Living in Bali: Real Budget, Quality of Life, and French Expat Perspectives

Published on June 9, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Year-round sunshine, postcard-perfect rice paddies and beaches, digital nomad communities… Living in Bali is a dream for many French people. But behind the image of a paradise island, what does it really cost to settle there? In which neighborhoods do French speakers live best? And what does the daily life of a French person who has taken the plunge look like, alone or with family?

A deep dive into the real budget of life in Bali, neighborhood by neighborhood, with testimonials from French people already living there.

Cost of Living in Bali: An Economy Built for Euro Incomes

Seen from France, the numbers speak for themselves. Cost-of-living comparisons show that, all expenses combined, Bali is roughly 55% cheaper than Paris. If you include housing, Paris is even 3.2 times more expensive. Dining out costs nearly five times as much, and transportation almost six times as much.

These gaps are found in almost all daily expenses: hotels are around 50% cheaper than in France, restaurants about 58% cheaper, and accommodation – including utilities – averages 18% less than what you pay in France for a comparable level of comfort.

But for a French person settling long-term, what matters isn’t just the occasional price of a meal or a massage. It’s the overall monthly budget that counts: housing, visa, insurance, schooling, transportation, leisure, and the “little extras” that make for quality of life.

How Much to Budget Per Month to Live in Bali?

The ranges vary enormously depending on the level of comfort you’re after, the neighborhood, and your family situation. However, figures from various studies converge on a few solid benchmarks.

Ballpark Figures for an Expat

For a French person paid in euros or dollars, the broad strokes are as follows:

In euros, several sources emphasize a realistic floor: a minimum of around €1,200 per month for a single person is recommended in 2026 to live “peacefully and legally” (visa, decent insurance, proper housing). Below that threshold, you start cutting corners on items that are hard to sacrifice for a Western expat (security, health, visa stability).

Three Typical Budget Profiles

To give you a concrete idea, here’s a table that summarizes three life profiles in Bali, built from real budgets observed among expats.

These budgets are not theoretical: they closely reflect the reality of French or international expats already living in these areas, with a level of comfort perceived as “good” to “very good.”

Finding Housing in Bali: From a Kost to a Villa with Pool

The housing line item is obviously the one that makes the budget vary the most. The good news: for a French person used to rents in Paris or Lyon, the savings are considerable, even when splurging a bit.

The Different Housing Options

You’ll mainly find four categories of long-term accommodation:

– Kost: small furnished rooms, often without a kitchen or living room, sometimes with a shared bathroom. It’s the most budget-friendly option but also the least comfortable for a Western lifestyle.

– Guesthouses / homestays: private rooms in a small structure or with a local family, often with a private bathroom, sometimes a shared pool. Ideal for getting started.

– Studios and small furnished apartments: often located in urban areas or near tourist neighborhoods.

– Villas (with or without pool): the norm for many expats in the medium term, especially in areas like Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, or the Bukit Peninsula.

Rent Ranges

The data collected shows a wide variety of prices, but a few benchmarks come up regularly.

In Canggu, a modern one-bedroom villa on an annual lease averages between $700 and $1,200 per month. The same type of property in Ubud negotiates between $500 and $900, since you trade proximity to the beach for rice terrace views and a calmer atmosphere.

For a French family looking for three bedrooms and a pool, typical budgets range from $1,500 to $2,500 in Canggu, and from $1,200 to $1,800 in Ubud. In more local or less tourist-saturated areas, a family apartment can still be found for around €400 a month (as is the case for some housing in Denpasar).

Additional Costs: Electricity, Internet, Staff

The “listed” price of a villa doesn’t always include everything. You usually need to add:

– Electricity: often between €80 and €150 per month, depending on air conditioning usage.

– Fiber internet: $30 to $50 per month for a 50–100 Mbps connection; increasingly standard in expat-heavy areas.

– Mobile: an unlimited 4G plan costs less than $10 per month.

– Staff: having a maid, gardener, or pool boy is very common; a monthly budget of €100 to €200 is enough for these services.

For a French person used to doing their own cleaning and paying a premium for fiber, the ability to have a maintained home and an impeccable garden for an extra hundred euros or so per month contributes greatly to the feeling of “affordable luxury.”

Eating in Bali: Between Warungs at €2 and Brunches at €20

Dining is another area where Bali demonstrates its price gap with France.

Local Cuisine vs. Expat Restaurants

Warungs – small local restaurants – offer Indonesian dishes like nasi goreng, mie goreng, or nasi campur for 25,000 to 40,000 IDR, roughly $1.6 to $2.5, or €2 to €3 depending on the source. Night markets sometimes allow you to eat for €1 to €2 per dish.

Conversely, a full meal at a trendy Western restaurant in Ubud or Canggu easily exceeds €10 per person, and a brunch with coffee at a stylish café runs more like 80,000 to 120,000 IDR ($5 to $8). In a chic expat-oriented restaurant, the bill easily climbs to €15 to €30 per head.

Grocery and Restaurant Budget

Field surveys give the following ballpark figures for expats who mix cooking at home and eating out:

In practice, one French family interviewed said they spend about the equivalent of one million rupiah per day on all their meals and groceries, or roughly €60 to €70 daily for three people, in a fairly comfortable lifestyle.

Two key takeaways:

1. Eating local allows you to drastically reduce the bill without sacrificing quality, as Balinese cuisine is both generous and cheap. 2. “Made in France” products remain a costly pleasure; a camembert or an imported bottle of wine can cost twice its metropolitan price.

Transportation: Scooter Reigns, Car is Secondary

In Bali, individual cars are rare among expats. Scooters dominate heavily, both for budget and practicality reasons.

A basic scooter rented by the month costs between $40 and $70, while a newer or more powerful model (like an Nmax or PCX) goes for more like €120 to €150 per month in 2026. Filling the tank for 100 km costs a few euros: gas is around €0.6 to €0.8 per liter.

For a typical monthly budget, keep in mind:

– $60 to $100 for the scooter (rental + gas).

– $100 to $200 for transportation if you also use ride-hailing apps regularly.

– Very little parking fees, except at certain tourist spots.

This item weighs far less than in France, especially when compared to the €85 per month for a Parisian Navigo pass or the cost of fuel in France.

Healthcare in Bali: Dual System, Insurance Essential

Quality of life isn’t just about sunshine and cafés with Wi-Fi. The health issue is central, especially for families.

Bali operates on a dual system:

– On one hand, an underfunded public sector, primarily intended for locals, with often overcrowded hospitals, sometimes outdated equipment, and wait times that don’t meet Western standards.

– On the other hand, a booming private sector, with modern clinics, English-speaking staff, and increasingly international-standard services.

The best facilities are concentrated in the south of the island, around Denpasar, Sanur, Seminyak, Nusa Dua. Names like BIMC (Kuta and Nusa Dua), Siloam, or Kasih Ibu come up regularly among expat-recommended addresses. Since 2025, the opening of Bali International Hospital marks a clear upgrade in the healthcare offering.

However, Bali is not yet a medical hub on par with Singapore or Bangkok. For complex cases or major surgeries, many expats still prefer to be evacuated to those destinations.

Observer of the medical sector in Bali

Cost of Care and Insurance

Private consultations remain relatively affordable for a French person paid in euros:

– A general practitioner: often between 200,000 and 500,000 IDR (€12 to €30).

– A specialist: 500,000 to 1,000,000 IDR (€30 to €60).

– A routine check-up at a large private hospital in 2026 runs between 300,000 and 750,000 IDR ($19 to $47).

However, hospitalization can add up very quickly:

– One night in a standard private room: €50 to €120.

– One night in a VIP room: €120 to €300.

– A simple surgery like appendectomy: around €1,500 to €3,500.

– A C-section: €2,000 to €5,000.

– A medical evacuation to Singapore: from €15,000 to €50,000.

– A repatriation to France: €50,000 to €150,000.

Hence the unanimous recommendation: for an expat, private health insurance is not an option but a moral obligation. Observed budgets are around:

Several sources advise budgeting at least €1,500 to €2,000 per year for health, including insurance and routine expenses.

Perceived Quality by French Expats

Alice, a French woman living in Ubud, points out that she now has access to fast and effective care, with medical appointments obtained without delay, a contrast to her Parisian life. She mentions an overall “better quality of life”, made possible in part by this easy access to health and wellness services (yoga, fitness, massage) for a fraction of the French price.

Families, for their part, weigh two realities:

– On one hand, general medicine, dentistry, and all everyday minor care are considered very satisfactory, often at a price lower than in France.

– On the other hand, the system remains fragile for life-threatening emergencies or serious illnesses, hence the need to plan ahead and have good coverage.

Neighborhoods Preferred by the French: Where to Settle in Bali?

Bali is not a single city but a mosaic of areas with very different vibes. The choice of neighborhood largely determines the expat experience.

The main areas where French-speaking communities are concentrated are Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud, and Sanur. Add to that Umalas, Kerobokan, Uluwatu, and parts of the Bukit Peninsula.

Canggu: Capital of French-Speaking Digital Nomads

Canggu is often described as the epicenter of French remote workers and web entrepreneurs. You’ll find:

– An impressive density of coworking spaces, cafés with Wi-Fi, and colivings.

– Rice paddies rubbing shoulders with beach clubs, surfboards, and laptops.

– A young, international community with a significant number of French people.

The downside: chaotic traffic, a lot of dust, and rising rents driven by demand. Still, for a digital nomad profile seeking sociability, good internet, and surfing before or after work, Canggu remains a top choice.

Seminyak and Umalas: Chic Comfort, Close to French Schools

Seminyak is a historically popular expat area, with:

– High-end villas, designer boutiques, gourmet restaurants.

– A lively but more upscale nightlife than some party-heavy spots.

– Proximity to the international airport and several private schools.

Right next door, Umalas is considered one of the most “French” neighborhoods in Bali. The French Lycée of Bali (LFB) is located there, as is the consulate, naturally attracting many French families. The neighborhood is described as rather luxurious, well-situated, and mostly composed of expats – including many French people of all ages: entrepreneurs, retirees, families.

For a couple with children, settling in Umalas, Kerobokan, or Seminyak thus means being within immediate reach of French schooling and living in a modern villa just minutes from the beach.

Ubud: The Choice of Slowness and Culture

Ubud attracts a different profile of French people: artists, therapists, retirees, families seeking authenticity. Far from the coastal bustle, the town is renowned for:

– Its calm atmosphere, surrounded by rice paddies and jungle.

– Its intense cultural life: galleries, festivals, dance, music.

– Its yoga studios and “healthy” cafés.

– A more laid-back lifestyle, where you ride a scooter less to go to the beach and more to walk or bike through the rice fields.

Alice, a French expat who settled there, explains that Ubud allowed her to slow down, drastically reduce time spent in transit, and invest more in her health and social relationships. She emphasizes that her overall expenses are roughly halved compared to her Parisian life, but with greater comfort.

Sanur: The Quiet Family Option

Sanur attracts families who want a safe, flat environment, ideal for bike rides and strollers. The seafront promenade, protected from car traffic, makes it a perfect playground for children.

Sanur is very family-friendly. You can walk or bike along the beach, the kids are safe, and you benefit from both a tight-knit French community and proximity to private clinics in Denpasar.

Laura, French expat in Sanur

Other Areas: Uluwatu, Bukit, Gianyar, Denpasar

Beyond these four hubs, other regions are hosting a growing share of expats:

– The Bukit Peninsula and Uluwatu: popular with surfers, with ocean-view villas, but more rugged roads and a still-developing service offering.

– Gianyar: includes part of Ubud, more rural, with lower rents.

– Denpasar: the administrative capital, less touristy, where costs are generally lower (up to 62% less than Paris, housing 65% cheaper, food 48% cheaper).

For a French person primarily seeking very low costs, Denpasar or less glamorous residential areas than Canggu can represent a very interesting compromise.

A Structured French Community: Networks, Mutual Aid, and Integration

Estimates suggest around 15,000 French nationals live in Bali, making the community one of the most visible on the island. French people are also among the three most represented nationalities among annual visitors.

In recent years, a true French-speaking ecosystem has developed:

– Associations like Bali Accueil that organize events, French markets, meetups.

– Facebook groups and WhatsApp chats for sharing tips, finding a roommate, a French-speaking doctor, a nanny, or a private tutor.

– Larger networks like InterNations, which organize dinners, outings, and even trips to Java to discover rice terraces, coffee plantations, and volcanoes.

This network effect greatly eases the landing but also carries a risk: that of staying locked in an “expat bubble” where you speak French, consume French, and cut yourself off from Balinese society. Several French expats already there emphasize the importance of respecting local culture, not just replicating your Western life in a tropical setting, and learning at least the basics of Bahasa Indonesia to move beyond all-English.

Testimonials from French Expats: From Dream to Daily Reality

The numbers give an idea, but expat stories help understand what these budgets and price differences concretely change in a life.

Alice, from a Parisian Life to Ubud

Having left France without ever setting foot in Bali before, Alice settled in Ubud for her gap year. She works as an online coach, with international clients.

Her verdict is clear: her overall expenses are roughly halved compared to what she spent in Paris, for a significantly higher quality of life. With the same amount as in France, she can:

– Rent more spacious accommodation.

– Pay for a gardener and weekly laundry services, which she considered inaccessible luxuries in Europe.

– Easily access medical care, yoga classes, dance, and fitness, at prices about three-quarters less than in France.

Laura, a Mother in Sanur

Living in Bali for five years with her husband and their sons, Laura originally planned a one-year break. Opportunities, the climate, and the cost of living ultimately convinced them to stay.

Former employee in fashion, she is now a community manager and shares expat advice on social media. Her daily life illustrates well the benefits of a budget equivalent to that of a middle-class family in France, transposed to Bali:

– Her eldest is dropped off at school by his father in the morning and picked up by a nanny in the afternoon.

– She works from home while looking after the youngest.

– The family enjoys the beach, massages, and domestic help, at a cost much lower than what a similar life would cost in France.

Couples and Families: More Time, More Services

Several French families report the same change: in France, life ran non-stop from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with parents rushing between work, commuting, and obligations. In Bali, with an equivalent or even lower budget, these same families were able to:

– Drastically reduce their salaried work hours, moving into entrepreneurship or remote work.

– Invest in domestic help (cleaning, garden, pool, sometimes cooking).

– Spend more time with their children, on sports, and with each other.

One couple living in Canggu with a child mentions an overall budget of around $6,000 to $7,000 per month, including a high-end villa, frequent dining out, private schooling, several sports memberships, and an active social life. A high amount for Bali, but still far less than what the same life would cost in a major French metropolis.

True or False: Can You Live in Bali on €500 a Month?

The idea has been circulating for years: Bali is the perfect place to “drop everything” and live on a few hundred euros a month. The numbers and testimonials strongly qualify this legend.

Yes, it is theoretically possible to live on $700 to $800 per month in 2025–2026, provided:

– You accept a very basic room in a kost or fan room, far from tourist areas.

– You eat almost exclusively at cheap warungs.

– You quickly give up expensive international insurance.

– You limit outings, leisure, and travel to the bare minimum.

For a French person who wants:

…the “real” floor is higher. Several French-language sources warn against “the dangerous illusion” of wanting to live on €500 a month, especially since the average Balinese salary is about €190 to €200 monthly, and the “comfortable survival” of a Western expat requires additional non-negotiable expenses (visa, health, internet, compliant housing).

In summary, for a single French person who wants to avoid putting themselves at risk:

– Less than €1,000 per month: possible but very tight, often at the expense of safety (visa, health).

– €1,200 to €1,500 per month: allows you to live comfortably, but without extravagance.

– €1,500 to €2,000 per month: opens the door to typical Bali pleasures (villa with pool, regular activities, varied dining).

Living in Bali with a Family: Schooling, Domestic Help, and Overall Budget

Expatriation with a family completely changes the equation. The key item becomes schooling.

Schooling: The Big Budget Item

International schools generally charge between $8,000 and $20,000 per year per child. This means that a child attending full-time at a major international school like Bali Island School can add about $2,000 per month to the household budget, if you spread the costs over the year.

Some French families choose alternative options:

– Local schools (for parents comfortable with Bahasa Indonesia and who accept deeper immersion).

– Distance learning.

– Less expensive school structures, sometimes partially French-speaking.

The choice of neighborhood reflects this: Seminyak, Umalas, and Kerobokan are popular because they combine proximity to the French Lycée of Bali and a pleasant living environment for children.

Domestic Help: A Daily Luxury That Becomes Normal

One of the big changes for French families in Bali is the easy and inexpensive access to domestic help. Whereas a maid or nanny remains rare and costly in France, in Bali it becomes almost the norm to have:

Costs remain reasonable: €100 to €200 per month is enough to employ someone part-time, under good conditions. For a French family, this radically changes the mental load of daily life and frees up time for work or personal life.

Visas and Legality: An Expense Item Not to Be Underestimated

It’s often forgotten: living in Bali is not just about a plane ticket and rent. The visa issue is central and can quickly weigh on the budget.

French nationals must absolutely obtain a visa to enter Indonesia. The simplest is the Visa on Arrival (VOA), obtained at the airport for 500,000 IDR (around €30/$33). It allows you to stay 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days, for the same fee.

Beyond 60 days, you need to switch to other types of visas:

Many expats entrust the management of these procedures to specialized agencies, which increases the cost but simplifies life. The figures collected indicate:

– An average cost of about $100 per month for the visa, when spread over the year.

– Agency fees that can add several hundred thousand rupiah per application.

– Since 2024, a specific Balinese tax (“Love Bali Tourist Levy”) of 150,000 IDR ($9–$10) per international entry to the island.

Ignoring this aspect can lead to tricky situations: deportation, fines, inability to return to Indonesia for several years. Authorities have been stepping up checks since 2025–2026, especially on undeclared remote workers.

Bali: Eldorado for Digital Nomads, But Not a Lawless Country

Since the 2010s, Bali has established itself as the “world capital” of digital nomads, with an estimated community of over 80,000 expats and remote workers. This appeal rests on a very specific blend:

– Ultra-competitive cost of living for those paid in strong currency.

– Tropical climate with no winter, between 75°F and 90°F (24°C–32°C) year-round.

– Spectacular nature (volcanoes, rice terraces, beaches, surf spots).

– Abundant coworking spaces, cafés, and coliving facilities.

– Creative energy, a mix of cultures, and a large international community – including many French speakers.

The downside of this success is starting to show:

The most experienced French expats emphasize a few basic principles:

– Thoroughly research the legality of your professional activity in Bali, so as not to illegally compete with the local economy.

– Follow the rules, including those that may seem “less strict” than in Europe (traffic laws, behavior in temples, waste management).

– Make an effort to learn at least the basics of Bahasa Indonesia to better communicate with Balinese people and avoid sticking to all-English or all-French.

In Summary: A Multiplied Standard of Living, Provided You Plan Your Project

Living in Bali, for a French person, generally means accessing a much higher level of comfort than the same budget would provide in France. With a Parisian executive’s budget, you can afford:

– A villa with a private pool.

– Regular domestic help.

– Decent private medical care, supplemented by international insurance.

– International schooling for children, if you accept the financial commitment.

– An active social life, regular sports and wellness activities.

Testimonials from Alice in Ubud, Laura in Sanur, and families in Canggu confirm that the change isn’t just financial. It’s also more flexible schedules, more time for kids, less commuting, and that feeling of “daily luxury” that affordable personal services provide.

For a French person willing to do the groundwork and with a stable income in euros or dollars, the promise still holds: in Bali, with the same budget, quality of life can truly be multiplied.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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