Monthly Rental Housing Demand Surges in Bali Amid Gen Z and Millennial Work Migration

According to Indonesian business media Industry.co.id, data from Bali's PMD Dukcapil office recorded 300,258 people migrating into Bali throughout 2025. Economic growth and job availability are cited as key drivers, changing the nature of housing demand on the island. Unlike tourists who typically use hotels or short-term stays, those relocating for work tend to seek longer, more flexible rental arrangements.

Co-living operator Cove has capitalized on this shift, reporting a 100% increase in monthly-rental rooms in Bali since early 2026. Most tenants stay for one to two months, a pattern linked to short-term work needs such as temporary relocation, project assignments, or freelance work.

Cove's data shows that 76% of its monthly tenants in Bali are Indonesian residents, with the remainder foreign nationals. The largest age group is 25-29 years old (29%), and by occupation, 46.6% are professionals while 22.7% are freelancers. Demand is most concentrated in properties priced under Rp5 million per month, with price weighing more heavily than location—a pattern that differs from metropolitan markets like Jabodetabek, where transportation access is typically a key factor.

Denpasar has emerged as the primary hub for monthly rental demand, recording occupancy rates up to five times higher than other operational areas. As Bali's provincial capital and center of government and economic activity, Denpasar's appeal is further reinforced by large-scale projects such as the Sanur Special Economic Zone (KEK), Indonesia's first health-focused SEZ.