🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $578 in Mataram versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $867 in Mataram versus $2,549 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,157 in Mataram versus $3,694 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Living in Mataram costs roughly 59% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mataram is 57% below, Ubud, Bali is 4% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.06Rp 19.1K
$3.57Rp 64.0K
-70.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$11.01Rp 197.3K
$32.50Rp 582.3K
-66.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$2.35Rp 42.2K
$4.86Rp 87.1K
-51.65%
Cappuccino
$1.87Rp 33.5K
$2.75Rp 49.2K
-32.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.54Rp 9,705
$1.32Rp 23.7K
-59.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36Rp 6,486
$0.70Rp 12.6K
-48.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.54Rp 45.4K
$2.91Rp 52.2K
-12.71%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.77Rp 67.5K
$3.79Rp 68.0K
-0.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54Rp 27.6K
$1.71Rp 30.6K
-9.94%
White Bread(500g)
$1.67Rp 30.0K
$2.47Rp 44.3K
-32.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.83Rp 14.9K
$1.20Rp 21.5K
-30.83%
Eggs
$1.43Rp 25.5K
$2.44Rp 43.8K
-41.39%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$3.19Rp 57.2K
$14.38Rp 257.7K
-77.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.59Rp 64.2K
$4.31Rp 77.1K
-16.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.10Rp 109.3K
$12.21Rp 218.7K
-50.04%
Apples(1kg)
$1.64Rp 29.4K
$3.68Rp 66.0K
-55.43%
Banana(1kg)
$1.26Rp 22.7K
$1.55Rp 27.8K
-18.71%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.85Rp 33.2K
$2.79Rp 49.9K
-33.69%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.75Rp 13.4K
$2.33Rp 41.8K
-67.81%
Potato(1kg)
$0.84Rp 15.0K
$1.97Rp 35.3K
-57.36%
Onion(1kg)
$1.88Rp 33.7K
$2.31Rp 41.4K
-18.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.48Rp 8,621
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-54.72%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.34Rp 6,097
$0.73Rp 13.1K
-53.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.80Rp 32.2K
$3.28Rp 58.8K
-45.12%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.23Rp 272.9K
$22.79Rp 408.4K
-33.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39Rp 42.8K
$2.81Rp 50.3K
-14.95%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.80Rp 68.1K
$2.78Rp 49.9K
36.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64Rp 11.4K
$0.29Rp 5,217
120.69%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$18.26Rp 327.2K
$8.06Rp 144.4K
126.55%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.51Rp 9,057
$0.45Rp 8,047
13.33%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.29Rp 5,136
$0.45Rp 8,094
-35.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.99Rp 53.5K
$6.24Rp 111.7K
-52.08%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64Rp 11.5K
$0.85Rp 15.2K
-24.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KRp 415.3M
$26.0KRp 465.4M
-10.77%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KRp 486.3M
$31.7KRp 567.2M
-14.26%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$50.4Rp 902.3K
$80.8Rp 1.4M
-37.63%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.25Rp 76.2K
$4.06Rp 72.7K
4.68%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.16Rp 343.3K
$24.42Rp 437.6K
-21.54%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$26.28Rp 470.9K
$97.7Rp 1.7M
-73.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$7.75Rp 138.9K
$6.45Rp 115.5K
20.16%
Cinema Ticket
$2.19Rp 39.2K
$4.04Rp 72.4K
-45.79%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$90.9Rp 1.6M
$304Rp 5.4M
-70.10%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,244Rp 76.0M
$6,621Rp 118.6M
-35.91%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$37.49Rp 671.7K
$54.2Rp 971.7K
-30.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.39Rp 437.0K
$38.78Rp 694.7K
-37.11%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$61.0Rp 1.1M
$86.1Rp 1.5M
-29.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$40.32Rp 722.3K
$76.7Rp 1.4M
-47.41%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$77.1Rp 1.4M
$986Rp 17.7M
-92.18%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$127Rp 2.3M
$658Rp 11.8M
-80.71%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.8M
$3,369Rp 60.4M
-95.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$257Rp 4.6M
$2,066Rp 37.0M
-87.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,135Rp 20.3M
$2,741Rp 49.1M
-58.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$700Rp 12.5M
$2,228Rp 39.9M
-68.60%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mataram
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$197Rp 3.5M
$163Rp 2.9M
20.25%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9
13.28
-32.23%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mataram: June 9, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $77.1 in Mataram and $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mataram pays 20% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $11.00 in Mataram vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $176 vs $297 per month, with Mataram 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
Mataram vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Mataram and Ubud, Bali?
Mataram and Ubud, Bali differ by about 143% in total monthly costs ($578 vs $1,404 including rent). Mataram is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Mataram or Ubud, Bali?
Mataram pays 20% more on average, 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 Mataram and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $77.1 in Mataram versus $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 69% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Mataram – a meal for two runs $11.00 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 $578 in Mataram versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Mataram but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Mataram the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Mataram 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 Mataram or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Mataram 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: Mataram or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Mataram gentler on the wallet – expenses run 143% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.