Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Chicago, IL and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $3,184 per month in Chicago, IL vs $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $4,725 per month in Chicago, IL vs $2,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $6,266 per month in Chicago, IL vs $3,275 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Chicago, IL costs about 131% more than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Chicago, IL and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Chicago, IL by 131%, Ubud, Bali by 0%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.26 $20.26

$3.33 Rp 58.7K

508.41%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 $88.8

$35.82 Rp 630.7K

147.85%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.16 $13.16

$5.63 Rp 99.1K

133.75%

Cappuccino

$5.77 $5.77

$2.82 Rp 49.7K

104.61%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.63 $2.63

$1.75 Rp 30.8K

50.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.34 $2.34

$0.80 Rp 14.0K

192.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.06 $7.06

$3.04 Rp 53.6K

132.24%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.18 $9.18

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

113.49%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.30 $1.30

$1.61 Rp 28.3K

-19.25%

White Bread (500g)

$4.05 $4.05

$2.27 Rp 39.9K

78.41%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$5.69 $5.69

$1.17 Rp 20.6K

386.32%

Eggs

$4.85 $4.85

$2.17 Rp 38.2K

123.50%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$15.08 $15.08

$17.63 Rp 310.5K

-14.46%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$14.87 $14.87

$4.05 Rp 71.4K

267.16%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.28 $19.28

$12.18 Rp 214.5K

58.29%

Apples (1kg)

$5.68 $5.68

$3.62 Rp 63.7K

56.91%

Banana (1kg)

$1.93 $1.93

$1.64 Rp 28.8K

17.68%

Oranges (1kg)

$4.10 $4.10

$2.31 Rp 40.6K

77.49%

Tomato (1kg)

$5.11 $5.11

$1.96 Rp 34.5K

160.71%

Potato (1kg)

$2.92 $2.92

$1.84 Rp 32.5K

58.70%

Onion (1kg)

$2.77 $2.77

$2.37 Rp 41.7K

16.88%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.30 $2.30

$1.05 Rp 18.5K

119.05%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$3.04 $3.04

$0.54 Rp 9,560

462.96%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$15.93 $15.93

$2.30 Rp 40.6K

592.61%

Wine (Bottle)

$15.06 $15.06

$23.08 Rp 406.4K

-34.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 $2.53

$2.34 Rp 41.2K

8.12%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.48 $3.48

$3.07 Rp 54.0K

13.36%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.53 $2.53

$0.25 Rp 4,365

912.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$74.8 $74.8

$9.42 Rp 165.9K

693.63%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.28 $3.28

$0.49 Rp 8,631

569.39%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.36 $1.36

$0.47 Rp 8,349

189.36%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.55 $22.55

$5.60 Rp 98.6K

302.68%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.22 $1.22

$0.81 Rp 14.2K

50.62%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$36.1K $36.1K

$25.0K Rp 440.3M

44.39%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$26.0K $26.0K

$31.1K Rp 547.0M

-16.36%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$188 $188

$82.7 Rp 1.5M

127.78%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$69.0 $69.0

$6.49 Rp 114.2K

963.17%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$63.6 $63.6

$18.79 Rp 330.8K

238.21%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$63.4 $63.4

$55.2 Rp 972.6K

14.84%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$27.11 $27.11

$18.21 Rp 320.6K

48.87%

Cinema Ticket

$17.90 $17.90

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

316.28%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,526 $1,526

$494 Rp 8.7M

208.86%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$31.9K $31.9K

$5,917 Rp 104.2M

438.89%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$62.1 $62.1

$46.28 Rp 814.8K

34.12%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$56.4 $56.4

$36.44 Rp 641.6K

54.72%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$101 $101

$80.7 Rp 1.4M

25.04%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$156 $156

$78.8 Rp 1.4M

98.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,342 $2,342

$1,114 Rp 19.6M

110.27%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,698 $1,698

$693 Rp 12.2M

144.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,576 $4,576

$3,639 Rp 64.1M

25.75%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,806 $2,806

$1,712 Rp 30.1M

63.86%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,130 $4,130

$2,761 Rp 48.6M

49.62%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,740 $2,740

$2,293 Rp 40.4M

19.49%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$4,891 $4,891

$167 Rp 2.9M

2826.93%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.38

13.78

-53.70%

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

Last update for Chicago, IL: September 6, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,342 in Chicago, IL versus $1,114 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 2827% higher in Chicago, IL, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $465 vs $294 – making Ubud, Bali 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

Chicago, IL vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $3,184 in Chicago, IL, $1,378 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 131% apart. Chicago, IL costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,776 per month in Chicago, IL and $2,067 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 58% more in Chicago, IL, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $89.0 in Chicago, IL and $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,378, than in Chicago, IL at $3,184. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Chicago, IL it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Chicago, IL has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,378 in Ubud, Bali to $3,184 in Chicago, IL. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Chicago, IL makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.