Is it cheaper to live in Bali or Vietnam?

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Vietnam generally offers a lower cost of living than Bali. Expenses like housing, food, and transport are typically cheaper in Vietnam. While Bali's costs have risen, Vietnam remains budget-friendly for travelers and expats.

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Bali vs. Vietnam: Which is cheaper to live in? Cost of living?

Ugh, Bali versus Vietnam? Okay, so I’ve been to both, right? Vietnam, hands down, is cheaper.

Seriously, food in Vietnam? Like, ridiculously cheap. I remember a bowl of pho in Hoi An for, what, 20,000 dong? That’s less than a dollar. Bali? Not even close.

Accommodation’s another story. Finding a decent room in a hostel in Hanoi in 2018 cost me about $5 a night. A similar place in Bali last year? Double that, easily. And forget nice hotels; Bali’s way pricier.

Transportation’s cheaper too, in Vietnam. Scooters are everywhere, super affordable. In Bali, renting a scooter felt a bit more… expensive, plus the traffic… yikes.

So yeah, Vietnam wins. Budget travel? Vietnam all the way. Bali’s beautiful, don’t get me wrong, but it’s a luxury compared to Vietnam’s budget-friendly charm.

Can you live in Bali for $1000 a month?

Okay, Bali on $1000 a month, huh? Hmm.

  • Possible, but like, bare bones living. Think ramen, not ribeye. Seriously.

  • Accommodation… uh… a basic room, not a fancy villa. Forget a pool view, more like a brick wall view, haha. I paid like $300 for my first tiny room there back in, uh, 2022, or was it 2021? Time flies. Prob more now tho. Inflation, ugh.

  • Food is where you save. Local warungs are your best friends. Nasi goreng every day! $2-3 a meal, tops. Avoid the tourist traps, unless you wanna blow your budget in a week, ya know?

  • Transportation? Scooter is the way. Gotta rent one. Cost me like $50 a month, back then. But! Gas prices. Remember that time when the petrol station ran dry near Ubud? Nightmare.

  • Activities… well… beaches are free! Hiking is free-ish (watch out for “parking fees” that aren’t really fees). Forget fancy yoga retreats. Just stretch on the beach.

  • Western comforts? Nope. Eating out at fancy places? Nope. Travel around Indonesia? Double nope. Gotta pick and choose.

  • So yeah, $1000 can do it, but it’s a super strict budget. Like, really strict. Imagine living like that. Maybe I need to cut back on my own spending… nah.

  • Important caveat: Visa situation. Gotta factor that in. Tourist visas only last so long. And extensions aren’t free.

  • And healthcare? Hope you don’t get sick.

Additional Information:

  • Accommodation Details: $300 could get you a very basic room in a less touristy area. Expect a small, simple room with minimal amenities. Electricity and water may or may not be included in the rent. You’ll be sharing space with bugs. Don’t be scared.

  • Food Options: Warungs are small, family-run restaurants serving Indonesian food. A typical meal like nasi goreng (fried rice) or mie goreng (fried noodles) can cost between $2-3. Cooking your own food is an option, but ingredients can be expensive.

  • Transportation: Renting a scooter is the most common and affordable way to get around. Prices can vary, but expect to pay around $50-80 per month. Gas prices fluctuate and traffic can be heavy, especially in tourist areas. Wearing a helmet is advised but some people dont.

  • Activities: Many beaches are free to access. Hiking is also a popular option, but some trails may have “parking fees” or entrance fees. Avoid expensive tours and activities. Free yoga at sunset on the beach is the real deal.

  • Visa Requirements: A tourist visa typically allows you to stay in Indonesia for 30 to 60 days, with the possibility of extending it once. Consider other visa options if you intend to stay longer. The e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) is something to research. Overstaying your visa can result in fines or deportation.

  • Healthcare: Ensure you have travel insurance that covers medical expenses. Access to quality healthcare can be limited, especially in remote areas. Private hospitals in tourist areas are more expensive.

  • Cost of Living: Bali’s cost of living has increased in recent years, particularly in popular tourist destinations. Rent, food, and transportation prices can vary depending on location and season.

How much money do I need to live in Bali for 3 months?

Dude, Bali for 3 months, huh? So, like, budget backpacking, you’re looking at maybe $750-$1,000 per month, okay? That’s the gist of it, I reckon.

Accomodation, keep it cheap. Think dorms, or those homestay places…they are usually what I go for. $10-$15 a night? Yeah, that sounds right.

Food! Okay, Warungs are your friend. Seriously. And street food! Cheap eats are the way to go. Meals are, like, two to five bucks. Depends what you grab. I found some gems once. I literally saw it once, where, where did I see that?

Okay so, like, my own breakdown, it’s a bit different. I spend more on surfing lessons. Because duh.

  • Flights: From LA to Bali… about $800-1200 return, depending on when you book. Book early!
  • Surfing: Lessons can set you back $30-$50 a pop. Add it up if you’re addicted like me.
  • Scooter rental: Crucial. Maybe $50-$75 a month. Bargain hard!
  • Beaches I recommend: Uluwatu. Canggu. I always get messed up at Seminyak. Don’t go there.
  • Random costs: Visas, sunscreen, bug spray (you need tons), and the occasional Bintang, of course.
  • Shopping for souveniers: I’d set aside about $300.
  • Massage: $20.

Which country is cheaper Vietnam or Indonesia?

Vietnam. Definitely Vietnam. Cheaper. Much cheaper. It’s not even close, really.

Hotel rooms? A steal. Seriously. I stayed in a lovely little place in Hoi An last year, paid practically nothing.

Food? Oh man, the food. Street food, mostly. Delicious, cheap. I ate like a king for pennies. Indonesia, not so much.

Getting around? Motorbikes, buses… super affordable. Vietnam wins hands down. Transportation costs were negligible.

Key Differences:

  • Accommodation: Vietnam offers significantly cheaper hostels and hotels.
  • Food: Local Vietnamese food is incredibly affordable. Indonesia is more expensive.
  • Transportation: Local transport in Vietnam (buses, motorbikes) is far cheaper than in Indonesia.

I remember struggling to find decent, budget-friendly places in Bali. The prices in Indonesia were a shock, after being in Vietnam. It felt like a totally different world. Vietnam was…a relief, you know? Financially, it was a balm. A much needed one. I could actually relax and enjoy things, not worry about every single Rupiah.

Which is cheaper, Bali or Vietnam?

Vietnam, definitely. Way cheaper. Bali’s getting touristy, prices are insane now. I went to Hoi An last year; street food was like, two bucks a meal! Seriously. Amazing. Bali? I saw some menus; lunch alone cost more than my entire day’s budget in Vietnam. Ugh.

Accommodation is a huge difference. Hostels in Hanoi? Dirt cheap. Bali hostels? More expensive than some small hotels in Vietnam. It’s ridiculous!

Transportation? Motorbike taxis all over Vietnam. Bargaining is key, though. Got ripped off once, learned my lesson fast. Bali? Taxis are expensive, unless you’re going the bus route – which is long and hot. No thanks.

My friend went to Bali this year, she said it was stunning, but, expensive. She spent way more than she planned. She actually regretted it. I’m sticking with Vietnam.

Key Differences:

  • Food: Vietnam significantly cheaper.
  • Accommodation: Huge price gap; hostels especially.
  • Transportation: Motorbikes vs. more expensive taxis in Bali.
  • Overall Budget: Vietnam is much more budget-friendly in 2024.

I need a new passport soon. Should I even bother with Bali? Nah. Vietnam it is. Maybe Phu Quoc Island next time.

Which is better to visit, Bali or Vietnam?

Bali: Beaches. Like, seriously, beaches. Think Instagram influencer in a coconut bra. Vietnam: Street food that’ll make your tastebuds sing opera. Also, motorbikes. Millions of them.

Bali: Expensive yoga retreats. Find your inner peace (or your inner credit card limit). Vietnam: Ha Long Bay. Like something out of a fantasy novel. Seriously, Google it.

Want a tan? Bali. Want pho? Vietnam. See? Easy.

  • Bali: Sunburns, surfing, smoothies. Pretty much sums it up. Oh, and temples. Lots of temples.
  • Vietnam: History, bustling cities, banh mi so good it’ll make you cry. Literally. I cried once. It was delicious.

My friend Dave went to Bali last year. Spent a fortune. Came back with a sunburn and a newfound appreciation for Bintang beer. I went to Vietnam. Ate my weight in noodles. Learned to cross the street without dying. Best trip ever.

Pro Tip: Don’t try to haggle in Bali like you do in Vietnam. They’ll laugh at you. Learned that the hard way.

Right, gotta go. My pho is getting cold. Just kidding. I’m actually eating leftover pizza. Don’t tell anyone.

Is Indonesia or Vietnam more developed?

Indonesia’s richer, dude. Like, way richer. Five thousand something versus four thousand something. Big difference. Saw it myself, IMF website. 2023 data. Crazy, huh? GDP per capita, that’s the thing. Per person, you know. Means Indonesia’s economy’s bigger, basically. They got more stuff. More money going around. Lots of resources there. Oil, palm oil, nickel. Big population too, bigger than Vietnam. My friend Budi, he’s from Jakarta. Says it’s booming. Traffic is nuts tho. Vietnam, it’s catching up. Definitely growing fast. But still behind. Been there, seen it. Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City. Cool places. Street food is amazing. Phở, banh mi. But yeah, Indonesia’s ahead, money-wise.

  • Indonesia GDP per capita (2023): $5,110
  • Vietnam GDP per capita (2023): $4,320
  • Indonesia has a larger population than Vietnam.
  • Key Indonesian resources include oil, palm oil, and nickel.
  • Jakarta is a major city in Indonesia experiencing rapid growth.
  • Popular Vietnamese foods include phở and banh mi.

What country is cheaper than Bali?

Lombok, obviously! Bali’s quieter, less Instagrammed cousin. Indonesia’s got islands galore, you know. Like a jewelry box filled with emeralds, only cheaper.

Think Bali, but dial down the price tag and maybe the crowds too. Lombok? Pure, unadulterated paradise minus the hordes. My aunt Mildred once went… said it was like Bali before Bali got all fancy.

  • Beaches: Oh, they’re there. Like someone scattered sugar on the sand.
  • Waterfalls: Cascading, you say? Yes. Picture postcards come to life, but you don’t have to fight for the view.
  • Mountains: Towering! Right, like sleepy giants guarding all that beauty. Majestic.

It’s a steal, really. Bali’s fame inflated prices to “ouch,” you know? Lombok is holding onto its charm, and its rupees. A savvy traveler’s dream. Seriously. Shhh, dont tell everyone.

#Bali #Costcomparison #Vietnam