Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Knoxville, TN and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,353 a month against $2,576 in Knoxville, TN, rent and utilities included – about $14,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Knoxville, TN
🇺🇸 United States
$2,576
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,353
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,576 in Knoxville, TN versus $1,353 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Knoxville, TN $2,576
  • Ubud, Bali $1,353

Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,786 in Knoxville, TN versus $2,297 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Knoxville, TN $3,786
  • Ubud, Bali $2,297

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,997 in Knoxville, TN versus $3,241 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Knoxville, TN $4,997
  • Ubud, Bali $3,241

Living in Knoxville, TN is roughly 90% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Knoxville, TN 90% above, Ubud, Bali 0% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.71 $17.71
$3.23 Rp 58.1K
448.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.6 $74.6
$34.88 Rp 627.8K
113.76%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.86 $9.86
$5.70 Rp 102.5K
72.98%
Cappuccino
$5.38 $5.38
$2.62 Rp 47.1K
105.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.83 $2.83
$1.72 Rp 31.0K
64.53%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.75 $2.75
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
239.51%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$6.36 $6.36
$2.65 Rp 47.7K
140.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.60 $6.60
$4.37 Rp 78.6K
51.03%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.06 $1.06
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-32.48%
White Bread (500g)
$3.47 $3.47
$2.19 Rp 39.5K
58.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.56 $4.56
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
286.44%
Eggs
$4.46 $4.46
$2.16 Rp 38.8K
106.48%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.08 $10.08
$17.65 Rp 317.7K
-42.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.22 $9.22
$3.78 Rp 68.0K
143.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.91 $14.91
$11.95 Rp 215.1K
24.77%
Apples (1kg)
$7.04 $7.04
$3.60 Rp 64.8K
95.56%
Banana (1kg)
$1.55 $1.55
$1.59 Rp 28.6K
-2.52%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.87 $2.87
$2.31 Rp 41.6K
24.24%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.58 $5.58
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
192.15%
Potato (1kg)
$2.16 $2.16
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
21.35%
Onion (1kg)
$4.36 $4.36
$2.33 Rp 41.9K
87.12%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.23 $2.23
$1.00 Rp 18.0K
123.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.19 $2.19
$0.53 Rp 9,509
313.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$8.99 $8.99
$2.29 Rp 41.1K
292.58%
Wine (Bottle)
$15.23 $15.23
$22.07 Rp 397.3K
-30.99%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.91 $1.91
$2.35 Rp 42.2K
-18.72%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.14 $3.14
$2.98 Rp 53.6K
5.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.02 $1.02
$0.23 Rp 4,112
343.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$29.58 $29.58
$8.90 Rp 160.2K
232.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.10 $5.10
$0.47 Rp 8,466
985.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.51 $1.51
$0.43 Rp 7,737
251.16%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$29.87 $29.87
$5.47 Rp 98.4K
446.07%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
21.69%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.9K $27.9K
$23.9K Rp 429.8M
16.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.3K $27.3K
$32.8K Rp 590.1M
-16.78%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$223 $223
$80.0 Rp 1.4M
179.16%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$74.4 $74.4
$6.56 Rp 118.1K
1033.99%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$53.1 $53.1
$18.60 Rp 334.8K
185.48%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.37 $29.37
$54.1 Rp 974.1K
-45.73%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.90 $21.90
$18.28 Rp 329.0K
19.80%
Cinema Ticket
$15.20 $15.20
$4.25 Rp 76.5K
257.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,246 $1,246
$493 Rp 8.9M
152.99%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.5K $24.5K
$5,597 Rp 100.7M
337.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9 $50.9
$45.58 Rp 820.4K
11.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$45.53 $45.53
$34.96 Rp 629.4K
30.23%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 $112
$77.7 Rp 1.4M
43.67%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$123 $123
$78.5 Rp 1.4M
56.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,811 $1,811
$1,131 Rp 20.4M
60.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,284 $1,284
$673 Rp 12.1M
90.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,901 $2,901
$3,613 Rp 65.0M
-19.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,144 $2,144
$1,702 Rp 30.6M
25.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,681 $4,681
$2,717 Rp 48.9M
72.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,243 $2,243
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
0.07%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Knoxville, TN
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,622 $3,622
$166 Rp 3.0M
2077.14%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.64
13.78
-51.81%

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

Last update for Knoxville, TN: October 18, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Knoxville, TN
$1.3K
Ubud, Bali
$673 47.6% $611
Groceries & Markets
Knoxville, TN
$383
Ubud, Bali
$287 25% $96
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Knoxville, TN
$351
Ubud, Bali
$105 70% $246
Eating Out
Knoxville, TN
$303
Ubud, Bali
$106 64.9% $197
Clothing & Footwear
Knoxville, TN
$149
Ubud, Bali
$107 28.5% $42
Sport & Entertainment
Knoxville, TN
$60
Ubud, Bali
$63 4.8% $2.8
Getting Around
Knoxville, TN
$46
Ubud, Bali
$12 73.1% $34

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,811 in Knoxville, TN and $1,131 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Knoxville, TN pays 2077% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.

Dining out: $75.0 in Knoxville, TN vs $35.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $383 vs $287 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Knoxville, TN
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
06:20 6:20 AM
18:20 6:20 PM
12 h ahead of Knoxville, TN
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
190,740
74,800
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 22, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 22, 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
  • Knoxville, TN Ubud, Bali 16,400 km ≈ 21 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Knoxville, TN
  • 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
Knoxville, TN vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Knoxville, TN or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 90% lower than in Knoxville, TN. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Knoxville, TN or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 2077% higher in Knoxville, TN, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Knoxville, TN compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,811 in Knoxville, TN versus $1,131 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Knoxville, TN or in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 33% higher in Knoxville, TN. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Knoxville, TN and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $35.00 versus $75.0 in Knoxville, TN. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Knoxville, TN or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,353 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,576 in Knoxville, TN, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Knoxville, TN. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Knoxville, TN or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,353 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Knoxville, TN compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Knoxville, TN and Ubud, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 90% less than in Knoxville, TN. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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