😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,693 in Laurel, MD versus $1,395 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,269 in Laurel, MD versus $2,559 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,844 in Laurel, MD versus $3,724 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Living in Laurel, MD is roughly 93% more expensive than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Laurel, MD100% above, Ubud, Bali4% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$12.20$12.20
$3.48Rp 59.7K
250.57%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$50.9$50.9
$32.88Rp 564.0K
54.81%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.17$10.17
$5.09Rp 87.3K
99.80%
Cappuccino
$4.90$4.90
$2.75Rp 47.1K
78.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$1.38Rp 23.7K
48.55%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.05$2.05
$0.71Rp 12.2K
188.73%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.46$6.46
$2.88Rp 49.4K
124.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.68$7.68
$3.87Rp 66.4K
98.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99$0.99
$1.79Rp 30.7K
-44.69%
White Bread(500g)
$3.60$3.60
$2.45Rp 42.0K
46.94%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$7.33$7.33
$1.21Rp 20.7K
505.79%
Eggs
$3.89$3.89
$2.39Rp 40.9K
62.76%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$18.77$18.77
$14.70Rp 252.1K
27.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$19.84$19.84
$4.24Rp 72.7K
367.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$13.39$13.39
$12.08Rp 207.1K
10.84%
Apples(1kg)
$6.29$6.29
$3.66Rp 62.9K
71.86%
Banana(1kg)
$2.88$2.88
$1.61Rp 27.6K
78.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$8.21$8.21
$2.72Rp 46.6K
201.84%
Tomato(1kg)
$10.91$10.91
$2.27Rp 39.0K
380.62%
Potato(1kg)
$2.80$2.80
$1.90Rp 32.6K
47.37%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16$2.16
$2.30Rp 39.4K
-6.09%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.87$2.87
$1.02Rp 17.4K
181.37%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.95$2.95
$0.78Rp 13.4K
278.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.87$7.87
$3.24Rp 55.7K
142.90%
Wine(Bottle)
$17.70$17.70
$24.06Rp 412.7K
-26.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70$1.70
$2.84Rp 48.7K
-40.14%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.78$3.78
$2.79Rp 47.8K
35.48%
🚌 Getting Around
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.01$2.01
$0.27Rp 4,610
644.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.24Rp 141.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$4.48$4.48
$0.45Rp 7,708
895.56%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.63$1.63
$0.43Rp 7,305
279.07%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$29.47$29.47
$6.02Rp 103.3K
389.53%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84$0.84
$0.86Rp 14.7K
-2.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.4K$26.4K
$26.1KRp 447.1M
1.11%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.9K$24.9K
$31.7KRp 543.7M
-21.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$161$161
$78.3Rp 1.3M
105.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$53.2$53.2
$4.00Rp 68.5K
1229.00%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$66.3$66.3
$24.35Rp 417.7K
172.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$42.51$42.51
$95.8Rp 1.6M
-55.61%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.46Rp 110.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.99$12.99
$4.01Rp 68.7K
223.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,821$1,821
$302Rp 5.2M
503.84%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$23.5K$23.5K
$6,545Rp 112.3M
259.36%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$38.55$38.55
$53.4Rp 916.3K
-27.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$29.63$29.63
$38.55Rp 661.2K
-23.14%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$90.6$90.6
$89.1Rp 1.5M
1.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$121$121
$78.9Rp 1.4M
53.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,582$1,582
$1,016Rp 17.4M
55.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,390$1,390
$672Rp 11.5M
106.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,631$2,631
$3,368Rp 57.8M
-21.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,989$2,989
$2,108Rp 36.2M
41.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,195$2,195
$3,001Rp 51.5M
-26.86%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,502$2,502
$2,337Rp 40.1M
7.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Laurel, MD
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$5,346$5,346
$178Rp 3.0M
2912.03%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.55
13.28
-50.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Laurel, MD: April 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,582 in Laurel, MD and $1,016 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Laurel, MD pays 2912% 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: $51 in Laurel, MD vs $33 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $534 vs $300 per month, with Ubud, Bali 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
Laurel, MD vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Laurel, MD and Ubud, Bali?
Laurel, MD and Ubud, Bali differ by about 93% in total monthly costs ($2,693 vs $1,395 including rent). Ubud, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Laurel, MD or Ubud, Bali?
Laurel, MD pays 2912% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Laurel, MD and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,582 in Laurel, MD versus $1,016 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 78% higher in Laurel, MD. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Laurel, MD or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $2,693 per month in Laurel, MD versus $1,395 in Ubud, Bali – a 93% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,395 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,693 in Laurel, MD, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Laurel, MD. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Laurel, MD and Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Laurel, MD or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Laurel, MD 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.
Where should expats move: Laurel, MD or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 93% less than in Laurel, MD. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Laurel, MD vs other spots: cost of living compared