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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,167 per month in Hsinchu vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,917 per month in Hsinchu vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,668 per month in Hsinchu vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Hsinchu is about 16% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Hsinchu sits 12% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.16 NT$134
$3.57 Rp 64.5K
16.53%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$33.92 NT$1,095
$32.32 Rp 583.4K
4.95%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.37 NT$174
$5.01 Rp 90.4K
7.19%
Cappuccino
$3.07 NT$99.0
$2.82 Rp 51.0K
8.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92 NT$29.71
$1.35 Rp 24.4K
-31.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 NT$22.38
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
-5.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.67 NT$53.9
$2.93 Rp 53.0K
-43.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32 NT$74.8
$3.94 Rp 71.1K
-41.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.18 NT$103
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
78.65%
White Bread (500g)
$1.77 NT$57.2
$2.45 Rp 44.2K
-27.76%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.34 NT$140
$1.15 Rp 20.7K
277.39%
Eggs
$2.52 NT$81.4
$2.41 Rp 43.6K
4.56%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.13 NT$456
$14.33 Rp 258.7K
-1.40%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.81 NT$155
$4.19 Rp 75.6K
14.80%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$15.96 NT$515
$12.06 Rp 217.7K
32.34%
Apples (1kg)
$4.42 NT$143
$3.64 Rp 65.7K
21.43%
Banana (1kg)
$2.44 NT$78.8
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
55.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 NT$91.4
$2.79 Rp 50.3K
1.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.81 NT$123
$2.24 Rp 40.5K
70.09%
Potato (1kg)
$2.93 NT$94.7
$1.98 Rp 35.7K
47.98%
Onion (1kg)
$2.22 NT$71.8
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
-2.63%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.86 NT$60.2
$1.05 Rp 19.0K
77.14%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 NT$38.38
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
50.63%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.53 NT$146
$3.19 Rp 57.6K
42.01%
Wine (Bottle)
$14.10 NT$455
$23.49 Rp 424.1K
-39.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.71 NT$55.4
$2.90 Rp 52.3K
-41.03%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.53 NT$81.8
$2.76 Rp 49.7K
-8.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.87 NT$28.09
$0.27 Rp 4,813
222.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$40.57 NT$1,310
$8.37 Rp 151.1K
384.71%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.91 NT$94.0
$0.45 Rp 8,167
546.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.72 NT$23.36
$0.46 Rp 8,298
56.52%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.17 NT$199
$6.07 Rp 109.6K
1.65%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.03 NT$33.21
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
19.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.2K NT$1.1M
$26.6K Rp 480.0M
32.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K NT$805.0K
$32.5K Rp 587.6M
-23.41%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$74.1 NT$2,394
$79.0 Rp 1.4M
-6.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.12 NT$811
$4.09 Rp 73.9K
514.18%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.61 NT$795
$23.85 Rp 430.5K
3.19%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.33 NT$1,431
$98.8 Rp 1.8M
-55.12%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$23.47 NT$758
$6.35 Rp 114.7K
269.61%
Cinema Ticket
$10.16 NT$328
$4.01 Rp 72.3K
153.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$423 NT$13.7K
$297 Rp 5.4M
42.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$11.1K NT$359.8K
$6,602 Rp 119.2M
68.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.8 NT$2,804
$53.4 Rp 964.5K
62.51%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.85 NT$1,158
$38.11 Rp 688.1K
-5.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$90.0 NT$2,906
$88.7 Rp 1.6M
1.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$101 NT$3,258
$76.6 Rp 1.4M
31.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$558 NT$18.0K
$1,020 Rp 18.4M
-45.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$361 NT$11.7K
$680 Rp 12.3M
-46.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,199 NT$38.7K
$3,469 Rp 62.6M
-65.43%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$789 NT$25.5K
$2,090 Rp 37.7M
-62.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$8,213 NT$265.2K
$2,729 Rp 49.3M
200.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,061 NT$195.7K
$2,295 Rp 41.4M
164.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Hsinchu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$2,474 NT$79.9K
$164 Rp 3.0M
1411.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
1.57
13.28
-88.18%

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

Last update for Hsinchu: July 26, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $558 in Hsinchu 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.

Salaries run about 1412% higher in Hsinchu, 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 $34.00 in Hsinchu versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $335 vs $298 – 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
Hsinchu vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Hsinchu or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 19% more than Hsinchu, with the gap driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment. 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 Hsinchu and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,750 per month in Hsinchu and $2,088 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Hsinchu or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Hsinchu, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Hsinchu compared to Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 385% less in Hsinchu. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Hsinchu and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $423 per month in Hsinchu and $297 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Hsinchu or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Hsinchu, where all-in costs run around $1,167, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. In Hsinchu it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Hsinchu or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Hsinchu costs $1,167 versus $1,392 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Hsinchu compared to 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.
Should I move to Hsinchu or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Hsinchu. 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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