is very expensive in Indonesia. For example, a bottle of Smirnoff vodka is around Rp400 to 450.000 or $45 to 50. Local vodka is disgusting and smells like benzin! Beer is cheaper, about $3.00 for a large bottle of Bintang. Or, if you're brave you could try the local brew, Arak.

I haven't included any entertaining in the above budget and I've probably forgotten a whole load of other things. Maybe some other members can add their input and correct me if I've over/underestimated any of the above.

Here are a couple of related threads which could also be useful for anyone thinking about moving to Bali:

How to live in Bali short term on a budget?

Is this possible?

This should be a sticky

Originally Posted by Tiggy

This should be a sticky

It is

Know this originally became a sticky in 2/10...

Feel like I'm seriously getting set up to price gouged on a 2+2 rental in Ubud. What's the going rate these days in Ubud?? Canggu??

Thanks so much!

lc

THANK YOU so much Scout!!

THAT is an entirely reasonable ballpark to work with! I am interested in acquiring a 2+2 + some ac, view, pool optional, washer would be nice, able to connect internet, auto accessible property in Ubud for Rp7 mil/month.

Would appreciate anyone who might be able to assist with that. I've already "released" the realtor I was working with.

lc

Hello, I understand perfectly that wine is expensive in Bali, but 'if needed' where is the best place to get it?

from bootleg made
pm me an i'll give you the number

i reckon absolute minimum now for villa in Canggu/Seminyak/Kerobokan (western style, pool, 2-3 bedrooms) is 120 million a year, and most seem to be around 150 million mark and up (I say this because I motorbike past hundreds of signs a day when i take my kids to school).

As for car rental, a brand new Avanca will cost you 3 mill per month, 2.8 mill for an older model.

Originally Posted by phil170258

from bootleg made
pm me an i'll give you the number

wish I could pm you - I have to get up to 10 postings, and when I do, I'll be in touch! Thank you!