Cost of Living: Bali vs New York (2026)
Indonesia vs United States — relocation comparison
- VAT-free under €275k
- €200/yr accountant
- No VAT exemption
- 15.3% social
- €1000/yr accountant
Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026
Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026
Sun
How much sky you actually get
Sun clocks out early in New York's winter. Plan accordingly.
Source: WeatherSpark (clear-sky share of daytime hours)
Settler Essentials
Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo
Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals
Reproductive Rights
Because your body shouldn't need a visa too
Only for life-threatening emergencies or rape victims (up to 14 weeks). Highly restricted otherwise.
Post-Dobbs (2022): varies dramatically by state. Fully banned in ~14 states, protected in ~20 states.
Source: Center for Reproductive Rights
LGBTQ+ Rights
Can you hold hands without doing a risk assessment first
Source: Rainbow Europe (ILGA-Europe)
The Short Version
- •Rent is 75% cheaper in Bali ($1082/mo vs $4281/mo for a 1BR city centre).
- •Summers are slightly warmer in Bali (29°C vs 28°C).
- •Bali is safer by homicide rate (0.3 vs 3.9 per 100k).
- •New York scores higher on democracy (7.8 vs 6.4 / 10 EIU).
- •Street-level English is easier in New York (100/100 vs 25/100).
Bali vs New York — Common Questions
Is Bali cheaper than New York?▾
Bali is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $1082/month in Bali vs $4281/month in the other city (Numbeo data).
Which is safer, Bali or New York?▾
Bali is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. Bali has a rate of 0.31 per 100,000 and New York has 3.90 per 100,000.
Should I move to Bali or New York?▾
Bali edges ahead 63 to 56. New York isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.
Is it easier to get residency in Bali or New York?▾
Bali: Indonesia Second Home Visa (complex process, 5 or 10 years). New York: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.
Can I live in Bali or New York without speaking the local language?▾
New York is easier for street-level English (100/100) than Bali (25/100). That's the score that matters for doctors, landlords, and bureaucracy. Office English can still run higher than street English in both cities.
What's the cost of rent in Bali vs New York?▾
A 1-bedroom in the centre: $1082/month in Bali, $4281/month in New York (Numbeo). That's 75% cheaper rent in Bali.
Is Bali or New York better for democracy and rule of law?▾
New York scores 7.8/10 on the EIU Democracy Index vs 6.4/10 for Bali. Both are functional democracies, though the gap matters if you're planning to stay long enough to care about local politics.
Is healthcare better in Bali or New York?▾
New York scores higher on our composite healthcare index (79/100 vs 52/100 for Bali). That score combines clinical outcomes (IHME), universal coverage (WHO), and resident perception (Numbeo) — not just whether hospitals exist but whether the system actually works for settlers.
Plot twist: other matchups exist
Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.
Let the algorithm judge you
2 min quiz — surprisingly accurate
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