Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Hilo, HI and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,331 a month against $2,865 in Hilo, HI, rent and utilities included – about $18,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Hilo, HI, United States
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Hilo, HI
🇺🇸 United States
$2,865
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Hilo, HI 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 Hilo, HI and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $2,865 per month in Hilo, HI vs $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Hilo, HI $2,865
  • Ubud, Bali $1,331

A couple spends around $4,388 per month in Hilo, HI vs $2,255 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Hilo, HI $4,388
  • Ubud, Bali $2,255

A family of three spends $5,910 per month in Hilo, HI vs $3,180 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Hilo, HI $5,910
  • Ubud, Bali $3,180

Hilo, HI costs about 115% more than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Hilo, HI sits 112% above the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.77 $20.77
$3.38 Rp 61.3K
514.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$79.9 $79.9
$34.65 Rp 628.8K
130.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$12.17 $12.17
$5.57 Rp 101.2K
118.49%
Cappuccino
$5.63 $5.63
$2.62 Rp 47.5K
114.89%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.90 $2.90
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
88.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.42 $2.42
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
278.12%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.32 $6.32
$2.67 Rp 48.4K
136.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.57 $7.57
$4.26 Rp 77.4K
77.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.75 $1.75
$1.46 Rp 26.5K
19.86%
White Bread (500g)
$10.08 $10.08
$2.29 Rp 41.6K
340.17%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.28 $4.28
$1.11 Rp 20.1K
285.59%
Eggs
$7.07 $7.07
$2.10 Rp 38.1K
236.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$19.98 $19.98
$15.94 Rp 289.3K
25.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$17.57 $17.57
$3.88 Rp 70.5K
352.84%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$30.15 $30.15
$11.40 Rp 206.9K
164.47%
Apples (1kg)
$8.57 $8.57
$3.55 Rp 64.5K
141.41%
Banana (1kg)
$2.39 $2.39
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
55.19%
Oranges (1kg)
$10.48 $10.48
$2.23 Rp 40.5K
369.96%
Tomato (1kg)
$12.21 $12.21
$1.97 Rp 35.8K
519.80%
Potato (1kg)
$9.04 $9.04
$1.86 Rp 33.7K
386.02%
Onion (1kg)
$7.81 $7.81
$2.42 Rp 43.9K
222.73%
Lettuce (1 head)
$5.36 $5.36
$1.02 Rp 18.6K
425.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$3.02 $3.02
$0.52 Rp 9,479
480.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$11.90 $11.90
$2.20 Rp 39.9K
440.91%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.03 $22.03
$21.79 Rp 395.4K
1.10%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.76 $1.76
$2.33 Rp 42.2K
-24.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.97 Rp 53.9K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.25 Rp 4,544
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.17 Rp 148.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.95 $2.95
$0.44 Rp 7,944
570.45%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.00 $2.00
$0.47 Rp 8,493
325.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$23.57 $23.57
$5.60 Rp 101.6K
320.89%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.41 $1.41
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
69.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.5K $25.5K
$24.4K Rp 443.7M
4.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.0K $26.0K
$31.7K Rp 575.2M
-17.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$302 $302
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
289.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$67.7 $67.7
$6.14 Rp 111.5K
1002.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$125 $125
$18.92 Rp 343.3K
562.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$37.04 $37.04
$51.0 Rp 925.4K
-27.36%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$25.30 $25.30
$18.25 Rp 331.2K
38.63%
Cinema Ticket
$13.24 $13.24
$4.38 Rp 79.5K
202.28%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$492 Rp 8.9M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.8K $11.8K
$12.2K Rp 221.8M
-3.23%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$36.77 $36.77
$45.16 Rp 819.6K
-18.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.88 $29.88
$34.89 Rp 633.2K
-14.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.8 $66.8
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
-14.71%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$83.9 $83.9
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
7.71%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,463 $1,463
$1,078 Rp 19.6M
35.75%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,142 $1,142
$665 Rp 12.1M
71.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,574 $2,574
$3,510 Rp 63.7M
-26.67%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,199 $2,199
$1,671 Rp 30.3M
31.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,600 $5,600
$2,340 Rp 42.5M
139.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,662 $4,662
$2,236 Rp 40.6M
108.48%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hilo, HI
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,795 $3,795
$166 Rp 3.0M
2181.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.62
13.78
-51.96%

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

Last update for Hilo, HI: November 1, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Hilo, HI
$1.1K
Ubud, Bali
$665 41.8% $477
Groceries & Markets
Hilo, HI
$715 *
Ubud, Bali
$279 60.9% $436
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hilo, HI
$495
Ubud, Bali
$103 79.3% $392
Eating Out
Hilo, HI
$338
Ubud, Bali
$106 68.7% $233
Clothing & Footwear
Hilo, HI
$98
Ubud, Bali
$106 8.7% $8.5
Sport & Entertainment
Hilo, HI
$64
Ubud, Bali
$60 5.9% $3.8
Getting Around
Hilo, HI
$13 *
Ubud, Bali
$12 7.9% $1

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,463 in Hilo, HI versus $1,078 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 in Hilo, HI are about 23 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $80 in Hilo, HI versus $35 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $715 vs $279 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Hilo, HI
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
01:16 1:16 AM
19:16 7:16 PM
18 h ahead of Hilo, HI
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
44,186
74,800
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 18,148 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,345 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.92 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Hilo, HI Ubud, Bali 10,290 km ≈ 13 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Hilo, HI
  • 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
Hilo, HI vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hilo, HI or Ubud, Bali?
Hilo, HI costs about 115% more than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Hilo, HI and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,297 per month in Hilo, HI and $1,996 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hilo, HI or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,078 there versus $1,463 in Hilo, HI.
How much does it cost to live in Hilo, HI compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,865 in Hilo, HI and $1,331 in Ubud, Bali. That makes Ubud, Bali about 54% cheaper.
Are groceries more expensive in Hilo, HI or in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 156% more in Hilo, HI, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Hilo, HI or in Ubud, Bali?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $2,865 in Hilo, HI and $1,331 in Ubud, Bali. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Hilo, HI or Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,331 in Ubud, Bali to $2,865 in Hilo, HI. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Hilo, HI compared to Ubud, Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Hilo, HI or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Hilo, HI makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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