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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,041 in Mecca versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,881 in Mecca versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $2,721 in Mecca versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.

Living in Mecca costs roughly 26% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Mecca is 22% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.88 SAR 18.32
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
41.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$40.07 SAR 150
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
23.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$9.21 SAR 34.60
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
90.29%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.59 SAR 5.95
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 SAR 5.95
-
-
Cappuccino
$3.19 SAR 11.98
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
16.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 SAR 3.41
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-34.06%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29 SAR 1.08
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-61.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.67 SAR 6.25
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
-4.02%
White Bread (500g)
$0.89 SAR 3.34
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-63.82%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.26 SAR 8.49
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
93.16%
Eggs
$2.97 SAR 11.17
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
22.22%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.92 SAR 26.00
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-52.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$8.58 SAR 32.23
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
97.24%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$13.57 SAR 51.0
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
13.27%
Apples (1kg)
$2.31 SAR 8.67
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
-37.90%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 SAR 5.88
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
-3.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.87 SAR 7.02
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
-31.75%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.03 SAR 7.63
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-9.38%
Potato (1kg)
$1.20 SAR 4.49
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
-37.50%
Onion (1kg)
$1.22 SAR 4.57
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-46.49%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 SAR 3.94
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-0.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.66 SAR 2.46
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-8.33%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$4.25 SAR 15.95
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.00 SAR 7.52
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.16 SAR 8.13
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$7.94 SAR 29.82
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
141.34%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$1.37 SAR 5.14
$0.27 Rp 4,778
407.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$39.83 SAR 150
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
391.12%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.35 SAR 8.83
$0.48 Rp 8,659
389.58%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.83 SAR 6.88
$0.42 Rp 7,532
335.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$10.56 SAR 39.65
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
69.77%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.59 SAR 2.22
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-27.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.3K SAR 98.8K
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
-1.13%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.9K SAR 78.6K
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
-35.00%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.1 SAR 289
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-1.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$35.21 SAR 132
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
765.11%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$67.3 SAR 253
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
176.74%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$84.8 SAR 318
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-14.00%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$34.89 SAR 131
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
450.32%
Cinema Ticket
$18.68 SAR 70.1
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
368.17%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$399 SAR 1,500
$305 Rp 5.5M
30.93%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,631 SAR 17.4K
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
-30.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.32 SAR 83.8
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-58.77%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$63.5 SAR 239
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
68.05%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$59.2 SAR 222
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-31.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$51.3 SAR 192
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-32.86%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$226 SAR 849
$992 Rp 17.8M
-77.20%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$290 SAR 1,090
$673 Rp 12.1M
-56.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$686 SAR 2,576
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
-79.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,041 SAR 3,909
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-49.22%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,389 SAR 24.0K
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
127.82%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,305 SAR 8,656
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
3.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mecca
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,089 SAR 4,088
$167 Rp 3.0M
552.07%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.5
13.28
-58.58%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Mecca: July 14, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $226 in Mecca and $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Mecca pays 552% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $40.00 in Mecca vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries flip the comparison at $208 vs $297, with Mecca cheaper for home cooking.

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, Clothing & Footwear. The 35% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mecca or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 552% 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: $226 in Mecca versus $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Mecca and in Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $1,041 per month in Mecca versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – a 35% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Mecca runs roughly 391% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mecca or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,041 in Mecca versus $1,408 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 35% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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