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 $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
$8.66 DOP 503
$3.57 Rp 64.5K
142.58%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$51.8 DOP 3,013
$32.32 Rp 583.4K
60.40%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.32 DOP 425
$5.01 Rp 90.4K
46.11%
Cappuccino
$2.70 DOP 157
$2.82 Rp 51.0K
-4.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 DOP 59.9
$1.35 Rp 24.4K
-23.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.39 DOP 22.89
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
-46.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.53 DOP 147
$2.93 Rp 53.0K
-13.65%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.16 DOP 300
$3.94 Rp 71.1K
30.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.08 DOP 62.9
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
-39.33%
White Bread (500g)
$1.74 DOP 101
$2.45 Rp 44.2K
-28.98%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.57 DOP 91.1
$1.15 Rp 20.7K
36.52%
Eggs
$2.19 DOP 127
$2.41 Rp 43.6K
-9.13%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.09 DOP 412
$14.33 Rp 258.7K
-50.52%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.13 DOP 298
$4.19 Rp 75.6K
22.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.07 DOP 295
$12.06 Rp 217.7K
-57.96%
Apples (1kg)
$3.30 DOP 192
$3.64 Rp 65.7K
-9.34%
Banana (1kg)
$0.87 DOP 50.7
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-44.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.87 DOP 167
$2.79 Rp 50.3K
2.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.01 DOP 117
$2.24 Rp 40.5K
-10.27%
Potato (1kg)
$2.45 DOP 142
$1.98 Rp 35.7K
23.74%
Onion (1kg)
$2.29 DOP 133
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
0.44%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.09 DOP 63.1
$1.05 Rp 19.0K
3.81%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.95 DOP 55.4
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
20.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18 DOP 301
$3.19 Rp 57.6K
62.38%
Wine (Bottle)
$17.16 DOP 997
$23.49 Rp 424.1K
-26.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.71 DOP 157
$2.90 Rp 52.3K
-6.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.24 DOP 189
$2.76 Rp 49.7K
17.39%
🚌 Getting Around
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.27 Rp 4,813
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.37 Rp 151.1K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.32 DOP 193
$0.45 Rp 8,167
637.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.18 DOP 127
$0.46 Rp 8,298
373.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.78 DOP 336
$6.07 Rp 109.6K
-4.78%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 DOP 76.7
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
53.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.9K DOP 1.6M
$26.6K Rp 480.0M
1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K DOP 1.9M
$32.5K Rp 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)
$68.9 DOP 4,005
$79.0 Rp 1.4M
-12.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.98 DOP 1,045
$4.09 Rp 73.9K
339.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.46 DOP 2,002
$23.85 Rp 430.5K
44.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$98.8 Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.35 Rp 114.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$6.83 DOP 397
$4.01 Rp 72.3K
70.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$266 DOP 15.4K
$297 Rp 5.4M
-10.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$8,155 DOP 473.9K
$6,602 Rp 119.2M
23.52%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.0 DOP 3,428
$53.4 Rp 964.5K
10.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$51.0 DOP 2,963
$38.11 Rp 688.1K
33.80%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.6 DOP 5,555
$88.7 Rp 1.6M
7.83%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$115 DOP 6,662
$76.6 Rp 1.4M
49.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$205 DOP 11.9K
$1,020 Rp 18.4M
-79.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$138 DOP 7,994
$680 Rp 12.3M
-79.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$429 DOP 25.0K
$3,469 Rp 62.6M
-87.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$501 DOP 29.1K
$2,090 Rp 37.7M
-76.01%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,729 Rp 49.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,295 Rp 41.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
La Romana
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$164 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: 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.

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