Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Makassar and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Makassar: $632 a month against $1,353 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $8,700 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Makassar
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$632
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,353
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Makassar and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Makassar and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $632 in Makassar versus $1,353 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Makassar $632
  • Ubud, Bali $1,353

Estimated couple costs with rent: $977 in Makassar versus $2,297 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Makassar $977
  • Ubud, Bali $2,297

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,322 in Makassar versus $3,241 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Makassar $1,322
  • Ubud, Bali $3,241

Living in Makassar costs roughly 53% less than in Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Makassar is 53% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.62 Rp 29.1K
$3.23 Rp 58.1K
-49.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$8.67 Rp 156.1K
$34.88 Rp 627.8K
-75.14%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.23 Rp 58.1K
$5.70 Rp 102.5K
-43.33%
Cappuccino
$1.92 Rp 34.6K
$2.62 Rp 47.1K
-26.72%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 Rp 8,457
$1.72 Rp 31.0K
-72.67%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33 Rp 6,013
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-59.26%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.45 Rp 44.1K
$2.65 Rp 47.7K
-7.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.13 Rp 56.4K
$4.37 Rp 78.6K
-28.38%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 Rp 27.6K
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-2.55%
White Bread (500g)
$0.97 Rp 17.5K
$2.19 Rp 39.5K
-55.71%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.57 Rp 10.3K
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
-51.69%
Eggs
$1.54 Rp 27.7K
$2.16 Rp 38.8K
-28.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.42 Rp 115.5K
$17.65 Rp 317.7K
-63.63%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.42 Rp 61.6K
$3.78 Rp 68.0K
-9.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.23 Rp 94.2K
$11.95 Rp 215.1K
-56.23%
Apples (1kg)
$2.45 Rp 44.1K
$3.60 Rp 64.8K
-31.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.31 Rp 23.6K
$1.59 Rp 28.6K
-17.61%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.96 Rp 35.3K
$2.31 Rp 41.6K
-15.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.26 Rp 22.6K
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
-34.03%
Potato (1kg)
$1.28 Rp 23.1K
$1.78 Rp 32.1K
-28.09%
Onion (1kg)
$1.48 Rp 26.6K
$2.33 Rp 41.9K
-36.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.74 Rp 13.3K
$1.00 Rp 18.0K
-26.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39 Rp 6,988
$0.53 Rp 9,509
-26.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.60 Rp 46.9K
$2.29 Rp 41.1K
13.54%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.14 Rp 398.6K
$22.07 Rp 397.3K
0.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.82 Rp 32.7K
$2.35 Rp 42.2K
-22.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 Rp 51.7K
$2.98 Rp 53.6K
-3.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,851
$0.23 Rp 4,112
17.39%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$4.18 Rp 75.2K
$8.90 Rp 160.2K
-53.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.50 Rp 8,925
$0.47 Rp 8,466
6.38%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 Rp 6,710
$0.43 Rp 7,737
-13.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.67 Rp 48.0K
$5.47 Rp 98.4K
-51.19%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.3K
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
-3.61%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8K Rp 428.5M
$23.9K Rp 429.8M
-0.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9K Rp 574.3M
$32.8K Rp 590.1M
-2.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$90.3 Rp 1.6M
$80.0 Rp 1.4M
12.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.61 Rp 46.9K
$6.56 Rp 118.1K
-60.21%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.29 Rp 455.3K
$18.60 Rp 334.8K
35.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$21.58 Rp 388.5K
$54.1 Rp 974.1K
-60.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.40 Rp 151.1K
$18.28 Rp 329.0K
-54.05%
Cinema Ticket
$3.36 Rp 60.5K
$4.25 Rp 76.5K
-20.94%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$94.2 Rp 1.7M
$493 Rp 8.9M
-80.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$3,803 Rp 68.5M
$5,597 Rp 100.7M
-32.06%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.97 Rp 485.5K
$45.58 Rp 820.4K
-40.83%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$23.43 Rp 421.7K
$34.96 Rp 629.4K
-32.98%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$75.0 Rp 1.3M
$77.7 Rp 1.4M
-3.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$39.92 Rp 718.5K
$78.5 Rp 1.4M
-49.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$224 Rp 4.0M
$1,131 Rp 20.4M
-80.17%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$143 Rp 2.6M
$673 Rp 12.1M
-78.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$528 Rp 9.5M
$3,613 Rp 65.0M
-85.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$364 Rp 6.6M
$1,702 Rp 30.6M
-78.61%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,151 Rp 20.7M
$2,717 Rp 48.9M
-57.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$794 Rp 14.3M
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
-64.57%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Makassar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$214 Rp 3.8M
$166 Rp 3.0M
28.35%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.46
13.78
-31.35%

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

Last update for Makassar: October 17, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 19, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Makassar
$193
Ubud, Bali
$287 48.6% $94
Accommodation & Living
Makassar
$143
Ubud, Bali
$673 371% $530
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Makassar
$118
Ubud, Bali
$105 11% $13
Clothing & Footwear
Makassar
$74
Ubud, Bali
$107 43.3% $32
Eating Out
Makassar
$67
Ubud, Bali
$106 57.9% $39
Sport & Entertainment
Makassar
$28
Ubud, Bali
$63 121% $34
Getting Around
Makassar
$7.6
Ubud, Bali
$12 63.3% $4.8

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $224 in Makassar and $1,131 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Makassar pays 28% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $9.00 in Makassar vs $35.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $287 per month, with Makassar cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Makassar
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
21:24 9:24 PM
21:24 9:24 PM
Same time as Makassar
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,427,619
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Makassar Ubud, Bali 590 km ≈ 1 h 15 min nonstop flight
From you
  • Makassar
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Makassar vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Makassar or Ubud, Bali?
Makassar wins on cost – living expenses run 114% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Makassar the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Makassar or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 28% higher in Makassar, 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 Makassar compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $224 in Makassar versus $1,131 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Makassar compared to Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Makassar runs roughly 113% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Makassar and in Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $94.2 in Makassar versus $493 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Makassar or in Ubud, Bali?
At $632 in Makassar versus $1,353 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Makassar but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Makassar the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Makassar or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Makassar delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $632 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Makassar hard to pass up.
How safe is Makassar compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Makassar 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 Makassar gentler on the wallet – expenses run 114% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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