Cost of Living Comparison Between Butterworth and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Butterworth and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $846 per month in Butterworth vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,306 per month in Butterworth vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,766 per month in Butterworth vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Butterworth is about 39% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Butterworth sits 36% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.08 MYR 12.58
$3.57 Rp 64.3K
-13.73%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.93 MYR 85.5
$32.32 Rp 581.4K
-35.24%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.68 MYR 19.11
$5.01 Rp 90.1K
-6.59%
Cappuccino
$2.85 MYR 11.65
$2.82 Rp 50.8K
1.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.72 MYR 2.96
$1.35 Rp 24.3K
-46.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34 MYR 1.38
$0.73 Rp 13.1K
-53.42%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.29 MYR 17.53
$2.93 Rp 52.8K
46.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.35 MYR 17.78
$3.94 Rp 70.8K
10.41%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 MYR 7.36
$1.78 Rp 32.0K
1.12%
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 MYR 4.21
$2.45 Rp 44.1K
-57.96%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.67 MYR 6.83
$1.15 Rp 20.7K
45.22%
Eggs
$2.12 MYR 8.66
$2.41 Rp 43.4K
-12.03%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.62 MYR 59.7
$14.33 Rp 257.8K
2.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.71 MYR 19.25
$4.19 Rp 75.3K
12.41%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.92 MYR 40.52
$12.06 Rp 216.9K
-17.74%
Apples (1kg)
$2.80 MYR 11.43
$3.64 Rp 65.4K
-23.08%
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 MYR 6.00
$1.57 Rp 28.2K
-6.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.68 MYR 10.96
$2.79 Rp 50.1K
-3.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.52 MYR 6.21
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
-32.14%
Potato (1kg)
$1.14 MYR 4.67
$1.98 Rp 35.6K
-42.42%
Onion (1kg)
$1.17 MYR 4.77
$2.28 Rp 41.0K
-48.68%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.90 MYR 3.68
$1.05 Rp 19.0K
-14.29%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45 MYR 1.85
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
-43.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.37 MYR 17.83
$3.19 Rp 57.4K
36.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.14 MYR 74.1
$23.49 Rp 422.6K
-22.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.70 MYR 11.02
$2.90 Rp 52.1K
-6.90%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47 MYR 14.19
$2.76 Rp 49.6K
25.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.72 MYR 2.95
$0.27 Rp 4,796
166.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.55 MYR 47.16
$8.37 Rp 150.5K
37.99%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.68 MYR 2.77
$0.45 Rp 8,138
51.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.50 MYR 2.03
$0.46 Rp 8,269
8.70%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.62 MYR 18.86
$6.07 Rp 109.2K
-23.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.49 MYR 2.01
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
-43.02%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.5K MYR 136.8K
$26.6K Rp 478.3M
26.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6K MYR 112.5K
$32.5K Rp 585.6M
-15.34%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$39.20 MYR 160
$79.0 Rp 1.4M
-50.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.29 MYR 42.00
$4.09 Rp 73.6K
151.59%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.61 MYR 105
$23.85 Rp 429.0K
7.38%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$36.45 MYR 149
$98.8 Rp 1.8M
-63.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.96 MYR 24.33
$6.35 Rp 114.3K
-6.14%
Cinema Ticket
$4.93 MYR 20.13
$4.01 Rp 72.1K
22.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$239 MYR 975
$297 Rp 5.3M
-19.69%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,139 MYR 25.1K
$6,602 Rp 118.8M
-7.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.5 MYR 222
$53.4 Rp 961.1K
1.97%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.06 MYR 119
$38.11 Rp 685.7K
-23.75%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$60.7 MYR 248
$88.7 Rp 1.6M
-31.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.9 MYR 216
$76.6 Rp 1.4M
-31.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$381 MYR 1,556
$1,020 Rp 18.3M
-62.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$274 MYR 1,118
$680 Rp 12.2M
-59.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$648 MYR 2,646
$3,469 Rp 62.4M
-81.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$475 MYR 1,940
$2,090 Rp 37.6M
-77.27%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,072 MYR 8,459
$2,729 Rp 49.1M
-24.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,150 MYR 4,698
$2,295 Rp 41.3M
-49.88%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$164 Rp 2.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.16
13.28
-68.67%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Butterworth: July 26, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $381 in Butterworth 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 $21.00 in Butterworth versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $253 vs $298 – making Butterworth 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
Butterworth vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Butterworth and in Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $846 in Butterworth, $1,392 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 65% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Butterworth compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,268 per month in Butterworth and $2,088 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Butterworth and Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Butterworth, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Butterworth or Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $846 in Butterworth and $1,392 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do commuting costs compare in Butterworth and in Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 38% less in Butterworth. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Butterworth, where all-in costs run around $846, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. In Butterworth it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Butterworth and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $846 in Butterworth to $1,392 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Butterworth or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Butterworth and Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Butterworth. 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.

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