😐A single person spends $1,787 per month in Karlstad vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $2,727 per month in Karlstad vs $2,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $3,666 per month in Karlstad vs $3,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐Karlstad costs about 31% more than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both Karlstad and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Karlstad by 31%, Ubud, Bali by 0%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.27SEK 150
$3.44Rp 60.9K
343.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$80.9SEK 797
$36.31Rp 643.0K
122.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.38SEK 102
$5.71Rp 101.0K
81.79%
Cappuccino
$4.93SEK 48.57
$2.67Rp 47.3K
84.64%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.55SEK 25.09
$1.75Rp 31.0K
45.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05SEK 20.17
$0.87Rp 15.4K
135.63%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.13SEK 80.1
$2.95Rp 52.3K
175.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$6.58SEK 64.8
$4.52Rp 80.0K
45.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.53SEK 15.12
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-5.56%
White Bread(500g)
$2.88SEK 28.38
$2.33Rp 41.3K
23.61%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.70SEK 36.51
$1.11Rp 19.6K
233.33%
Eggs
$4.55SEK 44.82
$2.20Rp 39.0K
106.82%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.25SEK 101
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-42.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$14.40SEK 142
$4.10Rp 72.5K
251.22%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.10SEK 178
$12.18Rp 215.6K
48.60%
Apples(1kg)
$3.00SEK 29.58
$3.71Rp 65.6K
-19.14%
Banana(1kg)
$2.70SEK 26.58
$1.59Rp 28.1K
69.81%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.14SEK 30.90
$2.28Rp 40.4K
37.72%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.50SEK 54.2
$1.95Rp 34.6K
182.05%
Potato(1kg)
$1.80SEK 17.78
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-5.76%
Onion(1kg)
$1.74SEK 17.13
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-25.32%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.70SEK 26.63
$1.01Rp 17.8K
167.33%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.34SEK 13.23
$0.55Rp 9,773
143.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.08SEK 69.8
$2.23Rp 39.5K
217.49%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.15SEK 100
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-56.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.44SEK 24.00
$2.42Rp 42.8K
0.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06SEK 20.28
$3.00Rp 53.1K
-31.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$3.26SEK 32.12
$0.27Rp 4,814
1107.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$81.4SEK 802
$8.98Rp 159.1K
806.90%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.65SEK 55.7
$0.48Rp 8,566
1077.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.35SEK 13.30
$0.43Rp 7,679
213.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$63.5SEK 626
$5.64Rp 99.9K
1026.60%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.83SEK 18.04
$0.80Rp 14.2K
128.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.0KSEK 334.9K
$24.9KRp 441.7M
36.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.0KSEK 325.5K
$31.7KRp 561.5M
4.16%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$102SEK 1,005
$81.5Rp 1.4M
25.15%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.84SEK 186
$6.49Rp 115.0K
190.29%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$44.60SEK 440
$18.77Rp 332.4K
137.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$46.80SEK 461
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-17.71%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.06SEK 168
$18.73Rp 331.7K
-8.92%
Cinema Ticket
$14.73SEK 145
$4.54Rp 80.4K
224.45%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$132SEK 1,298
$481Rp 8.5M
-72.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,711Rp 101.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$93.2SEK 918
$45.52Rp 806.0K
104.75%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$40.89SEK 403
$35.88Rp 635.4K
13.96%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$75.5SEK 744
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-6.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$146SEK 1,435
$78.7Rp 1.4M
85.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$880SEK 8,673
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-21.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$596SEK 5,873
$698Rp 12.4M
-14.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,219SEK 12.0K
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-66.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$861SEK 8,485
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-50.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,869SEK 38.1K
$2,784Rp 49.3M
38.96%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,857SEK 28.2K
$2,290Rp 40.5M
24.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karlstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,074SEK 30.3K
$168Rp 3.0M
1729.46%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.94
13.78
-71.41%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karlstad: September 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $880 in Karlstad 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.
💰Salaries run about 1729% higher in Karlstad, 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 $81.0 in Karlstad versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $378 vs $295 – 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
Karlstad vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Karlstad?
Yes – Karlstad is pricier by about 31%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,681 per month in Karlstad and $2,052 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 Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Is eating out cheaper in Karlstad or in Ubud, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $81.0 in Karlstad and $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Karlstad and in Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,787 in Karlstad and $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Karlstad or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,368, than in Karlstad at $1,787. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Karlstad it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Karlstad or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Ubud, Bali – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Karlstad 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 Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Karlstad makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.