Side-by-side city decision # Shantou vs Bali. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link ShantouChina4/6 VS BaliIndonesia2/6 $668Shantou monthly budget $1,455Bali monthly budget 180 MbpsShantou internet 55 MbpsBali internet Decision summary Shantou Shantou leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Shantou Speed Fastest internet Shantou Vibe Best nomad vibe Bali Safety Highest safety Shantou Air Cleanest air Bali Walk Most walkable Shantou Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) China 4/6 Budget$668 Internet180 Mbps Vibe6/10 [Bali](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/bali.md) Indonesia 2/6 Budget$1,455 Internet55 Mbps Vibe9/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricShantouBali Total estimated budget $668 $1,455 1-bed center rent $290 $850 Coworking desk $115 $170 Local meal $3.1 $2.5 Cappuccino $3.2 $2.8 Gym membership $32 $45 Transport budget $28 $85 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricShantouBali Internet speed 180 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 6/10 9/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricShantouBali Safety index 76/100 72/100 Air quality 68/100 70/100 Walkability 6/10 4/10 Female safety 7/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 4/10 6/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricShantouBali Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Humid subtropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Oct - Mar May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Shantou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/shantou.md) China → ### Strengths * Very affordable rent and everyday dining * Outstanding Teochew food culture * Fast, inexpensive mobile payments and delivery * Generally low violent-crime risk * Warm winters and nearby coastal scenery * Authentic local atmosphere away from major expat hubs ### Trade-offs * English is rarely spoken outside major hotels * No dedicated digital-nomad visa * International internet services are restricted * Hot, humid summers and typhoon exposure * Limited coworking and expat networking options * Tap water should not be consumed untreated ### Common visa routes * China L tourist visa * China M business visa * China Z work visa [Bali](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/bali.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Large, established remote-worker community * Affordable food, services, and domestic travel * Excellent coworking choice in Canggu and Ubud * Tropical lifestyle with beaches, rice fields, and surf * Strong café culture and widespread digital payments * Reliable mobile data and improving fiber internet ### Trade-offs * Traffic and unsafe scooter conditions are major drawbacks * Rents in popular areas have risen sharply * Sidewalks and public transport are limited * Rainy-season humidity, flooding, and internet disruptions occur * Tap water is not safe to drink * Tourism pressure can make Canggu and Seminyak crowded ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival / electronic Visa on Arrival * B211A Visit Visa * E33G Remote Worker Visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.