Denpasar vs Bengkulu Cost of Living Comparison
Executive summary: Bengkulu leads on CPI (17 vs 17.2, NYC=100), Denpasar leads on rent index, and Bengkulu leads on purchasing power. Validate neighbourhood rents before relocating — city-wide winners can reverse at district scale.
Overall Cost Winner
Bengkulu
Lower overall CPI; largest measurable gaps: Housing (6% gap, Denpasar ahead); Utilities (6% gap, Denpasar ahead).
Monthly Cost Difference
Estimated monthly housing+utilities+internet basket is about $11 lower in Denpasar than in Bengkulu (~6% gap; converted via exchange rates).
Estimated monthly difference: $11 (favoring Denpasar).
Category Winners
| Category | Winner | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Overall CPI | Bengkulu | CPI 17 vs 17.2 (lower is better) |
| Housing | Denpasar | Rent index 5 vs 5.3 (lower is better) |
| Food | Denpasar | Groceries index 24.7 vs 24.9 (lower is better) |
| Transport | Denpasar | One-way ticket 4159.76 vs 4207.03 (lower is better) |
| Utilities | Denpasar | Utilities (85m²) 163000 vs 172780 (lower is better) |
| Internet | Denpasar | Internet 280686 vs 282968 (lower is better) |
| Restaurants | Bengkulu | Restaurant index 12 vs 12.8 (lower is better) |
| Salary | Bengkulu | Avg net salary 19605640 vs 18493980 (higher is better) |
| Purchasing Power | Bengkulu | PP index 19.4 vs 18.3 (higher is better) |
Biggest Difference
Housing: Denpasar leads with a 6% gap.
Rent index 5 vs 5.3 (lower is better)
Quick Decision
- Students: Denpasar — Lower housing / rent index (6% gap).
- Families: Denpasar — Housing is typically the largest household line; rent index favors Denpasar; purchasing power favors Bengkulu.
- Remote Workers: Bengkulu — Everyday cost index (CPI) favors Bengkulu (~1% gap).
- Budget Living: Bengkulu — Lowest overall consumer-price index in this pair.
Key Takeaways
- Bengkulu is the overall cost winner on CPI (~1% lower everyday-cost index than Denpasar).
- Housing: Denpasar leads on rent index (6% gap).
- Food / groceries: Denpasar is lower (1% gap).
- Purchasing power: Bengkulu scores higher (6% gap).
- Sample monthly basket (1BR + utilities + internet) is ~$11 cheaper in Denpasar.
Analysis
Detailed breakdown uses only paired indices: CPI 17.2/17, rent 5/5.3, purchasing power 18.3/19.4. Category winners can diverge — a city may win rent while losing CPI. No GDP, climate, or industry claims are invented for either city.
Trust & data transparency
Last updated: 2026-08-20
Data Sources
This page uses CityCost index inputs. Platform sources (see also Data sources):
- Regional
- Regional
On-page labels for this view: Regional · Regional.
Methodology
Each indexed city is associated with a reference basket of common living costs (for example rent, groceries samples, transport tickets, utilities, restaurant meals, and net salary where available). From those items, the platform derives relative indices such as CPI, rent, groceries, restaurants, and local purchasing power, using New York City = 100 as the familiar baseline convention for relative comparison.