🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $670 in Maseru versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,115 in Maseru versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,561 in Maseru versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Maseru costs roughly 52% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Maseru is 50% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.12LSL 182
$3.45Rp 62.1K
222.32%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.74LSL 406
$32.34Rp 581.1K
-23.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.04LSL 181
$4.84Rp 87.1K
128.10%
Cappuccino
$1.80LSL 29.47
$2.75Rp 49.4K
-34.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.27LSL 20.90
$1.38Rp 24.9K
-7.97%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80LSL 13.07
$0.75Rp 13.5K
6.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.99LSL 32.62
$2.99Rp 53.8K
-33.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21LSL 36.23
$3.85Rp 69.2K
-42.60%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.99LSL 16.16
$1.74Rp 31.2K
-43.10%
White Bread(500g)
$0.76LSL 12.47
$2.46Rp 44.2K
-69.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.20LSL 36.09
$1.17Rp 21.0K
88.03%
Eggs
$1.35LSL 22.18
$2.43Rp 43.7K
-44.44%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.93LSL 114
$14.50Rp 260.6K
-52.21%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.64LSL 92.6
$4.35Rp 78.2K
29.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.54LSL 90.8
$11.98Rp 215.3K
-53.76%
Apples(1kg)
$1.61LSL 26.41
$3.72Rp 66.8K
-56.72%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05LSL 33.64
$1.63Rp 29.2K
25.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.47LSL 40.58
$2.74Rp 49.3K
-9.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.21LSL 36.30
$2.24Rp 40.3K
-1.34%
Potato(1kg)
$1.42LSL 23.36
$1.92Rp 34.5K
-26.04%
Onion(1kg)
$1.47LSL 24.12
$2.28Rp 40.9K
-35.53%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32LSL 21.61
$1.06Rp 19.1K
24.53%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.85LSL 13.90
$0.72Rp 12.9K
18.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.89LSL 80.3
$3.29Rp 59.0K
48.63%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.08LSL 116
$23.19Rp 416.8K
-69.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.01LSL 16.62
$2.78Rp 49.9K
-63.67%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37LSL 22.54
$2.73Rp 49.1K
-49.82%
🚌 Getting Around
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.71LSL 11.60
$0.27Rp 4,786
162.96%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$27.72LSL 455
$8.11Rp 145.7K
241.80%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.64LSL 10.49
$0.48Rp 8,675
33.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.63LSL 10.30
$0.42Rp 7,545
50.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.12LSL 166
$6.22Rp 111.8K
62.70%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.14LSL 18.77
$0.81Rp 14.6K
40.74%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.9KLSL 325.9K
$26.6KRp 478.2M
-25.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$15.3KLSL 251.2K
$32.2KRp 578.5M
-52.42%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.53LSL 222
$4.07Rp 73.1K
232.43%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.63LSL 519
$24.33Rp 437.1K
30.00%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.63LSL 355
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-78.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.34Rp 113.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.99Rp 71.6K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$47.85LSL 785
$305Rp 5.5M
-84.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,104LSL 18.1K
$6,642Rp 119.4M
-83.38%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.18LSL 692
$54.1Rp 972.9K
-22.09%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.98LSL 639
$37.81Rp 679.4K
3.09%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$97.7LSL 1,602
$86.8Rp 1.6M
12.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$138LSL 2,266
$76.4Rp 1.4M
80.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$143LSL 2,338
$992Rp 17.8M
-85.62%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$71.6LSL 1,174
$673Rp 12.1M
-89.36%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$402LSL 6,586
$3,375Rp 60.7M
-88.10%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$159LSL 2,603
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-92.26%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$391LSL 6,415
$2,805Rp 50.4M
-86.05%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$533LSL 8,733
$2,227Rp 40.0M
-76.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Maseru
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$631LSL 10.3K
$167Rp 3.0M
277.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
8.5
13.28
-35.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Maseru: July 12, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $143 in Maseru and $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Maseru pays 278% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $25.00 in Maseru vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $183 vs $297 per month, with Maseru 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
Maseru vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Maseru and in Ubud, Bali?
Maseru and Ubud, Bali differ by about 110% in total monthly costs ($670 vs $1,408 including rent). Maseru is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Maseru or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 278% higher in Maseru, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Maseru and in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $143 in Maseru versus $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Maseru – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Maseru or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $670 per month in Maseru versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – a 110% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $670 in Maseru versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Maseru but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Maseru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Maseru 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 Maseru or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Maseru 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: Maseru or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Maseru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 110% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.