Cost of Living Comparison Between Manado and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Manado and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $580 per month in Manado vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $887 per month in Manado vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,194 per month in Manado vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Manado is about 58% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Manado sits 56% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
$3.57 Rp 64.6K
-66.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$9.03 Rp 163.3K
$32.32 Rp 584.4K
-72.06%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.08 Rp 55.8K
$5.01 Rp 90.5K
-38.52%
Cappuccino
$1.68 Rp 30.4K
$2.82 Rp 51.1K
-40.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 Rp 5,829
$1.35 Rp 24.4K
-76.30%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26 Rp 4,707
$0.73 Rp 13.2K
-64.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.59 Rp 64.9K
$2.93 Rp 53.0K
22.53%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.00 Rp 108.4K
$3.94 Rp 71.2K
52.28%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.18 Rp 21.3K
$1.78 Rp 32.2K
-33.71%
White Bread (500g)
$0.89 Rp 16.2K
$2.45 Rp 44.3K
-63.67%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.78 Rp 14.2K
$1.15 Rp 20.8K
-32.17%
Eggs
$1.79 Rp 32.4K
$2.41 Rp 43.7K
-25.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.16 Rp 147.5K
$14.33 Rp 259.1K
-43.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.15 Rp 56.9K
$4.19 Rp 75.7K
-24.82%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.90 Rp 142.8K
$12.06 Rp 218.1K
-34.49%
Apples (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.6K
$3.64 Rp 65.8K
-24.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.46 Rp 26.3K
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-7.01%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.89 Rp 34.2K
$2.79 Rp 50.4K
-32.26%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.34 Rp 24.2K
$2.24 Rp 40.5K
-40.18%
Potato (1kg)
$1.39 Rp 25.1K
$1.98 Rp 35.8K
-29.80%
Onion (1kg)
$1.89 Rp 34.2K
$2.28 Rp 41.2K
-17.11%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 Rp 17.5K
$1.05 Rp 19.1K
-7.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.44 Rp 8,000
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
-44.30%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.38 Rp 43.0K
$3.19 Rp 57.7K
-25.39%
Wine (Bottle)
$20.43 Rp 369.3K
$23.49 Rp 424.8K
-13.03%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.77 Rp 32.0K
$2.90 Rp 52.4K
-38.97%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18 Rp 57.5K
$2.76 Rp 49.8K
15.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.35 Rp 6,412
$0.27 Rp 4,821
29.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.73 Rp 175.9K
$8.37 Rp 151.3K
16.25%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.53 Rp 9,514
$0.45 Rp 8,180
17.78%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.37 Rp 6,717
$0.46 Rp 8,311
-19.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.90 Rp 52.5K
$6.07 Rp 109.7K
-52.22%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
$0.86 Rp 15.6K
-3.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5K Rp 443.1M
$26.6K Rp 480.7M
-7.84%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.0K Rp 506.1M
$32.5K Rp 588.6M
-14.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$24.74 Rp 447.4K
$79.0 Rp 1.4M
-68.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.38 Rp 79.1K
$4.09 Rp 74.0K
7.09%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.31 Rp 403.4K
$23.85 Rp 431.2K
-6.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.33 Rp 331.5K
$98.8 Rp 1.8M
-81.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.11 Rp 110.4K
$6.35 Rp 114.9K
-3.78%
Cinema Ticket
$2.62 Rp 47.4K
$4.01 Rp 72.5K
-34.66%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$94.9 Rp 1.7M
$297 Rp 5.4M
-68.08%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,231 Rp 94.6M
$6,602 Rp 119.4M
-20.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.2 Rp 1.1M
$53.4 Rp 966.0K
14.49%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.26 Rp 438.7K
$38.11 Rp 689.2K
-36.34%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.1 Rp 1.7M
$88.7 Rp 1.6M
7.22%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.3 Rp 1.3M
$76.6 Rp 1.4M
-4.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$324 Rp 5.9M
$1,020 Rp 18.4M
-68.19%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$99.8 Rp 1.8M
$680 Rp 12.3M
-85.33%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$333 Rp 6.0M
$3,469 Rp 62.7M
-90.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$191 Rp 3.4M
$2,090 Rp 37.8M
-90.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,132 Rp 20.5M
$2,729 Rp 49.3M
-58.50%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$698 Rp 12.6M
$2,295 Rp 41.5M
-69.61%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manado
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$210 Rp 3.8M
$164 Rp 3.0M
28.24%
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: July 25, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $324 in Manado versus $1,020 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 $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $205 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 140%, 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 $871 per month in Manado and $2,088 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 16% less in Manado. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $94.9 per month in Manado and $297 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 living in Manado or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Manado, where all-in costs run around $580, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. 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.

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