🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $778 in Malaybalay versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,211 in Malaybalay versus $2,540 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,644 in Malaybalay versus $3,660 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Living in Malaybalay costs roughly 45% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Malaybalay is 42% below, Ubud, Bali is 6% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.37₱269
$3.56Rp 63.7K
22.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.17₱997
$32.73Rp 584.5K
-50.60%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.91₱241
$4.95Rp 88.4K
-21.01%
Cappuccino
$2.07₱128
$2.71Rp 48.4K
-23.62%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51₱31.67
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-61.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36₱22.49
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-48.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.08₱66.7
$2.92Rp 52.1K
-63.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75₱108
$3.96Rp 70.7K
-55.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74₱107
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-3.87%
White Bread(500g)
$1.28₱78.7
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-49.21%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99₱60.9
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-14.66%
Eggs
$2.09₱129
$2.46Rp 43.9K
-15.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$5.98₱369
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-59.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.49₱277
$4.32Rp 77.1K
3.94%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.21₱444
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-40.61%
Apples(1kg)
$2.90₱179
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-24.48%
Banana(1kg)
$1.19₱73.5
$1.56Rp 27.8K
-23.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.38₱147
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-15.90%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.35₱83.4
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-42.06%
Potato(1kg)
$2.30₱142
$1.91Rp 34.2K
20.42%
Onion(1kg)
$3.31₱204
$2.20Rp 39.3K
50.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32₱81.4
$1.01Rp 18.1K
30.69%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.60₱37.29
$0.78Rp 13.8K
-23.08%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69₱166
$3.32Rp 59.2K
-18.98%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.91₱488
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-66.68%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40₱86.1
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-49.82%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.50₱92.2
$2.86Rp 51.1K
-47.55%
🚌 Getting Around
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28₱17.37
$0.27Rp 4,800
3.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.03Rp 143.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.91₱56.2
$0.46Rp 8,150
97.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.25₱15.47
$0.45Rp 8,037
-44.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.18₱134
$6.10Rp 108.9K
-64.26%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14₱70.5
$0.79Rp 14.2K
44.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.6K₱1.4M
$26.1KRp 467.0M
-13.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K₱1.3M
$32.1KRp 573.6M
-34.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$103₱6,357
$79.9Rp 1.4M
28.97%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.29₱2,053
$4.06Rp 72.6K
719.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.73₱2,265
$23.52Rp 420.0K
56.16%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$34.32₱2,116
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-65.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$4.46₱275
$6.63Rp 118.4K
-32.73%
Cinema Ticket
$4.53₱279
$4.15Rp 74.1K
9.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$119₱7,334
$304Rp 5.4M
-60.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,392₱270.8K
$6,613Rp 118.1M
-33.59%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.45₱2,803
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-18.17%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.66₱1,890
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-19.97%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$77.1₱4,756
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-12.96%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$70.1₱4,320
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-10.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$271₱16.7K
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-73.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$178₱11.0K
$675Rp 12.1M
-73.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$576₱35.5K
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-83.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$393₱24.2K
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-80.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,167₱133.6K
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-23.75%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$905₱55.8K
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-60.01%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Malaybalay
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$165Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.56
13.28
-28.01%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Malaybalay: June 2, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $271 in Malaybalay and $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $16.00 in Malaybalay vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $194 vs $302 per month, with Malaybalay 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
Malaybalay vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Malaybalay and Ubud, Bali?
Malaybalay and Ubud, Bali differ by about 83% in total monthly costs ($778 vs $1,419 including rent). Malaybalay is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Malaybalay compared to Ubud, Bali?
You'd need roughly $1,166 in Malaybalay and $2,129 in Ubud, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Malaybalay and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $271 in Malaybalay versus $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Malaybalay and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $119 in Malaybalay versus $304 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Malaybalay – a meal for two runs $16.00 versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $778 in Malaybalay versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Malaybalay but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Malaybalay the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Malaybalay 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 Malaybalay or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Malaybalay 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: Malaybalay or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Malaybalay gentler on the wallet – expenses run 83% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Malaybalay vs other spots: cost of living compared