Cost of Living Comparison Between La Romana and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between La Romana and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $804 per month in La Romana vs $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,423 per month in La Romana vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,043 per month in La Romana vs $3,732 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

La Romana is about 44% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

La Romana sits 40% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 7% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.45 DOP 503
$3.57 Rp 61.6K
136.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.5 DOP 3,005
$32.58 Rp 562.6K
55.00%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.25 DOP 432
$5.07 Rp 87.5K
43.00%
Cappuccino
$2.75 DOP 164
$2.83 Rp 48.8K
-2.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.00 DOP 59.4
$1.34 Rp 23.1K
-25.37%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 DOP 23.28
$0.69 Rp 12.0K
-43.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.50 DOP 149
$2.99 Rp 51.6K
-16.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.23 DOP 312
$3.85 Rp 66.4K
35.84%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.12 DOP 66.6
$1.74 Rp 30.1K
-35.63%
White Bread (500g)
$1.79 DOP 107
$2.54 Rp 43.8K
-29.53%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 DOP 93.5
$1.19 Rp 20.6K
31.93%
Eggs
$2.23 DOP 133
$2.43 Rp 41.9K
-8.23%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.00 DOP 417
$14.66 Rp 253.2K
-52.25%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.98 DOP 297
$4.18 Rp 72.1K
19.14%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.99 DOP 297
$11.94 Rp 206.1K
-58.21%
Apples (1kg)
$3.34 DOP 199
$3.69 Rp 63.6K
-9.49%
Banana (1kg)
$0.91 DOP 54.0
$1.61 Rp 27.7K
-43.48%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.92 DOP 174
$2.69 Rp 46.4K
8.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.92 DOP 114
$2.33 Rp 40.2K
-17.60%
Potato (1kg)
$2.46 DOP 146
$1.91 Rp 32.9K
28.80%
Onion (1kg)
$2.32 DOP 138
$2.19 Rp 37.7K
5.94%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.12 DOP 66.9
$1.06 Rp 18.3K
5.66%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 DOP 58.0
$0.72 Rp 12.5K
34.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.15 DOP 306
$3.13 Rp 54.1K
64.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.61 DOP 691
$23.49 Rp 405.6K
-50.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74 DOP 163
$2.74 Rp 47.3K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.27 DOP 195
$2.88 Rp 49.7K
13.54%
🚌 Getting Around
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.29 Rp 5,010
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.17 Rp 141.0K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.34 DOP 199
$0.45 Rp 7,834
642.22%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.17 DOP 129
$0.42 Rp 7,278
416.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.84 DOP 347
$6.16 Rp 106.3K
-5.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.34 DOP 79.5
$0.84 Rp 14.5K
59.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K DOP 1.6M
$26.2K Rp 453.1M
1.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8K DOP 1.9M
$32.5K Rp 560.8M
-2.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$66.6 DOP 3,966
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-15.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.60 DOP 1,048
$3.95 Rp 68.2K
345.57%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.37 DOP 2,046
$24.40 Rp 421.4K
40.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$96.5 Rp 1.7M
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.35 Rp 109.6K
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.89 DOP 410
$4.04 Rp 69.7K
70.54%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$266 DOP 15.8K
$303 Rp 5.2M
-12.06%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,181 DOP 486.9K
$6,523 Rp 112.6M
25.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.8 DOP 3,558
$53.8 Rp 929.5K
11.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.1 DOP 3,101
$37.98 Rp 655.8K
37.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$96.8 DOP 5,764
$86.8 Rp 1.5M
11.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 DOP 6,811
$78.9 Rp 1.4M
45.11%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$202 DOP 12.0K
$1,012 Rp 17.5M
-80.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$135 DOP 8,010
$674 Rp 11.6M
-80.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$420 DOP 25.0K
$3,390 Rp 58.5M
-87.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$494 DOP 29.4K
$2,098 Rp 36.2M
-76.44%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,985 Rp 51.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,339 Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$173 Rp 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: April 28, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $202 in La Romana versus $1,012 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 $50.0 in La Romana versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $220 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 79%, 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 $1,206 per month in La Romana and $2,158 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 vs Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $804 in La Romana and $1,438 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 $303 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 La Romana or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in La Romana, where all-in costs run around $804, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,438. 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.

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