🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $605 in Batam versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $996 in Batam versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,387 in Batam versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Batam costs roughly 57% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Batam is 56% below, Ubud, Bali is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.93Rp 34.4K
$3.37Rp 59.9K
-42.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.23Rp 146.3K
$38.59Rp 685.5K
-78.67%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.94Rp 70.1K
$5.52Rp 98.1K
-28.62%
Cappuccino
$2.11Rp 37.4K
$2.64Rp 47.0K
-20.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60Rp 10.6K
$1.67Rp 29.7K
-64.07%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31Rp 5,538
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-59.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.48Rp 44.0K
$2.63Rp 46.8K
-5.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.56Rp 63.3K
$4.28Rp 76.1K
-16.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.19Rp 21.1K
$1.55Rp 27.5K
-23.23%
White Bread(500g)
$1.08Rp 19.2K
$2.22Rp 39.5K
-51.35%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.13Rp 20.0K
-29.20%
Eggs
$1.23Rp 21.9K
$2.09Rp 37.1K
-41.15%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.60Rp 135.1K
$17.39Rp 309.0K
-56.30%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.46Rp 43.6K
$3.87Rp 68.7K
-36.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$4.50Rp 80.0K
$12.55Rp 222.9K
-64.14%
Apples(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.2K
$3.62Rp 64.2K
-38.95%
Banana(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.8K
$1.56Rp 27.7K
28.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.10Rp 37.2K
$2.35Rp 41.8K
-10.64%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.03Rp 18.3K
$2.06Rp 36.5K
-50.00%
Potato(1kg)
$0.97Rp 17.3K
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-48.95%
Onion(1kg)
$2.01Rp 35.7K
$2.34Rp 41.5K
-14.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.34Rp 23.9K
$1.03Rp 18.3K
30.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43Rp 7,585
$0.55Rp 9,854
-21.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.89Rp 51.4K
$2.25Rp 40.0K
28.44%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.22Rp 252.6K
$23.81Rp 422.9K
-40.28%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.81Rp 32.2K
$2.31Rp 41.1K
-21.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41Rp 42.8K
$2.80Rp 49.8K
-13.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.41Rp 7,328
$0.27Rp 4,839
51.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.66Rp 153.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.15Rp 20.4K
$0.48Rp 8,554
139.58%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61Rp 10.8K
$0.45Rp 7,924
35.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$3.63Rp 64.6K
$5.72Rp 101.6K
-36.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73Rp 12.9K
$0.76Rp 13.5K
-3.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$28.4KRp 504.0M
$24.5KRp 434.9M
15.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KRp 449.6M
$32.1KRp 570.6M
-21.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$70.6Rp 1.3M
$83.6Rp 1.5M
-15.55%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.22Rp 74.9K
$6.46Rp 114.7K
-34.67%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.48Rp 417.2K
$18.99Rp 337.4K
23.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$27.14Rp 482.2K
$56.0Rp 994.4K
-51.51%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.52Rp 98.1K
$18.62Rp 330.7K
-70.35%
Cinema Ticket
$2.61Rp 46.4K
$4.28Rp 76.1K
-39.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$85.7Rp 1.5M
$487Rp 8.6M
-82.38%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,343Rp 59.4M
$5,856Rp 104.0M
-42.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.61Rp 561.5K
$45.56Rp 809.3K
-30.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.64Rp 331.2K
$36.38Rp 646.3K
-48.76%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.6Rp 1.1M
$82.0Rp 1.5M
-21.16%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$24.88Rp 441.9K
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-69.05%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$277Rp 4.9M
$1,117Rp 19.8M
-75.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$152Rp 2.7M
$701Rp 12.5M
-78.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$826Rp 14.7M
$3,537Rp 62.8M
-76.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$506Rp 9.0M
$1,762Rp 31.3M
-71.28%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$557Rp 9.9M
$2,826Rp 50.2M
-80.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,292Rp 40.7M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Batam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$341Rp 6.1M
$170Rp 3.0M
100.95%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.17
13.78
-4.43%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Batam: August 30, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $277 in Batam and $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Batam pays 101% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $8.00 in Batam vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $176 vs $293 per month, with Batam 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
Batam vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Batam?
Batam is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 131% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Batam or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 101% higher in Batam, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Batam and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $277 in Batam versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Batam and in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 67% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Batam and in Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $605 per month in Batam versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali – a 131% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Batam or in Ubud, Bali?
At $605 in Batam versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Batam but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Batam the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Batam or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Batam is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Batam or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Batam 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Batam gentler on the wallet – expenses run 131% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.