Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Cheras and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Cheras: $1,144 a month against $1,353 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $2,500 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Ubud, Bali outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Cheras
🇲🇾 Malaysia
$1,144
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,353
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Cheras and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Cheras and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,144 per month in Cheras vs $1,353 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Cheras $1,144
  • Ubud, Bali $1,353

A couple spends around $1,559 per month in Cheras vs $2,297 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Cheras $1,559
  • Ubud, Bali $2,297

A family of three spends $1,975 per month in Cheras vs $3,241 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Cheras $1,975
  • Ubud, Bali $3,241

Cheras is about 15% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Cheras sits 16% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.56 MYR 14.53
$3.23 Rp 58.1K
10.22%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.25 MYR 98.9
$34.88 Rp 627.8K
-30.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.94 MYR 20.15
$5.70 Rp 102.5K
-13.33%
Cappuccino
$3.08 MYR 12.58
$2.62 Rp 47.1K
17.56%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.88 MYR 3.57
$1.72 Rp 31.0K
-48.84%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 MYR 2.43
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-25.93%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.35 MYR 17.76
$2.65 Rp 47.7K
64.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.19 MYR 25.26
$4.37 Rp 78.6K
41.65%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.86 MYR 7.57
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
18.47%
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 MYR 4.20
$2.19 Rp 39.5K
-52.97%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.42 MYR 5.79
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
20.34%
Eggs
$1.82 MYR 7.43
$2.16 Rp 38.8K
-15.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$18.08 MYR 73.8
$17.65 Rp 317.7K
2.44%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.55 MYR 18.56
$3.78 Rp 68.0K
20.37%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.85 MYR 44.28
$11.95 Rp 215.1K
-9.21%
Apples (1kg)
$3.40 MYR 13.86
$3.60 Rp 64.8K
-5.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.85 MYR 7.53
$1.59 Rp 28.6K
16.35%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.63 MYR 10.73
$2.31 Rp 41.6K
13.85%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.67 MYR 6.83
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
-12.57%
Potato (1kg)
$2.07 MYR 8.44
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
16.29%
Onion (1kg)
$1.66 MYR 6.77
$2.33 Rp 41.9K
-28.76%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.38 MYR 5.63
$1.00 Rp 18.0K
38.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 MYR 2.08
$0.53 Rp 9,509
-3.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.30 MYR 17.52
$2.29 Rp 41.1K
87.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.06 MYR 57.4
$22.07 Rp 397.3K
-36.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.62 MYR 10.68
$2.35 Rp 42.2K
11.49%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03 MYR 12.37
$2.98 Rp 53.6K
1.68%
🚌 Getting Around
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.74 MYR 3.03
$0.23 Rp 4,112
221.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$12.49 MYR 51.0
$8.90 Rp 160.2K
40.34%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.02 MYR 4.15
$0.47 Rp 8,466
117.02%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.39 MYR 1.58
$0.43 Rp 7,737
-9.30%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.05 MYR 36.91
$5.47 Rp 98.4K
65.45%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 MYR 3.34
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
-1.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.0K MYR 183.5K
$23.9K Rp 429.8M
88.40%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.0K MYR 142.6K
$32.8K Rp 590.1M
6.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$49.05 MYR 200
$80.0 Rp 1.4M
-38.68%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$11.08 MYR 45.20
$6.56 Rp 118.1K
68.90%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.10 MYR 111
$18.60 Rp 334.8K
45.70%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.8 MYR 211
$54.1 Rp 974.1K
-4.32%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.98 MYR 28.46
$18.28 Rp 329.0K
-61.82%
Cinema Ticket
$4.83 MYR 19.71
$4.25 Rp 76.5K
13.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$162 MYR 661
$493 Rp 8.9M
-67.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,455 MYR 18.2K
$5,597 Rp 100.7M
-20.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.8 MYR 219
$45.58 Rp 820.4K
17.92%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.95 MYR 122
$34.96 Rp 629.4K
-14.33%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.6 MYR 337
$77.7 Rp 1.4M
6.32%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$96.7 MYR 395
$78.5 Rp 1.4M
23.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$384 MYR 1,566
$1,131 Rp 20.4M
-66.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$471 MYR 1,921
$673 Rp 12.1M
-30.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$685 MYR 2,794
$3,613 Rp 65.0M
-81.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$487 MYR 1,985
$1,702 Rp 30.6M
-71.41%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,040 MYR 8,322
$2,717 Rp 48.9M
-24.93%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,107 MYR 4,515
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
-50.62%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cheras
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,153 MYR 4,704
$166 Rp 3.0M
593.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.06
13.78
-70.54%

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

Last update for Cheras: October 20, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Cheras
$471
Ubud, Bali
$673 42.9% $202
Groceries & Markets
Cheras
$267
Ubud, Bali
$287 7.7% $20
Eating Out
Cheras
$120
Ubud, Bali
$106 11.6% $14
Clothing & Footwear
Cheras
$118
Ubud, Bali
$107 10% $12
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cheras
$87
Ubud, Bali
$105 20.6% $18
Sport & Entertainment
Cheras
$61
Ubud, Bali
$63 1.9% $1.2
Getting Around
Cheras
$18
Ubud, Bali
$12 32.5% $6

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $384 in Cheras versus $1,131 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.

Salaries run about 593% higher in Cheras, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $24.00 in Cheras versus $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $267 vs $287 – making Cheras the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇲🇾 Cheras
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
22:23 10:23 PM
22:23 10:23 PM
Same time as Cheras
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
440,000
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to MYR – Malaysian Ringgit Converter

Malaysian Ringgit exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 4.08 MYR (1 MYR = 0.245 USD). 1 EUR = 4.59 MYR (1 MYR = 0.218 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Cheras Ubud, Bali 1,980 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Cheras
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Cheras vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Cheras?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 18%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,715 per month in Cheras and $2,030 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 Cheras, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Cheras and in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 8% 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 eating out cheaper in Cheras or in Ubud, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $24.00 in Cheras and $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Cheras or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Cheras, where all-in costs run around $1,144, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,353. In Cheras it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Cheras or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Cheras – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Cheras 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 Cheras. 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.

Cheras vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities

Show times on the 12-hour clock, temperatures in °F and distances in miles?