🙂A single person spends $669 per month in Ambato vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,002 per month in Ambato vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,334 per month in Ambato vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Ambato is about 53% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Ambato sits 50% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.03$3.03
$3.56Rp 63.7K
-14.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.06$25.06
$32.73Rp 584.5K
-23.43%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.12$5.12
$4.95Rp 88.4K
3.43%
Cappuccino
$2.49$2.49
$2.71Rp 48.4K
-8.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78$0.78
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-41.79%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64$0.64
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-8.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.01$2.01
$2.92Rp 52.1K
-31.16%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.60$3.60
$3.96Rp 70.7K
-9.09%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.98$0.98
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-45.86%
White Bread(500g)
$1.02$1.02
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-59.52%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50$1.50
$1.16Rp 20.7K
29.31%
Eggs
$1.98$1.98
$2.46Rp 43.9K
-19.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.05$3.05
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-79.27%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.93$2.93
$4.32Rp 77.1K
-32.18%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.11$4.11
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-66.14%
Apples(1kg)
$0.97$0.97
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-74.74%
Banana(1kg)
$1.02$1.02
$1.56Rp 27.8K
-34.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.02$1.02
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-63.96%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.01$1.01
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-56.65%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02$1.02
$1.91Rp 34.2K
-46.60%
Onion(1kg)
$0.98$0.98
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-55.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.50$0.50
$1.01Rp 18.1K
-50.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03$1.03
$0.78Rp 13.8K
32.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.90$5.90
$3.32Rp 59.2K
77.71%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.93$8.93
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-62.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.50$1.50
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-46.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.04$3.04
$2.86Rp 51.1K
6.29%
🚌 Getting Around
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.31$0.31
$0.27Rp 4,800
14.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$24.02$24.02
$8.03Rp 143.4K
199.13%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.67$0.67
$0.46Rp 8,150
45.65%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99$0.99
$0.45Rp 8,037
120.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.62$9.62
$6.10Rp 108.9K
57.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.66$0.66
$0.79Rp 14.2K
-16.46%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.4K$30.4K
$26.1KRp 467.0M
16.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.4K$28.4K
$32.1KRp 573.6M
-11.53%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$39.33$39.33
$79.9Rp 1.4M
-50.80%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.79$13.79
$4.06Rp 72.6K
239.66%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.26$30.26
$23.52Rp 420.0K
28.66%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$29.61$29.61
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-70.00%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.84$14.84
$6.63Rp 118.4K
123.83%
Cinema Ticket
$6.07$6.07
$4.15Rp 74.1K
46.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$255$255
$304Rp 5.4M
-16.14%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,356$2,356
$6,613Rp 118.1M
-64.37%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.59$49.59
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-10.71%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.10$37.10
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-3.16%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.5$88.5
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-0.14%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$58.9$58.9
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-24.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$336$336
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-66.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$187$187
$675Rp 12.1M
-72.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$616$616
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-82.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$251$251
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-87.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,133$1,133
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-60.13%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$883$883
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-61.00%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ambato
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$668$668
$165Rp 3.0M
304.56%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8
13.28
-39.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ambato: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $336 in Ambato versus $1,006 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 305% higher in Ambato, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Ambato versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $141 vs $302 – making Ambato the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Ambato vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ambato or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 112% more than Ambato, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Ambato vs Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,004 per month in Ambato and $2,129 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ambato or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ambato, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Ambato vs Ubud, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $25.00 in Ambato and $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Ambato compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $669 in Ambato and $1,419 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ambato or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ambato, where all-in costs run around $669, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In Ambato it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ambato or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ambato costs $669 versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ambato 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 Ambato or Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Ambato. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.