😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,848 in Aruba versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,042 in Aruba versus $2,549 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,236 in Aruba versus $3,694 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Living in Aruba is roughly 103% more expensive than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Aruba112% above, Ubud, Bali4% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$13.10AWG 23.44
$3.57Rp 64.0K
266.95%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$89.6AWG 160
$32.50Rp 582.3K
175.69%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.07AWG 18.02
$4.86Rp 87.1K
107.20%
Cappuccino
$4.82AWG 8.63
$2.75Rp 49.2K
75.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.29AWG 4.10
$1.32Rp 23.7K
73.48%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99AWG 3.56
$0.70Rp 12.6K
184.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.28AWG 7.66
$2.91Rp 52.2K
47.08%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.21AWG 11.12
$3.79Rp 68.0K
63.85%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.36AWG 4.23
$1.71Rp 30.6K
38.01%
White Bread(500g)
$3.91AWG 7.00
$2.47Rp 44.3K
58.30%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.92AWG 7.01
$1.20Rp 21.5K
226.67%
Eggs
$5.42AWG 9.69
$2.44Rp 43.8K
122.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$32.06AWG 57.4
$14.38Rp 257.7K
122.95%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.61AWG 11.83
$4.31Rp 77.1K
53.36%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$16.67AWG 29.83
$12.21Rp 218.7K
36.53%
Apples(1kg)
$5.93AWG 10.61
$3.68Rp 66.0K
61.14%
Banana(1kg)
$2.83AWG 5.07
$1.55Rp 27.8K
82.58%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.96AWG 12.46
$2.79Rp 49.9K
149.46%
Tomato(1kg)
$7.92AWG 14.18
$2.33Rp 41.8K
239.91%
Potato(1kg)
$3.90AWG 6.98
$1.97Rp 35.3K
97.97%
Onion(1kg)
$3.80AWG 6.80
$2.31Rp 41.4K
64.50%
Lettuce(1 head)
$6.15AWG 11.01
$1.06Rp 19.1K
480.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$3.71AWG 6.63
$0.73Rp 13.1K
408.22%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$17.60AWG 31.49
$3.28Rp 58.8K
436.59%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.15AWG 32.49
$22.79Rp 408.4K
-20.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.81Rp 50.3K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.95AWG 8.87
$2.78Rp 49.9K
78.06%
🚌 Getting Around
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.29Rp 5,217
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.06Rp 144.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.45Rp 8,047
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.45Rp 8,094
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.24Rp 111.7K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.42AWG 2.54
$0.85Rp 15.2K
67.06%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.0KRp 465.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$31.7KRp 567.2M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$257AWG 461
$80.8Rp 1.4M
218.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$133AWG 238
$4.06Rp 72.7K
3175.62%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.0AWG 120
$24.42Rp 437.6K
174.45%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$59.5AWG 106
$97.7Rp 1.7M
-39.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.45Rp 115.5K
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.97AWG 23.22
$4.04Rp 72.4K
221.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$303AWG 542
$304Rp 5.4M
-0.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$17.6KAWG 31.6K
$6,621Rp 118.6M
166.56%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9AWG 91.1
$54.2Rp 971.7K
-6.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$66.2AWG 118
$38.78Rp 694.7K
70.71%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$121AWG 216
$86.1Rp 1.5M
40.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$76.7Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$724AWG 1,295
$986Rp 17.7M
-26.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,382AWG 2,473
$658Rp 11.8M
109.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,200AWG 5,727
$3,369Rp 60.4M
-5.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$4,041AWG 7,233
$2,066Rp 37.0M
95.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,741Rp 49.1M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,228Rp 39.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Aruba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,943AWG 3,477
$163Rp 2.9M
1088.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
13.28
-47.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Aruba: June 7, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $724 in Aruba and $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Aruba pays 1089% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $90.0 in Aruba vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $528 vs $297 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.
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
Aruba vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Aruba and Ubud, Bali?
Aruba and Ubud, Bali differ by about 103% in total monthly costs ($2,848 vs $1,404 including rent). Ubud, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Aruba or Ubud, Bali?
Aruba pays 1089% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Aruba and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $724 in Aruba versus $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 78% higher in Aruba. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Aruba or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $2,848 per month in Aruba versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali – a 103% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,404 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,848 in Aruba, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Aruba. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Aruba and Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Aruba or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Aruba and Ubud, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Aruba or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 103% less than in Aruba. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.