🙂A single person spends $836 per month in Kuala Lipis vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,289 per month in Kuala Lipis vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,742 per month in Kuala Lipis vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Kuala Lipis is about 41% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Kuala Lipis sits 37% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.66MYR 10.86
$3.45Rp 62.0K
-22.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.35MYR 95.5
$32.34Rp 580.1K
-27.80%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.68MYR 15.05
$4.84Rp 86.9K
-23.97%
Cappuccino
$1.63MYR 6.66
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-40.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36MYR 1.48
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-73.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34MYR 1.38
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-54.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.27MYR 17.46
$2.99Rp 53.7K
42.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.38MYR 22.02
$3.85Rp 69.1K
39.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.32MYR 5.38
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-24.14%
White Bread(500g)
$0.61MYR 2.49
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-75.20%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.65MYR 2.65
$1.17Rp 21.0K
-44.44%
Eggs
$1.38MYR 5.65
$2.43Rp 43.6K
-43.21%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$22.52MYR 92.1
$14.50Rp 260.2K
55.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.57MYR 10.52
$4.35Rp 78.0K
-40.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.68MYR 31.40
$11.98Rp 214.9K
-35.89%
Apples(1kg)
$3.93MYR 16.08
$3.72Rp 66.7K
5.65%
Banana(1kg)
$1.78MYR 7.30
$1.63Rp 29.2K
9.20%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.42MYR 13.97
$2.74Rp 49.2K
24.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.58MYR 10.54
$2.24Rp 40.2K
15.18%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69MYR 6.92
$1.92Rp 34.4K
-11.98%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68MYR 2.76
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-70.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.11MYR 4.55
$1.06Rp 19.1K
4.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.45MYR 1.84
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-37.50%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.27MYR 17.46
$3.29Rp 58.9K
29.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$19.54MYR 79.9
$23.19Rp 416.1K
-15.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.26MYR 17.43
$2.78Rp 49.8K
53.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.35MYR 21.90
$2.73Rp 49.0K
95.97%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.73MYR 3.00
$0.27Rp 4,778
170.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.54MYR 47.22
$8.11Rp 145.4K
42.29%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.16MYR 4.73
$0.48Rp 8,659
141.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.15MYR 4.68
$0.42Rp 7,532
173.81%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.34MYR 17.77
$6.22Rp 111.6K
-30.23%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.49MYR 2.01
$0.81Rp 14.6K
-39.51%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$43.7KMYR 178.9K
$26.6KRp 477.4M
64.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$13.4KMYR 54.7K
$32.2KRp 577.4M
-58.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.60MYR 117
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-63.50%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.94MYR 40.64
$4.07Rp 73.0K
144.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.66MYR 84.5
$24.33Rp 436.4K
-15.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.34MYR 149
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-63.15%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.80MYR 23.74
$6.34Rp 113.7K
-8.52%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77MYR 23.58
$3.99Rp 71.5K
44.61%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$118MYR 483
$305Rp 5.5M
-61.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,334MYR 17.7K
$6,642Rp 119.2M
-34.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$23.09MYR 94.4
$54.1Rp 971.2K
-57.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.82MYR 114
$37.81Rp 678.2K
-26.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$76.4MYR 312
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-12.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$72.0MYR 295
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-5.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$389MYR 1,591
$992Rp 17.8M
-60.78%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$267MYR 1,094
$673Rp 12.1M
-60.25%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$644MYR 2,635
$3,375Rp 60.5M
-80.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$476MYR 1,947
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-76.78%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,102MYR 8,599
$2,805Rp 50.3M
-25.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,173MYR 4,797
$2,227Rp 39.9M
-47.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuala Lipis
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$447MYR 1,830
$167Rp 3.0M
167.97%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.96
13.28
-70.18%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kuala Lipis: July 11, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $389 in Kuala Lipis versus $992 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 168% higher in Kuala Lipis, 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 $23.00 in Kuala Lipis versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $275 vs $297 – making Kuala Lipis 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
Kuala Lipis vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Kuala Lipis?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 68%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $1,253 per month in Kuala Lipis and $2,112 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 Kuala Lipis, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Kuala Lipis and in Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $836 in Kuala Lipis and $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 42% less in Kuala Lipis. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Kuala Lipis or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kuala Lipis, where all-in costs run around $836, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Kuala Lipis it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Kuala Lipis or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kuala Lipis – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Kuala Lipis 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 Kuala Lipis. 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.
Kuala Lipis vs other spots: cost of living compared