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Bali vs Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 13% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 173 USD a month.

A Beautiful View of Kelingking Beach at Nusa penida
Bali
$1,344/month · Indonesia
Dini Rosyadah Tridya · CC BY-SA 4.0
The bright lights of Bukit Bintang.
Kuala Lumpur
$1,171/month · Malaysia
Will Simmonds from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, China · CC BY 2.0
Bali monthly
$1,344
Index 21 (NYC = 100)
Kuala Lumpur monthly
$1,171
Index 18 (NYC = 100)
Difference
-13%
Kuala Lumpur relative to Bali
Rent gap
$100
Bali costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BaliKuala Lumpur
  • Housing
    Housing: Bali $700, Kuala Lumpur $600. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Food
    Food: Bali $344, Kuala Lumpur $300. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Transport
    Transport: Bali $44, Kuala Lumpur $40. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Bali $85, Kuala Lumpur $86. Cheaper in Bali.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Bali $14, Kuala Lumpur $14. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Bali $108, Kuala Lumpur $90. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
  • Other
    Other: Bali $48, Kuala Lumpur $42. Cheaper in Kuala Lumpur.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBaliKuala Lumpur
Cost
Total monthly cost1,344 USD1,171 USD✓
Cost index (New York = 100)2118✓
Housing700 USD600 USD✓
Utilities85 USD✓86 USD
Food344 USD300 USD✓
Transport44 USD40 USD✓
Healthcare14 USD14 USD✓
Lifestyle108 USD90 USD✓
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,833 USD✓5,698 USD
Effective tax + social rate30.0%✓31.6%
Left over each month4,489 USD4,527 USD✓
Average local net salary400 USD1,000 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre700 USD600 USD✓
3-bed rent, city centre1,500 USD1,300 USD✓
Buy price per m², centre2,600 USD2,600 USD
Quality of life
Safety66/10068/100✓
Healthcare54/10076/100✓
Air quality60/100✓50/100
Public transport15/10070/100✓
Walkability35/10058/100✓
English proficiency66/10084/100✓
Nightlife82/100✓72/100
Family friendliness68/10074/100✓
Median broadband60 Mbps180 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature27°C✓28°C
Summer high32°C✓33°C
Winter low23°C23°C
Sunshine hours per year2,600 h✓2,100 h
Annual rainfall1700 mm✓2500 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYesYes
Beach access10 min✓60 min
CurrencyIDRMYR
Time zoneAsia/MakassarAsia/Kuala_Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur runs about 13% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 173 USD a month.

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Go deeper

Cost of living in BaliCost of living in Kuala LumpurConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Bali or Kuala Lumpur cheaper?

Kuala Lumpur runs about 13% cheaper than Bali for this household, a difference of 173 USD a month.

What salary do you need in Kuala Lumpur compared with Bali?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $5,833 a month in Bali and $5,698 in Kuala Lumpur, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Bali or Kuala Lumpur?

Bali scores 66/100 on safety and 54/100 on healthcare; Kuala Lumpur scores 68 and 76. Bali averages 27°C against 28°C in Kuala Lumpur.