🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $974 in Mecca versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,454 in Mecca versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,935 in Mecca versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Mecca costs roughly 30% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mecca is 29% below, Ubud, Bali is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.63SAR 17.38
$3.37Rp 59.9K
37.39%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$26.73SAR 100
$38.59Rp 685.5K
-30.73%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.72SAR 25.23
$5.52Rp 98.1K
21.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.52SAR 5.71
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52SAR 5.72
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.62SAR 9.83
$2.64Rp 47.0K
-0.76%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.67SAR 2.53
$1.67Rp 29.7K
-59.88%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23SAR 0.86
$0.77Rp 13.7K
-70.13%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.63Rp 46.8K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.28Rp 76.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79SAR 6.71
$1.55Rp 27.5K
15.48%
White Bread(500g)
$0.94SAR 3.51
$2.22Rp 39.5K
-57.66%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.19SAR 8.22
$1.13Rp 20.0K
93.81%
Eggs
$2.39SAR 8.98
$2.09Rp 37.1K
14.35%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.20SAR 23.27
$17.39Rp 309.0K
-64.35%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$8.26SAR 31.03
$3.87Rp 68.7K
113.44%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.60SAR 47.31
$12.55Rp 222.9K
0.40%
Apples(1kg)
$1.98SAR 7.43
$3.62Rp 64.2K
-45.30%
Banana(1kg)
$1.67SAR 6.27
$1.56Rp 27.7K
7.05%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.49SAR 5.59
$2.35Rp 41.8K
-36.60%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.68SAR 6.29
$2.06Rp 36.5K
-18.45%
Potato(1kg)
$1.15SAR 4.32
$1.90Rp 33.7K
-39.47%
Onion(1kg)
$1.36SAR 5.10
$2.34Rp 41.5K
-41.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03SAR 3.86
$1.03Rp 18.3K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50SAR 1.89
$0.55Rp 9,854
-9.09%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$4.07SAR 15.29
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.78SAR 6.69
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17SAR 8.14
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$6.66SAR 25.01
$2.25Rp 40.0K
196.00%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.81Rp 422.9K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.31Rp 41.1K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.80Rp 49.8K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.34SAR 5.04
$0.27Rp 4,839
396.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.66Rp 153.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.81SAR 6.81
$0.48Rp 8,554
277.08%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.75SAR 6.56
$0.45Rp 7,924
288.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$13.42SAR 50.4
$5.72Rp 101.6K
134.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.60SAR 2.27
$0.76Rp 13.5K
-21.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$47.0KSAR 176.3K
$24.5KRp 434.9M
91.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.4KSAR 80.3K
$32.1KRp 570.6M
-33.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$75.9SAR 285
$83.6Rp 1.5M
-9.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.20SAR 132
$6.46Rp 114.7K
444.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.6SAR 254
$18.99Rp 337.4K
256.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$78.5SAR 295
$56.0Rp 994.4K
40.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.37SAR 129
$18.62Rp 330.7K
84.59%
Cinema Ticket
$12.08SAR 45.37
$4.28Rp 76.1K
182.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$391SAR 1,467
$487Rp 8.6M
-19.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,570SAR 17.2K
$5,856Rp 104.0M
-21.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.43SAR 84.2
$45.56Rp 809.3K
-50.77%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$58.6SAR 220
$36.38Rp 646.3K
61.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.48SAR 182
$82.0Rp 1.5M
-40.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$50.9SAR 191
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-36.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$576SAR 2,161
$1,117Rp 19.8M
-48.45%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$319SAR 1,198
$701Rp 12.5M
-54.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,512SAR 5,676
$3,537Rp 62.8M
-57.26%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$507SAR 1,904
$1,762Rp 31.3M
-71.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,435SAR 24.2K
$2,826Rp 50.2M
127.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,299SAR 8,632
$2,292Rp 40.7M
0.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$1,082SAR 4,062
$170Rp 3.0M
537.13%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5.25
13.78
-61.90%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mecca: August 30, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $576 in Mecca and $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mecca pays 537% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $27.00 in Mecca vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $194 vs $293 per month, with Mecca 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
Mecca vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Mecca?
Mecca is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear. The 43% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mecca or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 537% higher in Mecca, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Mecca and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $576 in Mecca versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Mecca and in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 51% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
What are total monthly expenses in Mecca and in Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $974 per month in Mecca versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali – a 43% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mecca or in Ubud, Bali?
At $974 in Mecca versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Mecca but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Mecca the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mecca or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Mecca is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mecca or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Mecca 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mecca gentler on the wallet – expenses run 43% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.