😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,273 in Leuven versus $1,397 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,386 in Leuven versus $2,588 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,498 in Leuven versus $3,778 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Leuven is roughly 63% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Leuven70% above, Ubud, Bali5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$17.09€14.97
$3.43Rp 61.4K
398.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$92.0€80.6
$31.97Rp 572.4K
187.61%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.67€10.23
$5.05Rp 90.4K
131.09%
Cappuccino
$4.12€3.61
$2.71Rp 48.6K
52.03%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45€3.03
$1.39Rp 24.9K
148.20%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.47€3.04
$0.74Rp 13.3K
368.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.03€4.41
$2.89Rp 51.8K
74.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.73€3.27
$3.79Rp 67.9K
-1.58%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.38€1.21
$1.79Rp 32.1K
-22.91%
White Bread(500g)
$2.19€1.91
$2.51Rp 44.9K
-12.75%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.02€2.64
$1.21Rp 21.7K
149.59%
Eggs
$3.61€3.16
$2.37Rp 42.4K
52.32%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.70€10.25
$14.43Rp 258.4K
-18.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$13.17€11.54
$4.15Rp 74.3K
217.35%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.53€15.35
$12.11Rp 216.9K
44.76%
Apples(1kg)
$2.65€2.32
$3.77Rp 67.5K
-29.71%
Banana(1kg)
$2.29€2.01
$1.63Rp 29.1K
40.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.01€1.76
$2.71Rp 48.5K
-25.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.60€2.28
$2.26Rp 40.4K
15.04%
Potato(1kg)
$2.22€1.95
$1.93Rp 34.5K
15.03%
Onion(1kg)
$1.72€1.51
$2.19Rp 39.3K
-21.46%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.57€1.38
$1.02Rp 18.2K
53.92%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.27€1.11
$0.72Rp 12.8K
76.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$12.81€11.22
$3.18Rp 57.0K
302.83%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.19€6.30
$23.84Rp 426.8K
-69.84%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.36€2.07
$2.77Rp 49.7K
-14.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.11€1.85
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-23.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.96€2.60
$0.27Rp 4,786
996.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.38€32.75
$8.20Rp 146.8K
355.85%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$6.51€5.70
$0.48Rp 8,653
1256.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.64€2.31
$0.42Rp 7,545
528.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$35.24€30.88
$6.03Rp 107.9K
484.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.91€1.68
$0.82Rp 14.7K
132.93%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.5K€26.7K
$26.6KRp 475.6M
14.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.9K€24.4K
$32.2KRp 576.6M
-13.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$179€157
$78.3Rp 1.4M
128.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$21.51€18.85
$3.91Rp 70.1K
450.13%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.93€41.99
$23.91Rp 428.2K
100.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$47.99€42.04
$96.2Rp 1.7M
-50.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.82€14.74
$6.53Rp 116.8K
157.58%
Cinema Ticket
$14.38€12.60
$4.01Rp 71.9K
258.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$654€573
$303Rp 5.4M
116.29%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$13.6K€12.0K
$6,551Rp 117.3M
108.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$102€89.2
$55.3Rp 990.4K
84.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$31.99€28.03
$38.32Rp 686.1K
-16.52%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$92.1€80.7
$88.5Rp 1.6M
4.06%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$132€116
$76.7Rp 1.4M
72.23%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,031€903
$986Rp 17.6M
4.57%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,081€947
$682Rp 12.2M
58.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,178€1,908
$3,420Rp 61.2M
-36.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,735€1,520
$2,075Rp 37.1M
-16.36%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$5,590€4,898
$2,762Rp 49.5M
102.38%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,628€3,179
$2,243Rp 40.2M
61.76%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Leuven
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,569€3,127
$169Rp 3.0M
2015.49%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.83
13.28
-71.16%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Leuven: July 22, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 22, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,031 in Leuven and $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Leuven pays 2015% 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: $92.0 in Leuven vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $326 vs $298 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
Leuven vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Leuven or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 63% lower than in Leuven. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Leuven or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 2015% higher in Leuven, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Leuven compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,031 in Leuven versus $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Leuven or in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 9% higher in Leuven. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How do dining costs compare in Leuven and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $92.0 in Leuven. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Leuven or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,397 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,273 in Leuven, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Leuven. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Leuven or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,397 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Leuven compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Leuven 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 63% less than in Leuven. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.