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 $919 per month in Butterworth vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,372 per month in Butterworth vs $2,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,825 per month in Butterworth vs $3,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Butterworth is about 33% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Butterworth sits 33% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.59 MYR 14.70
$3.44 Rp 61.0K
4.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$20.01 MYR 81.9
$36.31 Rp 644.5K
-44.89%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.59 MYR 18.79
$5.71 Rp 101.3K
-19.61%
Cappuccino
$2.97 MYR 12.16
$2.67 Rp 47.4K
11.24%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.78 MYR 3.21
$1.75 Rp 31.1K
-55.43%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 MYR 1.50
$0.87 Rp 15.5K
-57.47%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.26 MYR 17.43
$2.95 Rp 52.4K
44.41%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30 MYR 17.59
$4.52 Rp 80.2K
-4.87%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.20 MYR 9.01
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
35.80%
White Bread (500g)
$1.05 MYR 4.31
$2.33 Rp 41.4K
-54.94%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.69 MYR 6.91
$1.11 Rp 19.7K
52.25%
Eggs
$2.22 MYR 9.09
$2.20 Rp 39.1K
0.91%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$13.33 MYR 54.6
$17.69 Rp 314.0K
-24.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.44 MYR 18.16
$4.10 Rp 72.7K
8.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.72 MYR 35.69
$12.18 Rp 216.1K
-28.41%
Apples (1kg)
$2.80 MYR 11.45
$3.71 Rp 65.8K
-24.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.66 MYR 6.80
$1.59 Rp 28.2K
4.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.36 MYR 9.65
$2.28 Rp 40.5K
3.51%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 5.79
$1.95 Rp 34.7K
-27.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.11 MYR 4.54
$1.91 Rp 33.8K
-41.88%
Onion (1kg)
$1.14 MYR 4.68
$2.33 Rp 41.4K
-51.07%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.11 MYR 4.53
$1.01 Rp 17.9K
9.90%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 MYR 2.21
$0.55 Rp 9,795
-1.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.44 MYR 18.16
$2.23 Rp 39.6K
99.10%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.28 MYR 78.9
$23.07 Rp 409.5K
-16.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.89 MYR 11.84
$2.42 Rp 42.9K
19.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.03 MYR 16.49
$3.00 Rp 53.2K
34.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.66 MYR 2.70
$0.27 Rp 4,825
144.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.82 MYR 56.6
$8.98 Rp 159.4K
53.90%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.21 MYR 4.95
$0.48 Rp 8,586
152.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 MYR 1.55
$0.43 Rp 7,697
-11.63%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.78 MYR 19.58
$5.64 Rp 100.1K
-15.25%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.77 MYR 3.16
$0.80 Rp 14.3K
-3.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$41.6K MYR 170.4K
$24.9K Rp 442.7M
66.85%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.2K MYR 144.2K
$31.7K Rp 562.8M
11.11%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$37.38 MYR 153
$81.5 Rp 1.4M
-54.11%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.18 MYR 37.59
$6.49 Rp 115.2K
41.45%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.57 MYR 105
$18.77 Rp 333.1K
36.23%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$35.34 MYR 145
$56.9 Rp 1.0M
-37.86%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.77 MYR 27.70
$18.73 Rp 332.4K
-63.85%
Cinema Ticket
$5.29 MYR 21.64
$4.54 Rp 80.5K
16.52%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$299 MYR 1,222
$481 Rp 8.5M
-37.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$10.8K MYR 44.2K
$5,711 Rp 101.4M
89.11%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.3 MYR 251
$45.52 Rp 807.9K
34.69%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.44 MYR 145
$35.88 Rp 636.9K
-1.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.7 MYR 339
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
2.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$69.7 MYR 285
$78.7 Rp 1.4M
-11.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$418 MYR 1,712
$1,115 Rp 19.8M
-62.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$352 MYR 1,440
$698 Rp 12.4M
-49.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$738 MYR 3,020
$3,637 Rp 64.5M
-79.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$494 MYR 2,021
$1,737 Rp 30.8M
-71.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,040 MYR 8,351
$2,784 Rp 49.4M
-26.72%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,102 MYR 4,510
$2,290 Rp 40.6M
-51.87%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Butterworth
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$168 Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.2
13.78
-69.52%

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

Last update for Butterworth: September 14, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $418 in Butterworth versus $1,115 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 $20.00 in Butterworth versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $255 vs $295 – 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: $919 in Butterworth, $1,368 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 49% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Butterworth compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,378 per month in Butterworth and $2,052 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 $919 in Butterworth and $1,368 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 54% 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 $919, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. 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 $919 in Butterworth to $1,368 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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