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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,331 per month in Medina vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,792 per month in Medina vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,254 per month in Medina vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Medina is about 5% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Medina sits 3% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$5.47 SAR 20.53

$3.37 Rp 59.9K

62.31%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$31.95 SAR 120

$38.59 Rp 685.5K

-17.21%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.79 SAR 29.25

$5.52 Rp 98.1K

41.12%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.62 SAR 6.09

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.70 SAR 6.38

Cappuccino

$2.61 SAR 9.79

$2.64 Rp 47.0K

-1.14%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.78 SAR 2.91

$1.67 Rp 29.7K

-53.29%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.25 SAR 0.94

$0.77 Rp 13.7K

-67.53%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.63 Rp 46.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.28 Rp 76.1K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.47 SAR 5.53

$1.55 Rp 27.5K

-5.16%

White Bread (500g)

$0.90 SAR 3.39

$2.22 Rp 39.5K

-59.46%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.38 SAR 8.95

$1.13 Rp 20.0K

110.62%

Eggs

$2.07 SAR 7.77

$2.09 Rp 37.1K

-0.96%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.20 SAR 19.52

$17.39 Rp 309.0K

-70.10%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$7.00 SAR 26.28

$3.87 Rp 68.7K

80.88%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.75 SAR 47.87

$12.55 Rp 222.9K

1.59%

Apples (1kg)

$2.45 SAR 9.19

$3.62 Rp 64.2K

-32.32%

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 SAR 7.11

$1.56 Rp 27.7K

21.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.34 SAR 8.77

$2.35 Rp 41.8K

-0.43%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.54 SAR 5.80

$2.06 Rp 36.5K

-25.24%

Potato (1kg)

$1.40 SAR 5.26

$1.90 Rp 33.7K

-26.32%

Onion (1kg)

$1.34 SAR 5.05

$2.34 Rp 41.5K

-42.74%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.90 SAR 3.38

$1.03 Rp 18.3K

-12.62%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.74 SAR 2.78

$0.55 Rp 9,854

34.55%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$1.28 SAR 4.82

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.47 SAR 5.51

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.57 SAR 5.88

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$7.46 SAR 28.02

$2.25 Rp 40.0K

231.56%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.81 Rp 422.9K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 Rp 41.1K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.80 Rp 49.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$1.04 SAR 3.92

$0.27 Rp 4,839

285.19%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$36.80 SAR 138

$8.66 Rp 153.9K

324.94%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$1.35 SAR 5.06

$0.48 Rp 8,554

181.25%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.69 SAR 6.35

$0.45 Rp 7,924

275.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 SAR 21.01

$5.72 Rp 101.6K

-2.10%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.60 SAR 2.25

$0.76 Rp 13.5K

-21.05%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$41.2K SAR 154.6K

$24.5K Rp 434.9M

68.17%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$20.2K SAR 75.8K

$32.1K Rp 570.6M

-37.16%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$151 SAR 568

$83.6 Rp 1.5M

81.08%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$27.95 SAR 105

$6.46 Rp 114.7K

332.66%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$90.2 SAR 339

$18.99 Rp 337.4K

375.14%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$78.4 SAR 294

$56.0 Rp 994.4K

40.04%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$8.80 SAR 33.06

$18.62 Rp 330.7K

-52.74%

Cinema Ticket

$13.20 SAR 49.57

$4.28 Rp 76.1K

208.41%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$291 SAR 1,091

$487 Rp 8.6M

-40.26%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,476 SAR 20.6K

$5,856 Rp 104.0M

-6.49%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$37.44 SAR 141

$45.56 Rp 809.3K

-17.82%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$53.3 SAR 200

$36.38 Rp 646.3K

46.45%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$65.9 SAR 247

$82.0 Rp 1.5M

-19.66%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$68.5 SAR 257

$80.4 Rp 1.4M

-14.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$562 SAR 2,110

$1,117 Rp 19.8M

-49.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$524 SAR 1,968

$701 Rp 12.5M

-25.25%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$753 SAR 2,826

$3,537 Rp 62.8M

-78.72%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$564 SAR 2,119

$1,762 Rp 31.3M

-67.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,260 SAR 8,487

$2,826 Rp 50.2M

-20.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$1,314 SAR 4,933

$2,292 Rp 40.7M

-42.67%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$1,326 SAR 4,980

$170 Rp 3.0M

681.19%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

4.17

13.78

-69.74%

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

Last update for Medina: September 1, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $562 in Medina versus $1,117 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 681% higher in Medina, 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 $32.00 in Medina versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $190 vs $293 – making Medina 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

Medina vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ubud, Bali costs about 5% more than Medina, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,997 per month in Medina and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Medina, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $291 per month in Medina and $487 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 54% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Medina, where all-in costs run around $1,331, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. In Medina it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Medina costs $1,331 versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Medina. 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.