🙂A single person spends $583 per month in Banda Aceh vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $906 per month in Banda Aceh vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,229 per month in Banda Aceh vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Banda Aceh is about 58% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Banda Aceh sits 56% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.56Rp 28.1K
$3.57Rp 64.5K
-56.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.45Rp 224.7K
$32.32Rp 583.4K
-61.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.28Rp 59.3K
$5.01Rp 90.4K
-34.53%
Cappuccino
$1.15Rp 20.7K
$2.82Rp 51.0K
-59.22%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51Rp 9,286
$1.35Rp 24.4K
-62.22%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28Rp 5,063
$0.73Rp 13.2K
-61.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.44Rp 44.0K
$2.93Rp 53.0K
-16.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51Rp 63.3K
$3.94Rp 71.1K
-10.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19Rp 21.4K
$1.78Rp 32.1K
-33.15%
White Bread(500g)
$1.18Rp 21.4K
$2.45Rp 44.2K
-51.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$1.15Rp 20.7K
-44.35%
Eggs
$1.54Rp 27.8K
$2.41Rp 43.6K
-36.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.00Rp 144.3K
$14.33Rp 258.7K
-44.17%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.13Rp 56.5K
$4.19Rp 75.6K
-25.30%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.96Rp 143.7K
$12.06Rp 217.7K
-34.00%
Apples(1kg)
$2.34Rp 42.2K
$3.64Rp 65.7K
-35.71%
Banana(1kg)
$1.50Rp 27.1K
$1.57Rp 28.3K
-4.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.79Rp 32.4K
$2.79Rp 50.3K
-35.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.49Rp 27.0K
$2.24Rp 40.5K
-33.48%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.9K
$1.98Rp 35.7K
-33.33%
Onion(1kg)
$1.96Rp 35.4K
$2.28Rp 41.1K
-14.04%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89Rp 16.1K
$1.05Rp 19.0K
-15.24%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45Rp 8,115
$0.79Rp 14.2K
-43.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.56Rp 46.2K
$3.19Rp 57.6K
-19.75%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.49Rp 424.1K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.03Rp 36.7K
$2.90Rp 52.3K
-30.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.21Rp 57.9K
$2.76Rp 49.7K
16.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.30Rp 5,381
$0.27Rp 4,813
11.11%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.73Rp 175.7K
$8.37Rp 151.1K
16.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.53Rp 9,542
$0.45Rp 8,167
17.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34Rp 6,201
$0.46Rp 8,298
-26.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.85Rp 51.4K
$6.07Rp 109.6K
-53.05%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60Rp 10.8K
$0.86Rp 15.6K
-30.23%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9KRp 449.7M
$26.6KRp 480.0M
-6.31%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.7KRp 499.6M
$32.5KRp 587.6M
-14.98%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.1Rp 1.3M
$79.0Rp 1.4M
-11.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.20Rp 75.8K
$4.09Rp 73.9K
2.69%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.02Rp 415.5K
$23.85Rp 430.5K
-3.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.46Rp 423.5K
$98.8Rp 1.8M
-76.25%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.13Rp 110.7K
$6.35Rp 114.7K
-3.46%
Cinema Ticket
$3.03Rp 54.6K
$4.01Rp 72.3K
-24.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$93.1Rp 1.7M
$297Rp 5.4M
-68.67%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,626Rp 137.7M
$6,602Rp 119.2M
15.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.92Rp 576.2K
$53.4Rp 964.5K
-40.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.38Rp 422.1K
$38.11Rp 688.1K
-38.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$35.46Rp 640.1K
$88.7Rp 1.6M
-60.00%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$34.16Rp 616.6K
$76.6Rp 1.4M
-55.42%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$258Rp 4.6M
$1,020Rp 18.4M
-74.74%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$158Rp 2.8M
$680Rp 12.3M
-76.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$579Rp 10.5M
$3,469Rp 62.6M
-83.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$337Rp 6.1M
$2,090Rp 37.7M
-83.89%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,729Rp 49.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,295Rp 41.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Banda Aceh
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$164Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Banda Aceh: July 27, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $258 in Banda Aceh versus $1,020 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $12.00 in Banda Aceh versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $165 vs $298 – making Banda Aceh 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
Banda Aceh vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Banda Aceh?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 139%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $874 per month in Banda Aceh and $2,088 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Banda Aceh, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $93.1 per month in Banda Aceh and $297 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Banda Aceh and in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 81% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Banda Aceh or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Banda Aceh, where all-in costs run around $583, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. In Banda Aceh it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Banda Aceh or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Banda Aceh – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Banda Aceh or 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Banda Aceh. 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.
Banda Aceh vs other spots: cost of living compared