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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,042 per month in La Serena vs $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,787 per month in La Serena vs $2,549 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,533 per month in La Serena vs $3,694 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

La Serena is about 26% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

La Serena sits 23% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$8.22 CLP 7,389

$3.57 Rp 64.0K

130.25%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$51.9 CLP 46.6K

$32.50 Rp 582.3K

59.72%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.75 CLP 7,868

$4.86 Rp 87.1K

80.04%

Cappuccino

$2.98 CLP 2,674

$2.75 Rp 49.2K

8.36%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.12 CLP 1,004

$1.32 Rp 23.7K

-15.15%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.67 CLP 598

$0.70 Rp 12.6K

-4.29%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.22 CLP 1,998

$2.91 Rp 52.2K

-23.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.10 CLP 3,682

$3.79 Rp 68.0K

8.18%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.29 CLP 1,159

$1.71 Rp 30.6K

-24.56%

White Bread (500g)

$2.56 CLP 2,302

$2.47 Rp 44.3K

3.64%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.56 CLP 1,401

$1.20 Rp 21.5K

30.00%

Eggs

$4.03 CLP 3,624

$2.44 Rp 43.8K

65.16%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.98 CLP 11.7K

$14.38 Rp 257.7K

-9.74%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.24 CLP 5,605

$4.31 Rp 77.1K

44.78%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.04 CLP 11.7K

$12.21 Rp 218.7K

6.80%

Apples (1kg)

$1.92 CLP 1,728

$3.68 Rp 66.0K

-47.83%

Banana (1kg)

$1.80 CLP 1,615

$1.55 Rp 27.8K

16.13%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.40 CLP 1,255

$2.79 Rp 49.9K

-49.82%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.47 CLP 1,317

$2.33 Rp 41.8K

-36.91%

Potato (1kg)

$1.23 CLP 1,107

$1.97 Rp 35.3K

-37.56%

Onion (1kg)

$1.33 CLP 1,194

$2.31 Rp 41.4K

-42.42%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.13 CLP 1,015

$1.06 Rp 19.1K

6.60%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.92 CLP 826

$0.73 Rp 13.1K

26.03%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.33 CLP 4,791

$3.28 Rp 58.8K

62.50%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.35 CLP 4,809

$22.79 Rp 408.4K

-76.52%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.05 CLP 940

$2.81 Rp 50.3K

-62.63%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.25 CLP 2,025

$2.78 Rp 49.9K

-19.06%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.06 CLP 953

$0.29 Rp 5,217

265.52%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$38.12 CLP 34.3K

$8.06 Rp 144.4K

372.95%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.72 CLP 643

$0.45 Rp 8,047

60.00%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.13 CLP 1,913

$0.45 Rp 8,094

373.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$13.01 CLP 11.7K

$6.24 Rp 111.7K

108.49%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.42 CLP 1,274

$0.85 Rp 15.2K

67.06%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$20.7K CLP 18.6M

$26.0K Rp 465.4M

-20.47%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$13.1K CLP 11.8M

$31.7K Rp 567.2M

-58.68%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$92.7 CLP 83.3K

$80.8 Rp 1.4M

14.77%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$11.35 CLP 10.2K

$4.06 Rp 72.7K

179.56%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$22.61 CLP 20.3K

$24.42 Rp 437.6K

-7.41%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$36.68 CLP 33.0K

$97.7 Rp 1.7M

-62.44%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$21.65 CLP 19.5K

$6.45 Rp 115.5K

235.66%

Cinema Ticket

$8.86 CLP 7,963

$4.04 Rp 72.4K

119.31%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$441 CLP 396.0K

$304 Rp 5.4M

44.93%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,621 Rp 118.6M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.06 CLP 41.4K

$54.2 Rp 971.7K

-15.07%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$29.87 CLP 26.8K

$38.78 Rp 694.7K

-22.98%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$96.4 CLP 86.7K

$86.1 Rp 1.5M

11.93%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$110 CLP 98.4K

$76.7 Rp 1.4M

42.82%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$364 CLP 327.0K

$986 Rp 17.7M

-63.08%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$280 CLP 251.6K

$658 Rp 11.8M

-57.45%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,070 CLP 962.0K

$3,369 Rp 60.4M

-68.23%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$699 CLP 627.9K

$2,066 Rp 37.0M

-66.18%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,226 CLP 2.0M

$2,741 Rp 49.1M

-18.79%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,434 CLP 1.3M

$2,228 Rp 39.9M

-35.61%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$746 CLP 670.6K

$163 Rp 2.9M

356.57%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.5

13.28

-51.05%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for La Serena: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $364 in La Serena versus $986 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 357% higher in La Serena, 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 $52.0 in La Serena versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $246 in La Serena vs $297 in Ubud, Bali – so La Serena 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 Serena vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 35%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,562 per month in La Serena and $2,106 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in La Serena, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,042 in La Serena and $1,404 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Public transport costs about 373% less in La Serena. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in La Serena, where all-in costs run around $1,042, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,404. In La Serena it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward La Serena – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with La Serena. 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.