🙂A single person spends $795 per month in Kuantan vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,177 per month in Kuantan vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,560 per month in Kuantan vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Kuantan is about 44% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Kuantan sits 41% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.35MYR 9.37
$3.56Rp 63.9K
-33.99%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.75MYR 46.88
$32.73Rp 586.8K
-64.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.47MYR 13.86
$4.95Rp 88.7K
-29.90%
Cappuccino
$2.21MYR 8.83
$2.71Rp 48.6K
-18.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.66MYR 2.65
$1.34Rp 24.1K
-50.75%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.34MYR 1.34
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-51.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.58MYR 14.27
$2.92Rp 52.3K
22.60%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.30MYR 21.16
$3.96Rp 70.9K
33.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.68MYR 6.71
$1.81Rp 32.4K
-7.18%
White Bread(500g)
$1.07MYR 4.26
$2.52Rp 45.1K
-57.54%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.06MYR 4.22
$1.16Rp 20.8K
-8.62%
Eggs
$1.23MYR 4.92
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-50.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.00MYR 39.91
$14.71Rp 263.7K
-32.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.48MYR 13.89
$4.32Rp 77.4K
-19.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.99MYR 23.89
$12.14Rp 217.5K
-50.66%
Apples(1kg)
$3.00MYR 11.98
$3.84Rp 68.8K
-21.87%
Banana(1kg)
$1.77MYR 7.05
$1.56Rp 27.9K
13.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.94MYR 11.73
$2.83Rp 50.8K
3.89%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.03MYR 8.09
$2.33Rp 41.7K
-12.88%
Potato(1kg)
$1.26MYR 5.04
$1.91Rp 34.3K
-34.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03MYR 4.12
$2.20Rp 39.5K
-53.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.74MYR 2.95
$1.01Rp 18.2K
-26.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54MYR 2.17
$0.78Rp 13.9K
-30.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.32MYR 17.23
$3.32Rp 59.4K
30.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$20.51MYR 81.8
$23.74Rp 425.5K
-13.61%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.94MYR 7.75
$2.79Rp 50.0K
-30.47%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94MYR 7.74
$2.86Rp 51.3K
-32.17%
🚌 Getting Around
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.46MYR 1.83
$0.27Rp 4,819
70.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$20.31MYR 81.0
$8.03Rp 143.9K
152.93%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.03MYR 4.10
$0.46Rp 8,181
123.91%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37MYR 1.49
$0.45Rp 8,068
-17.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$4.18MYR 16.66
$6.10Rp 109.3K
-31.48%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.46MYR 1.82
$0.79Rp 14.2K
-41.77%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$33.2KMYR 132.4K
$26.1KRp 468.8M
26.92%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KMYR 126.8K
$32.1KRp 575.8M
-1.06%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$23.18MYR 92.5
$79.9Rp 1.4M
-71.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.52MYR 37.99
$4.06Rp 72.9K
134.48%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.18MYR 84.5
$23.52Rp 421.6K
-9.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.75MYR 147
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-62.77%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.75MYR 22.95
$6.63Rp 118.8K
-13.27%
Cinema Ticket
$4.06MYR 16.21
$4.15Rp 74.3K
-2.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$119MYR 476
$304Rp 5.4M
-60.76%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,303MYR 17.2K
$6,613Rp 118.5M
-34.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.0MYR 287
$55.5Rp 995.6K
29.60%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.88MYR 111
$38.31Rp 686.7K
-27.23%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$37.02MYR 148
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-58.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.66MYR 190
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-38.80%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167MYR 668
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-83.38%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$270MYR 1,077
$675Rp 12.1M
-60.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$209MYR 833
$3,442Rp 61.7M
-93.93%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$472MYR 1,881
$2,039Rp 36.6M
-76.88%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,947MYR 7,767
$2,841Rp 50.9M
-31.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$958MYR 3,824
$2,264Rp 40.6M
-57.66%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kuantan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,003MYR 4,002
$165Rp 3.0M
507.06%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.62
13.28
-72.74%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kuantan: June 1, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $167 in Kuantan versus $1,006 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 507% higher in Kuantan, 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 $12.00 in Kuantan versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $219 vs $302 – making Kuantan 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
Kuantan vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Kuantan?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 79%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $1,192 per month in Kuantan and $2,129 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 Kuantan, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $119 per month in Kuantan and $304 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Kuantan and Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 38% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Kuantan or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Kuantan, where all-in costs run around $795, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In Kuantan it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Kuantan or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Kuantan – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Kuantan 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 Kuantan. 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.