Is Bali Still Worth It? The Real Cost of Living in Bali vs. Thailand and Vietnam in 2026
When it comes to moving to Asia, something everyone eventually asks is, ‘how much will it cost me?’ If you’re coming from a Western country, it’s probably welcome news that costs are considerably less than in Western countries. However, it ultimately depends on where and how you choose to live.
Living costs in Southeast Asia are generally lower than in Western countries, but they vary depending on location and lifestyle.
If you still haven’t decided which Southeast Asian hub is for you, this article will help you understand the cost of living in Bali, Thailand and Vietnam, three of the most popular destinations among Western expats looking to relocate from the UK, US or Australia. Each of these has its own unique culture and lifestyle, so read on to find out which would suit you and budget best.
Bali
For expats moving to Bali, it’s worth knowing that it’s no longer the budget paradise it once was. Rents in popular areas like Canggu and Seminyak have risen significantly in recent years, and securing a good deal often means paying a year’s rent upfront. That said, what your money gets you here still puts most Western cities to shame. Whereas a double room in a shared house outside central London might cost £750-£1,250 per month, that same budget in Bali could comfortably get you a one or two-bedroom villa with a private swimming pool.
Realistically speaking, living in Bali as an expat you can enjoy an exceptional lifestyle for around $1,500-$2,000 per month. That would include a one-bedroom villa, working from cafés, eating out regularly at great restaurants, renting a good quality scooter, a gym membership and other social activities. However, if you are willing to live on the outskirts of popular areas, such as Sanur, Ubud or Denpasar, or cook most of your meals and eat at local warungs, you could easily live for under $1,000.
$1,500–$2,000 per month covers a one-bedroom villa, café work, eating out, scooter rental, gym, and social activities. Living further out or cooking at home can reduce costs to under $1,000.
It is also worth knowing that Bali now has a dedicated Digital Nomad Visa, officially known as the E33G, which allows remote workers to live and work legally on the island for up to one year. To be eligible you will need to earn a minimum of $60,000 USD per year and have an employment contract with a company based outside of Indonesia. For those who qualify, it offers a straightforward and legitimate way to make Bali your base without the hassle of regular visa renewals. You can learn more about it by checking out this page: https://www.balisolve.com/visa-immigration/remote-worker-visa
When it comes to food, the options are endless. Local restaurants serve full meals for anywhere between $1-$4, a nice café lunch runs around $10, and upscale restaurants with fine dining start from $20. Compared to the UK or the USA, there’s simply no comparison.
That said, it’s easy to get carried away. In most Western cities, cooking at home and limiting nights out is just normal budgeting behaviour. In Bali, everything feels like such good value that those habits can quickly go out the window. Frequent yoga and pilates classes, eating out for every meal, weekend trips and regular beach club visits all add up faster than people expect. High-end gyms that are considered completely normal in wellness-focused areas like Canggu can run $100-$200 per month alone. If you’re mindful and stick to a budget, Bali is great value. If you get swept up in the lifestyle, it’s surprisingly easy to overspend.
However, Bali’s charm is unmatched. The locals are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet, the culture is fascinating, and there is so much to learn when you’re surrounded by an atmosphere so focused on harmony. Alongside that, the nature is lush and abundant, the expat community is full of interesting people and the opportunities to socialise are endless. If you’re happy to be on island time and can handle the traffic in busy expat areas, Bali is 100% worth it in 2026.
Thailand
Thailand is a little pricier than Vietnam but comes with something that is hard to put a price on: ease. The infrastructure is reliable, the healthcare is world-class, and for expats who want the affordability of Southeast Asia without having to deal with too much uncertainty, it’s a very attractive option.
Chiang Mai is the most popular base for long-term expats and remote workers, and it’s not hard to see why. A comfortable lifestyle there runs around $1,200-$1,800 per month, a modern one-bedroom apartment with a pool and gym costs $335-$500 per month, and a full street food meal will set you back $1.50-$4. If you prefer city life, Bangkok is an option too, though your money won’t go quite as far there.
Slightly more expensive than Vietnam, Thailand offers reliable infrastructure, excellent healthcare, and a hassle-free expat lifestyle.
When it comes to healthcare, Thailand genuinely stands out. It has more internationally accredited hospitals than anywhere else in Southeast Asia, and private medical care is both excellent and affordable. If this is a priority for you, whether for yourself, your family or ageing parents, it’s hard to find a better option in the region.
The visa situation is also one of the most straightforward in Southeast Asia right now. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) gives remote workers and freelancers a five-year, multiple-entry visa with 180-day stays per entry, for around $600 and a required bank balance of $16,000. For anyone who has spent time cycling through tourist visa renewals, that kind of stability is a big deal.
One thing worth knowing is that Chiang Mai experiences a burning season between February and April each year, when agricultural fires cause significant air quality issues. Many long-term expats choose to leave temporarily during these months, often heading to the Thai islands or Bali, before returning for the cooler, cleaner season from November to January. It’s not a dealbreaker by any means, but it’s something worth planning around.
Vietnam
If keeping costs as low as possible is your main priority, Vietnam is the one for you. Da Nang in particular has become increasingly popular among Western expats in recent years. It’s a clean, modern city with beautiful beaches, a relaxed pace of life and a growing international community, all at a fraction of what you’d spend in Bali or Thailand.
A comfortable lifestyle in Da Nang costs around $800-$1,200 per month. A one or two-bedroom apartment near the beach might be anywhere between $300-$600 per month, street food comes in at $1-$2 a meal and the café scene is great. For people who want an authentic Southeast Asian experience without the tourist-heavy atmosphere of some of Bali’s more popular areas, Vietnam has a lot going for it.
If you’re after something more vibrant and urban, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are worth serious consideration. Both cities have incredible food cultures, fun nightlife and streets that are alive at all hours of the day and night. Being there genuinely feels like being in a movie. If you’re someone who thrives on energy, noise and total cultural immersion, these cities could actually offer a more authentic experience than Bali, which has become increasingly westernised over the years.
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi offer vibrant urban experiences with nightlife, food culture, and authentic immersion, though costs are slightly higher than Da Nang.
That said, there are a couple of things to be aware of. Although Vietnam has an amazing food culture, hygiene standards and catering for specific dietary requirements are considerably less reliable than in Bali or Thailand, so you do need to be willing to adapt a lot more. Bali in particular is far more accommodating in this regard, with a huge range of health-conscious, allergy-friendly and internationally catered restaurants, especially in areas like Canggu and Seminyak. If this is a concern for you it’s worth factoring in before you commit.
The visa situation is also worth considering carefully. Unlike Bali and Thailand, Vietnam doesn’t currently have a formal long-stay option for remote workers or retirees. The e-visa maxes out at 90 days, which means long-term residents often have to deal with renewals or border runs on an ongoing basis. For those looking for a simple and stable life, this is something to keep in mind.
English is also spoken far less widely in Vietnam than in Bali or Thailand, and Vietnamese is a notoriously difficult language, which can make everyday life a little more challenging than expected. Vietnam is best suited to people who enjoy immersing themselves in a new culture and don’t mind a little uncertainty along the way. For those people, it offers an incredibly rich experience at a price that is genuinely unbeatable in the region.
So, Which One Is Right for You?
Bali balances lifestyle, culture, and cost; Thailand offers stability and healthcare; Vietnam is best for low cost and adventure, but requires adaptation.
All three destinations will cost you a lot less than life in a major Western city, that much is certain. The question is really about what matters most to you beyond the savings.
If lifestyle, culture and community are just as important as cost, Bali is still the standout choice. Prices have risen, but nowhere else offers the same combination of affordability, surf, wellness, spirituality and a world-class expat community on one beautiful island.
If you want reliability, great healthcare and a straightforward long-term setup, Thailand is the most hassle-free option, particularly for retirees, families and anyone who values stability above all else.
And if budget is your number one priority and you’re happy to embrace a bit of adventure along the way, Vietnam offers the lowest costs in the region and a genuinely vibrant, authentic experience to go with them.
Whatever you decide, getting the right visa for your plans makes all the difference. Contact the Balisolve team in Pererenan, Bali, via WhatsApp or at our office if you need any help at all with choosing the best visa option for your stay in Bali.
Written by Bali Solve Team
02 April 2026
