Cost of Living Comparison Between Ba and Ubud, BaliCost of Living Comparison Between Ba and Ubud, Bali
Monthly Cost of Living
🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $490 in Ba versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $806 in Ba versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,122 in Ba versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Ba costs roughly 65% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ba is 63% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.96FJD 4.38
$3.45Rp 62.0K
-43.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.04FJD 67.2
$32.34Rp 580.1K
-7.11%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.88FJD 13.17
$4.84Rp 86.9K
21.49%
Cappuccino
$2.05FJD 4.58
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-25.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.02FJD 2.29
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-26.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66FJD 1.48
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-12.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.19FJD 7.14
$2.99Rp 53.7K
6.69%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.53FJD 7.90
$3.85Rp 69.1K
-8.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.29FJD 2.89
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-25.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49FJD 1.10
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-80.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21FJD 2.70
$1.17Rp 21.0K
3.42%
Eggs
$3.35FJD 7.50
$2.43Rp 43.6K
37.86%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.51FJD 21.29
$14.50Rp 260.2K
-34.41%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.08FJD 15.85
$4.35Rp 78.0K
62.76%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.54FJD 16.88
$11.98Rp 214.9K
-37.06%
Apples(1kg)
$2.53FJD 5.67
$3.72Rp 66.7K
-31.99%
Banana(1kg)
$2.52FJD 5.64
$1.63Rp 29.2K
54.60%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.38FJD 7.57
$2.74Rp 49.2K
23.36%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.29FJD 7.37
$2.24Rp 40.2K
46.87%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54FJD 3.44
$1.92Rp 34.4K
-19.79%
Onion(1kg)
$1.18FJD 2.64
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-48.25%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.21FJD 2.70
$1.06Rp 19.1K
14.15%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.82FJD 1.83
$0.72Rp 12.9K
13.89%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.86FJD 22.07
$3.29Rp 58.9K
199.70%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.19Rp 416.1K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.12FJD 4.73
$2.78Rp 49.8K
-23.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41FJD 7.63
$2.73Rp 49.0K
24.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,778
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.11Rp 145.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.85FJD 1.90
$0.48Rp 8,659
77.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.42Rp 7,532
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$8.67FJD 19.41
$6.22Rp 111.6K
39.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.40FJD 3.13
$0.81Rp 14.6K
72.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4KFJD 54.7K
$26.6KRp 477.4M
-8.22%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.2KFJD 56.3K
$32.2KRp 577.4M
-21.82%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$45.95FJD 103
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-41.35%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.03FJD 29.16
$4.07Rp 73.0K
220.15%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.83FJD 53.3
$24.33Rp 436.4K
-2.06%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.34Rp 113.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.34FJD 9.71
$3.99Rp 71.5K
8.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$229FJD 514
$305Rp 5.5M
-24.77%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$14.3KFJD 31.9K
$6,642Rp 119.2M
114.61%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.30FJD 58.9
$54.1Rp 971.2K
-51.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.42FJD 61.4
$37.81Rp 678.2K
-27.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$70.0FJD 157
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-19.45%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.3FJD 137
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-19.72%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$992Rp 17.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$673Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,375Rp 60.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,805Rp 50.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,227Rp 39.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$388FJD 869
$167Rp 3.0M
132.50%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
13.28
-69.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ba: July 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Ba pays 132% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $30.00 in Ba vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $219 vs $297 per month, with Ba 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
Ba vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ba or Ubud, Bali?
Ba wins on cost – living expenses run 187% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ba the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ba or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 132% higher in Ba, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do childcare costs compare in Ba and in Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $229 in Ba versus $305 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Ba and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Ba – a meal for two runs $30.00 versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ba or in Ubud, Bali?
At $490 in Ba versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ba but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Ba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ba or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ba delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $490 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ba hard to pass up.
How safe is Ba compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Ba 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 187% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.