🙂A single person spends $603 per month in Manado vs $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $929 per month in Manado vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,255 per month in Manado vs $3,732 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Manado is about 58% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Manado sits 55% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 7% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.27Rp 21.9K
$3.57Rp 61.9K
-64.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.38Rp 162.6K
$32.58Rp 564.7K
-71.21%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.14Rp 54.5K
$5.07Rp 87.8K
-38.07%
Cappuccino
$1.66Rp 28.8K
$2.83Rp 49.0K
-41.34%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32Rp 5,563
$1.34Rp 23.2K
-76.12%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26Rp 4,530
$0.69Rp 12.0K
-62.32%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.67Rp 63.6K
$2.99Rp 51.8K
22.74%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.87Rp 101.8K
$3.85Rp 66.7K
52.47%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.2K
$1.74Rp 30.2K
-29.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.91Rp 15.7K
$2.54Rp 44.0K
-64.17%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.73Rp 12.7K
$1.19Rp 20.6K
-38.66%
Eggs
$1.82Rp 31.5K
$2.43Rp 42.0K
-25.10%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$7.91Rp 137.0K
$14.66Rp 254.1K
-46.04%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.08Rp 53.3K
$4.18Rp 72.4K
-26.32%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.74Rp 134.1K
$11.94Rp 206.9K
-35.18%
Apples(1kg)
$2.82Rp 48.8K
$3.69Rp 63.9K
-23.58%
Banana(1kg)
$1.47Rp 25.5K
$1.61Rp 27.8K
-8.70%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.86Rp 32.3K
$2.69Rp 46.5K
-30.86%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.30Rp 22.5K
$2.33Rp 40.4K
-44.21%
Potato(1kg)
$1.37Rp 23.7K
$1.91Rp 33.0K
-28.27%
Onion(1kg)
$1.90Rp 32.9K
$2.19Rp 37.9K
-13.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90Rp 15.5K
$1.06Rp 18.3K
-15.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.47Rp 8,231
$0.72Rp 12.5K
-34.72%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.32Rp 40.3K
$3.13Rp 54.3K
-25.88%
Wine(Bottle)
$28.87Rp 500.3K
$23.49Rp 407.1K
22.90%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.75Rp 30.3K
$2.74Rp 47.5K
-36.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.16Rp 54.8K
$2.88Rp 49.9K
9.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,602
$0.29Rp 5,029
10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.60Rp 166.4K
$8.17Rp 141.6K
17.50%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.54Rp 9,323
$0.45Rp 7,863
20.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.37Rp 6,421
$0.42Rp 7,305
-11.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.96Rp 51.3K
$6.16Rp 106.7K
-51.95%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 13.9K
$0.84Rp 14.6K
-4.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.7KRp 427.7M
$26.2KRp 454.9M
-5.97%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.2KRp 470.7M
$32.5KRp 562.9M
-16.38%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$24.75Rp 428.9K
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-68.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.32Rp 74.9K
$3.95Rp 68.5K
9.37%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.13Rp 400.9K
$24.40Rp 423.0K
-5.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$18.53Rp 321.2K
$96.5Rp 1.7M
-80.81%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.12Rp 106.0K
$6.35Rp 110.0K
-3.62%
Cinema Ticket
$2.66Rp 46.1K
$4.04Rp 70.0K
-34.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.1Rp 1.6M
$303Rp 5.2M
-69.56%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,155Rp 89.3M
$6,523Rp 113.1M
-20.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.0Rp 1.1M
$53.8Rp 933.1K
13.21%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.46Rp 424.0K
$37.98Rp 658.3K
-35.60%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$93.4Rp 1.6M
$86.8Rp 1.5M
7.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.8Rp 1.3M
$78.9Rp 1.4M
-5.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$328Rp 5.7M
$1,012Rp 17.5M
-67.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$98.8Rp 1.7M
$674Rp 11.7M
-85.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327Rp 5.7M
$3,390Rp 58.8M
-90.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$186Rp 3.2M
$2,098Rp 36.4M
-91.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,203Rp 20.9M
$2,985Rp 51.7M
-59.69%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$782Rp 13.6M
$2,339Rp 40.5M
-66.58%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$221Rp 3.8M
$173Rp 3.0M
27.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10
13.28
-24.70%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manado: April 25, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $328 in Manado versus $1,012 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 28% higher in Manado, 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 $9.00 in Manado versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $221 vs $298 – making Manado 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
Manado vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Manado?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 139%, and the gap shows up most in Sport & Entertainment. 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 $905 per month in Manado and $2,158 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 Manado, 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 18% less in Manado. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $92.1 per month in Manado and $303 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 Manado or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manado, where all-in costs run around $603, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,438. In Manado it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Manado or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Manado – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Manado 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 Manado. 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.