🙂A single person spends $811 per month in La Romana vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,441 per month in La Romana vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,070 per month in La Romana vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂La Romana is about 42% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊La Romana sits 39% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.66DOP 503
$3.57Rp 64.5K
142.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.8DOP 3,013
$32.32Rp 583.4K
60.40%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.32DOP 425
$5.01Rp 90.4K
46.11%
Cappuccino
$2.70DOP 157
$2.82Rp 51.0K
-4.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03DOP 59.9
$1.35Rp 24.4K
-23.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39DOP 22.89
$0.73Rp 13.2K
-46.58%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.53DOP 147
$2.93Rp 53.0K
-13.65%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.16DOP 300
$3.94Rp 71.1K
30.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.08DOP 62.9
$1.78Rp 32.1K
-39.33%
White Bread(500g)
$1.74DOP 101
$2.45Rp 44.2K
-28.98%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.57DOP 91.1
$1.15Rp 20.7K
36.52%
Eggs
$2.19DOP 127
$2.41Rp 43.6K
-9.13%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.09DOP 412
$14.33Rp 258.7K
-50.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.13DOP 298
$4.19Rp 75.6K
22.43%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.07DOP 295
$12.06Rp 217.7K
-57.96%
Apples(1kg)
$3.30DOP 192
$3.64Rp 65.7K
-9.34%
Banana(1kg)
$0.87DOP 50.7
$1.57Rp 28.3K
-44.59%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.87DOP 167
$2.79Rp 50.3K
2.87%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.01DOP 117
$2.24Rp 40.5K
-10.27%
Potato(1kg)
$2.45DOP 142
$1.98Rp 35.7K
23.74%
Onion(1kg)
$2.29DOP 133
$2.28Rp 41.1K
0.44%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.09DOP 63.1
$1.05Rp 19.0K
3.81%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95DOP 55.4
$0.79Rp 14.2K
20.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18DOP 301
$3.19Rp 57.6K
62.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.16DOP 997
$23.49Rp 424.1K
-26.95%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.71DOP 157
$2.90Rp 52.3K
-6.55%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24DOP 189
$2.76Rp 49.7K
17.39%
🚌 Getting Around
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,813
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.37Rp 151.1K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$3.32DOP 193
$0.45Rp 8,167
637.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.18DOP 127
$0.46Rp 8,298
373.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.78DOP 336
$6.07Rp 109.6K
-4.78%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32DOP 76.7
$0.86Rp 15.6K
53.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9KDOP 1.6M
$26.6KRp 480.0M
1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1KDOP 1.9M
$32.5KRp 587.6M
-1.48%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$68.9DOP 4,005
$79.0Rp 1.4M
-12.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.98DOP 1,045
$4.09Rp 73.9K
339.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.46DOP 2,002
$23.85Rp 430.5K
44.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$98.8Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.35Rp 114.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.83DOP 397
$4.01Rp 72.3K
70.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$266DOP 15.4K
$297Rp 5.4M
-10.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$8,155DOP 473.9K
$6,602Rp 119.2M
23.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.0DOP 3,428
$53.4Rp 964.5K
10.42%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0DOP 2,963
$38.11Rp 688.1K
33.80%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$95.6DOP 5,555
$88.7Rp 1.6M
7.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115DOP 6,662
$76.6Rp 1.4M
49.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$205DOP 11.9K
$1,020Rp 18.4M
-79.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$138DOP 7,994
$680Rp 12.3M
-79.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$429DOP 25.0K
$3,469Rp 62.6M
-87.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$501DOP 29.1K
$2,090Rp 37.7M
-76.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,729Rp 49.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,295Rp 41.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$164Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
11.5
13.28
-13.40%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for La Romana: July 27, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $205 in La Romana versus $1,020 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.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $52.0 in La Romana versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $231 in La Romana vs $298 in Ubud, Bali – so La Romana wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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
La Romana vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than La Romana?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 72%, 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 $1,217 per month in La Romana and $2,088 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 La Romana, 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 La Romana and in Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $811 in La Romana and $1,392 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $266 per month in La Romana and $297 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in La Romana or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in La Romana, where all-in costs run around $811, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. In La Romana it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is La Romana or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward La Romana – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, La Romana 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 La Romana. 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.