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Utility costs in Bali vary dramatically between villas and apartments, with electricity being the biggest expense due to air conditioning usage.
Villa owners typically pay IDR 3.1-6.6 million monthly for all utilities combined, while apartment residents spend IDR 900,000-2 million per month. The prepaid electricity system dominates the market, requiring token purchases at convenience stores and online platforms.
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Electricity dominates utility costs in Bali, ranging from IDR 400,000 for apartments to IDR 2.5 million for air-conditioned villas monthly.
The prepaid PLN token system requires purchasing credits at convenience stores, while water costs vary significantly between properties with pools and standard apartments.
| Utility Type | Villa (2-bedroom) | Apartment (1-bedroom) |
|---|---|---|
| Electricity | IDR 1,500,000-2,500,000 | IDR 400,000-700,000 |
| Water | IDR 300,000-600,000 | Often included/IDR 100,000-250,000 |
| Internet | IDR 300,000-1,000,000 | IDR 300,000-700,000 |
| Garbage/Banjar | IDR 100,000-300,000 | IDR 100,000-200,000 |
| Pool/Garden | IDR 800,000-1,800,000 | N/A |
| Filtered Water | IDR 150,000-400,000 | IDR 100,000-250,000 |
| Total Monthly | IDR 3,150,000-6,600,000 | IDR 900,000-2,000,000 |
Fact-checked and reviewed by our local expert
Daniel Rouquette 🇫🇷
CEO & Co-Founder at Villa Finder
How much do electricity bills usually cost each month for a standard two-bedroom villa in Bali?
Electricity bills for a standard two-bedroom villa in Bali typically range from IDR 1,500,000 to IDR 2,500,000 per month as of September 2025.
The cost varies significantly based on air conditioning usage patterns, pool equipment, and property size. Villas with extensive AC usage throughout the day can see bills reaching IDR 4,000,000 monthly, particularly during Bali's hot season from April to October.
Most two-bedroom villas consume between 800-1,200 kWh monthly, with electricity priced at approximately IDR 1,444 per kWh for residential properties. Villas with large swimming pools require additional power for filtration systems, adding IDR 300,000-500,000 to monthly bills.
Properties in popular expat areas like Canggu and Seminyak often have higher consumption due to modern appliances and continuous AC usage. Older villas with less efficient cooling systems can push monthly costs toward the upper end of this range.
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What is the average monthly electricity bill for a one-bedroom apartment in a complex with shared facilities?
One-bedroom apartments in shared complexes typically incur electricity bills between IDR 400,000 and IDR 700,000 monthly.
Apartments with shared facilities benefit from communal pool pumps, shared lighting, and building management systems that distribute certain electrical costs across all units. This arrangement significantly reduces individual electricity consumption compared to standalone properties.
Most one-bedroom units consume 200-400 kWh monthly, depending on AC usage frequency and efficiency of appliances. Apartments with modern split-system air conditioners and LED lighting stay toward the lower end of this range.
Shared facilities like gyms, lobbies, and communal pools are typically covered by management fees rather than individual electricity meters, making apartment living more predictable for utility budgeting.
How do billing rates change if you use air conditioning daily versus only at night?
Daily air conditioning usage increases monthly electricity bills by IDR 1,000,000 to IDR 2,000,000 compared to nighttime-only usage.
Running AC for 24 hours daily in a standard bedroom consumes approximately 12-15 kWh per day, while nighttime usage (8-10 hours) consumes 4-5 kWh daily. This translates to monthly differences of 240-300 kWh versus 120-150 kWh per room.
Daytime AC usage is particularly expensive because Bali's peak temperatures between 11 AM and 4 PM force cooling systems to work harder. Units struggle more against outdoor heat, reducing efficiency by 20-30% during peak hours.
Smart usage patterns, such as running AC only from 10 PM to 8 AM and using fans during the day, can keep electricity bills within IDR 800,000-1,200,000 for most properties.
How does the prepaid token system for electricity (PLN tokens) work, and where can you buy them?
The PLN token system requires purchasing prepaid electricity credits using your meter's unique 11-digit number, then entering a 20-digit code into your electrical meter.
You can buy PLN tokens at Indomaret, Alfamart, CircleK, and other convenience stores, ATMs, online banking platforms, and official PLN payment counters. The process takes 2-3 minutes and credits appear immediately on your meter display.
Most expats purchase tokens in denominations of IDR 100,000 to IDR 500,000, with larger amounts offering slight discounts. The meter displays remaining credit, allowing you to monitor usage and purchase additional tokens before running out.
Some newer developments still use postpaid billing systems where monthly invoices are settled through bank transfers or convenience store payments, but prepaid dominates the market for residential properties.
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How much should you expect to spend on water each month for a villa with a private pool?
Villas with private pools typically spend IDR 300,000 to IDR 600,000 monthly on water bills.
Pool maintenance requires 2,000-4,000 liters weekly for topping up due to evaporation and backwashing filtration systems. Larger pools (8x4 meters or bigger) consume more water, particularly during dry season when evaporation rates increase significantly.
Regular household usage for a two-bedroom villa adds approximately IDR 150,000-250,000 monthly, while pool-specific consumption accounts for the remaining IDR 150,000-350,000. Properties with extensive gardens requiring daily watering see costs toward the upper end of this range.
Water rates in Bali vary by district, with PDAM (municipal water) charging IDR 3,500-5,000 per cubic meter for residential properties. Villas in areas with unreliable municipal supply often supplement with delivered water, adding IDR 200,000-400,000 monthly.
Do apartments usually include water bills in the rent, or are they billed separately?
Water bills in apartment complexes are included in rent approximately 60% of the time, while 40% bill separately based on individual meter readings.
Newer apartment developments typically include water costs in monthly management fees, simplifying billing for tenants and landlords. These properties often have bulk municipal water contracts that provide cost savings passed to residents.
When billed separately, apartment water costs range from IDR 100,000 to IDR 250,000 monthly for one-bedroom units. Individual metering is more common in older buildings or developments with lower occupancy rates.
Lease agreements should clearly specify water billing arrangements, as this affects total monthly housing costs by IDR 100,000-250,000. Properties with included water often have slightly higher base rents to compensate.
How reliable is the tap water in Bali, and what extra costs are involved if you always use bottled or filtered water?
Tap water in Bali is not reliable for drinking, requiring bottled or filtered water that costs IDR 150,000 to IDR 400,000 monthly for most households.
Municipal water systems suffer from inconsistent treatment and aging infrastructure, making tap water suitable only for washing, cleaning, and bathing. Even cooking requires filtered water to avoid stomach issues common among newcomers to Bali.
Bottled water consumption for a household of two people costs approximately IDR 200,000-300,000 monthly, while installing reverse osmosis filtration systems costs IDR 3,000,000-8,000,000 upfront with IDR 50,000-100,000 monthly filter replacements.
Many expats opt for 19-liter water delivery services that cost IDR 25,000-35,000 per bottle, with typical households using 8-12 bottles monthly. This provides safe drinking and cooking water at predictable costs.
It's something we develop in our Indonesia property pack.
What are the average monthly internet costs, and which providers are most reliable in Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud?
Internet costs in Bali range from IDR 300,000 to IDR 1,000,000 monthly for reliable residential connections between 10-30 Mbps.
| Provider | Speed Range | Monthly Cost | Best Coverage Areas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indihome | 10-100 Mbps | IDR 300,000-800,000 | All major areas, most reliable |
| Biznet | 25-100 Mbps | IDR 400,000-1,000,000 | Seminyak, Canggu, Denpasar |
| CBN | 20-50 Mbps | IDR 350,000-700,000 | Ubud, Sanur, central areas |
| First Media | 15-75 Mbps | IDR 400,000-900,000 | Denpasar, Sanur |
| MyRepublic | 30-100 Mbps | IDR 500,000-1,200,000 | Premium locations only |
Indihome dominates market coverage and reliability across Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud, though installation can take 1-3 weeks. Biznet offers higher speeds but limited coverage areas, while CBN provides good value in Ubud where other providers struggle.
Most providers require annual contracts with installation fees of IDR 500,000-1,500,000. Backup mobile internet through Telkomsel or XL costs IDR 100,000-300,000 monthly for 50-100GB data allowances.
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Are garbage collection and banjar (community) fees typically included in rental agreements, and if not, how much do they add up to monthly?
Garbage collection and banjar fees are included in rental agreements approximately 40% of the time, with separate billing adding IDR 100,000 to IDR 300,000 monthly.
Banjar fees (community contributions) vary significantly by location and local regulations, ranging from IDR 50,000 monthly in rural areas to IDR 200,000 in popular expat neighborhoods. These fees fund local infrastructure, security, and community services.
Garbage collection costs IDR 30,000-100,000 monthly depending on pickup frequency and waste volume. Properties in gated communities or apartment complexes typically include these services in management fees, while standalone villas often pay separately.
Some areas require additional fees for organic waste processing or recycling programs, adding IDR 20,000-50,000 monthly. Tourist-heavy areas like Seminyak and Canggu generally have higher community fees due to increased infrastructure demands.
How do landlords in Bali usually handle utility bills—are they in the tenant's name or kept under the owner's name?
Utility bills in Bali typically remain under the property owner's name, with tenants responsible for payments through direct reimbursement or prepaid systems.
Electricity bills stay in the owner's name 80% of the time, particularly for prepaid PLN token systems where tenants purchase tokens directly. This arrangement avoids bureaucratic hassles of transferring accounts between short-term tenants.
Water and internet connections almost always remain under owner names, with payment responsibilities clearly outlined in lease agreements. Tenants either pay owners monthly or handle bills directly at payment counters using the owner's account information.
Some landlords prefer collecting utility payments alongside rent to maintain control over account status and ensure consistent service. This arrangement requires detailed monthly breakdowns and receipt sharing between parties.
What extra costs should you expect for maintaining a private pool or garden, and how often are these services billed?
Private pool maintenance costs IDR 400,000 to IDR 1,000,000 monthly, while garden maintenance adds IDR 400,000 to IDR 800,000 monthly.
Pool cleaning services include skimming debris, vacuuming, chemical balancing, and equipment maintenance. Weekly cleaning is standard, with daily service available for IDR 1,200,000-2,000,000 monthly in premium locations.
Garden maintenance frequency depends on property size and landscaping complexity. Small villa gardens require bi-weekly attention costing IDR 400,000-600,000 monthly, while extensive tropical landscapes need weekly service costing IDR 800,000-1,500,000 monthly.
Additional costs include pool chemicals (IDR 100,000-200,000 monthly), equipment repairs averaging IDR 500,000-1,500,000 annually, and seasonal deep cleaning services costing IDR 300,000-800,000 quarterly. Most services bill monthly in advance.
What is the typical total monthly cost of utilities (electricity, water, internet, garbage, and maintenance) for a mid-range villa compared to an apartment?
Mid-range two-bedroom villas typically spend IDR 3,150,000 to IDR 6,600,000 monthly on total utilities, while one-bedroom apartments spend IDR 900,000 to IDR 2,000,000 monthly.
Villa costs include electricity (IDR 1,500,000-2,500,000), water (IDR 300,000-600,000), internet (IDR 300,000-1,000,000), garbage/banjar fees (IDR 100,000-300,000), pool/garden maintenance (IDR 800,000-1,800,000), and filtered water (IDR 150,000-400,000).
Apartment costs typically include electricity (IDR 400,000-700,000), internet (IDR 300,000-700,000), filtered water (IDR 100,000-250,000), and garbage/banjar fees (IDR 100,000-200,000), with water often included in rent.
The significant cost difference reflects private pool maintenance, garden upkeep, and higher electricity consumption in villas. Apartments benefit from shared facilities and more efficient building management systems.
It's something we develop in our Indonesia property pack.
Conclusion
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Readers are advised to consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. We do not assume any liability for actions taken based on the information provided.
Understanding Bali utility costs is crucial for accurate property investment calculations and monthly living expense budgets.
Villa ownership involves significantly higher utility expenses than apartment living, primarily due to private pool maintenance and increased electricity consumption from larger spaces requiring air conditioning.
Sources
- Reddit - Question about electricity costs in Bali
- Things To Do In Bali - Cost of Living in Bali
- Bukit Vista - Monthly expense managing villa
- Bali Coconut Living - Bali villa life facilities guide
- Pacific Prime - How expensive is relocation to Bali
- PLN - Smart electricity
- International Living - Cost of living in Bali
- Bali Live - Electricity in Bali how much it costs where to pay