🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $466 in Kurunegala versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $765 in Kurunegala versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,064 in Kurunegala versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Kurunegala costs roughly 67% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Kurunegala is 66% below, Ubud, Bali is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.80LKR 591
$3.37Rp 59.5K
-46.59%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.79LKR 8,134
$38.59Rp 680.4K
-35.76%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.59LKR 1,505
$5.52Rp 97.3K
-16.85%
Cappuccino
$2.52LKR 826
$2.64Rp 46.6K
-4.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.44LKR 144
$1.67Rp 29.5K
-73.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27LKR 89.5
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-64.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.21LKR 726
$2.63Rp 46.4K
-15.97%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00LKR 985
$4.28Rp 75.5K
-29.91%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.51LKR 495
$1.55Rp 27.3K
-2.58%
White Bread(500g)
$0.44LKR 146
$2.22Rp 39.2K
-80.18%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.80LKR 262
$1.13Rp 19.8K
-29.20%
Eggs
$1.63LKR 536
$2.09Rp 36.8K
-22.01%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.38LKR 4,391
$17.39Rp 306.7K
-23.06%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.99LKR 1,636
$3.87Rp 68.2K
28.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.54LKR 2,472
$12.55Rp 221.3K
-39.92%
Apples(1kg)
$6.72LKR 2,206
$3.62Rp 63.8K
85.64%
Banana(1kg)
$0.87LKR 285
$1.56Rp 27.5K
-44.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$4.27LKR 1,400
$2.35Rp 41.5K
81.70%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.23LKR 405
$2.06Rp 36.2K
-40.29%
Potato(1kg)
$1.02LKR 335
$1.90Rp 33.5K
-46.32%
Onion(1kg)
$0.77LKR 251
$2.34Rp 41.2K
-67.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.91LKR 297
$1.03Rp 18.2K
-11.65%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.46LKR 149
$0.55Rp 9,781
-16.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.42LKR 3,417
$2.25Rp 39.7K
363.11%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.90LKR 4,560
$23.81Rp 419.8K
-41.62%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.92LKR 629
$2.31Rp 40.8K
-16.88%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81LKR 922
$2.80Rp 49.4K
0.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,803
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.66Rp 152.7K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.39LKR 127
$0.48Rp 8,490
-18.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31LKR 102
$0.45Rp 7,865
-31.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.90LKR 294
$5.72Rp 100.8K
-84.27%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05LKR 345
$0.76Rp 13.4K
38.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.2KLKR 9.9M
$24.5KRp 431.7M
23.16%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.0KLKR 13.8M
$32.1KRp 566.4M
30.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$54.1LKR 17.7K
$83.6Rp 1.5M
-35.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.30LKR 1,411
$6.46Rp 113.8K
-33.44%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.19LKR 6,952
$18.99Rp 334.9K
11.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$56.0Rp 987.0K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.62Rp 328.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.31LKR 1,414
$4.28Rp 75.5K
0.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.64LKR 12.4K
$487Rp 8.6M
-92.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,219LKR 399.9K
$5,856Rp 103.3M
-79.18%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$20.34LKR 6,673
$45.56Rp 803.3K
-55.36%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.97LKR 5,568
$36.38Rp 641.5K
-53.35%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$80.2LKR 26.3K
$82.0Rp 1.4M
-2.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$42.13LKR 13.8K
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-47.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$701Rp 12.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,537Rp 62.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,762Rp 31.1M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,826Rp 49.8M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,292Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Kurunegala
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$152LKR 50.0K
$170Rp 3.0M
-10.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.69
13.78
-7.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Kurunegala: August 29, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Ubud, Bali pays 11% 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: $25.00 in Kurunegala vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $236 vs $293 per month, with Kurunegala cheaper across the board.
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
Kurunegala vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Kurunegala?
Kurunegala is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Getting Around. The 200% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Kurunegala or Ubud, Bali?
On paper, salaries run 11% lower in Ubud, Bali. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $37.64 in Kurunegala versus $487 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Is eating out cheaper in Kurunegala or in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Kurunegala – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Kurunegala or in Ubud, Bali?
At $466 in Kurunegala versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Kurunegala but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Kurunegala the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Kurunegala or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Kurunegala is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Kurunegala or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Kurunegala 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Kurunegala gentler on the wallet – expenses run 200% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Kurunegala vs other spots: cost of living compared