Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ain and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Al Ain and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,577 per month in Al Ain vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,419 per month in Al Ain vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,262 per month in Al Ain vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Al Ain costs about 12% more than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Both Al Ain and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Al Ain by 18%, Ubud, Bali by 5%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.69 AED 24.57
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
93.91%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$68.4 AED 251
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
111.47%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.26 AED 30.35
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
70.66%
Cappuccino
$4.83 AED 17.74
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
75.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.79 AED 2.90
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-42.75%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 AED 1.37
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-50.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$8.23 AED 30.23
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
175.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$10.78 AED 39.58
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
180.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 AED 6.55
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
2.30%
White Bread (500g)
$1.53 AED 5.63
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-37.80%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.45 AED 9.00
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
109.40%
Eggs
$3.24 AED 11.89
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
33.33%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.80 AED 10.27
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-80.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.83 AED 32.42
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
102.99%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.99 AED 25.66
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
-41.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.40 AED 8.82
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
-35.48%
Banana (1kg)
$1.68 AED 6.15
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
3.07%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.35 AED 4.96
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
-50.73%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.78 AED 2.87
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-65.18%
Potato (1kg)
$0.71 AED 2.60
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
-63.02%
Onion (1kg)
$0.43 AED 1.56
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-81.14%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.64 AED 6.03
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
54.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.63 AED 2.31
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-12.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$6.10 AED 22.41
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
85.41%
Wine (Bottle)
$12.04 AED 44.22
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-48.08%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.34 AED 4.94
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-51.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.14 AED 7.87
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-21.61%
🚌 Getting Around
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.11 AED 4.09
$0.27 Rp 4,778
311.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.95 AED 91.6
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
207.64%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.77 AED 10.17
$0.48 Rp 8,659
477.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.52 AED 1.92
$0.42 Rp 7,532
23.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$8.27 AED 30.36
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
32.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.74 AED 2.70
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-8.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.5K AED 163.4K
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
67.15%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$22.3K AED 82.0K
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
-30.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$92.4 AED 339
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
17.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$51.5 AED 189
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
1164.62%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$96.5 AED 354
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
296.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$53.5 AED 196
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-45.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$40.74 AED 150
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
542.59%
Cinema Ticket
$11.28 AED 41.41
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
182.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$628 AED 2,305
$305 Rp 5.5M
105.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,762 AED 13.8K
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
-43.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.92 AED 80.5
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-59.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.3 AED 210
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
51.55%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.6 AED 289
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-9.51%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.9 AED 198
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-29.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$675 AED 2,478
$992 Rp 17.8M
-31.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$736 AED 2,705
$673 Rp 12.1M
9.48%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$4,961 AED 18.2K
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
46.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,228 AED 4,511
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-40.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,424 AED 8,903
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
-13.57%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,189 AED 4,368
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
-46.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Al Ain
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,729 AED 10.0K
$167 Rp 3.0M
1534.34%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.19
13.28
-60.92%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Al Ain: July 12, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $675 in Al Ain versus $992 in Ubud, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 1534% higher in Al Ain, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $68.0 in Al Ain versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $213 in Al Ain vs $297 in Ubud, Bali – so Al Ain wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Al Ain vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Al Ain or Ubud, Bali?
Al Ain costs about 12% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Al Ain and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,365 per month in Al Ain and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Al Ain or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Al Ain and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $628 per month in Al Ain and $305 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Al Ain or in Ubud, Bali?
Interestingly, groceries are about 39% cheaper in Al Ain – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Al Ain or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,408, than in Al Ain at $1,577. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Al Ain it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Al Ain or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,408 versus $1,577 in Al Ain. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Al Ain compared to Ubud, Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Al Ain or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Al Ain makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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