🙂A single person spends $480 per month in Malang vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $755 per month in Malang vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,030 per month in Malang vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Malang is about 66% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Malang sits 64% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.27Rp 22.6K
$3.56Rp 63.7K
-64.33%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.35Rp 220.5K
$32.73Rp 584.5K
-62.27%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.06Rp 54.6K
$4.95Rp 88.4K
-38.18%
Cappuccino
$1.41Rp 25.1K
$2.71Rp 48.4K
-47.97%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57Rp 10.2K
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-57.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22Rp 3,922
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-68.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.40Rp 42.9K
$2.92Rp 52.1K
-17.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.10Rp 55.3K
$3.96Rp 70.7K
-21.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.13Rp 20.2K
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-37.57%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52Rp 27.1K
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-39.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.87Rp 15.5K
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-25.00%
Eggs
$1.45Rp 25.9K
$2.46Rp 43.9K
-41.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.47Rp 115.5K
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-56.02%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.18Rp 56.7K
$4.32Rp 77.1K
-26.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.16Rp 127.9K
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-41.02%
Apples(1kg)
$2.33Rp 41.6K
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-39.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51Rp 26.9K
$1.56Rp 27.8K
-3.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.75Rp 31.3K
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-38.16%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.45Rp 25.8K
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-37.77%
Potato(1kg)
$1.32Rp 23.5K
$1.91Rp 34.2K
-30.89%
Onion(1kg)
$1.77Rp 31.6K
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-19.55%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.51Rp 9,035
$1.01Rp 18.1K
-49.50%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41Rp 7,301
$0.78Rp 13.8K
-47.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.47Rp 44.1K
$3.32Rp 59.2K
-25.60%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.73Rp 227.3K
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-46.38%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.83Rp 32.6K
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-34.41%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31Rp 59.2K
$2.86Rp 51.1K
15.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.62Rp 11.1K
$0.27Rp 4,800
129.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.23Rp 111.2K
$8.03Rp 143.4K
-22.42%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.47Rp 8,480
$0.46Rp 8,150
2.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.31Rp 5,614
$0.45Rp 8,037
-31.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.26Rp 111.9K
$6.10Rp 108.9K
2.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.79Rp 14.2K
-3.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.6KRp 367.4M
$26.1KRp 467.0M
-21.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KRp 484.9M
$32.1KRp 573.6M
-15.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$33.63Rp 600.6K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
-57.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$2.55Rp 45.5K
$4.06Rp 72.6K
-37.19%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.60Rp 350.0K
$23.52Rp 420.0K
-16.67%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$14.59Rp 260.6K
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-85.22%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.90Rp 87.5K
$6.63Rp 118.4K
-26.09%
Cinema Ticket
$2.17Rp 38.7K
$4.15Rp 74.1K
-47.71%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$34.05Rp 608.1K
$304Rp 5.4M
-88.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$9,339Rp 166.8M
$6,613Rp 118.1M
41.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.84Rp 765.0K
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-22.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.31Rp 541.2K
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-20.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.4Rp 1.1M
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-31.88%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.3Rp 1.5M
$77.9Rp 1.4M
5.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$160Rp 2.9M
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-84.07%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$50.0Rp 893.4K
$675Rp 12.1M
-92.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$276Rp 4.9M
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-91.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.2Rp 1.6M
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-95.53%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malang
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198Rp 3.5M
$165Rp 3.0M
19.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4
13.28
-69.88%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malang: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $160 in Malang versus $1,006 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 20% higher in Malang, 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 $12.00 in Malang versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $183 vs $302 – making Malang the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Malang vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Malang?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 195%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. 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 $721 per month in Malang and $2,129 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 Malang, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 29% less in Malang. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $34.05 per month in Malang and $304 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 Malang or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Malang, where all-in costs run around $480, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In Malang it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Malang or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Malang – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Malang 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 Malang. 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.