Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Merida and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Merida: $814 a month against $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $6,600 less a year. Higher rent and utilities in Ubud, Bali outweigh lower spending on other living expenses.

Merida
🇻🇪 Venezuela
$814
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,368
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Merida and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Merida and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $814 per month in Merida vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Merida $814
  • Ubud, Bali $1,368

A couple spends around $1,418 per month in Merida vs $2,314 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Merida $1,418
  • Ubud, Bali $2,314

A family of three spends $2,021 per month in Merida vs $3,260 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Merida $2,021
  • Ubud, Bali $3,260

Merida is about 40% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Merida sits 40% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 1% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.90 VES 10.4K
$3.33 Rp 59.9K
257.36%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$60.9 VES 53.4K
$35.18 Rp 633.2K
72.97%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.82 VES 9,500
$5.80 Rp 104.5K
86.55%
Cappuccino
$2.54 VES 2,226
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
-6.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.13 VES 1,867
$1.64 Rp 29.5K
29.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36 VES 1,195
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
63.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.97 VES 1,727
$2.70 Rp 48.6K
-27.04%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.01 VES 2,644
$4.30 Rp 77.4K
-30.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.04 VES 1,788
$1.50 Rp 27.1K
36.00%
White Bread (500g)
$3.32 VES 2,913
$2.30 Rp 41.4K
44.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.00 VES 1,759
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
69.49%
Eggs
$2.51 VES 2,201
$2.14 Rp 38.6K
17.29%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.79 VES 5,965
$17.48 Rp 314.6K
-61.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$7.87 VES 6,912
$4.03 Rp 72.5K
95.29%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.31 VES 6,421
$12.23 Rp 220.1K
-40.23%
Apples (1kg)
$5.11 VES 4,488
$3.55 Rp 63.9K
43.94%
Banana (1kg)
$1.44 VES 1,267
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-8.28%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.76 VES 2,426
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
23.21%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.36 VES 2,070
$1.93 Rp 34.7K
22.28%
Potato (1kg)
$1.98 VES 1,735
$1.88 Rp 33.9K
5.32%
Onion (1kg)
$1.36 VES 1,194
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
-40.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.49 VES 1,307
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
50.51%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.53 VES 2,217
$0.53 Rp 9,475
377.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.71 VES 3,258
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
62.72%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.18 VES 9,812
$23.01 Rp 414.2K
-51.41%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.40 VES 1,233
$2.34 Rp 42.2K
-40.17%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 VES 1,944
$2.91 Rp 52.4K
-24.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 VES 253
$0.24 Rp 4,315
20.83%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.82 Rp 158.7K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.95 VES 3,469
$0.48 Rp 8,684
722.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.48 VES 1,300
$0.46 Rp 8,233
221.74%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.86 VES 5,144
$5.45 Rp 98.2K
7.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.72 VES 629
$0.88 Rp 15.9K
-18.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$45.7K VES 40.1M
$24.6K Rp 442.2M
86.12%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$50.5K VES 44.3M
$31.2K Rp 561.4M
61.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$12.37 VES 10.9K
$83.0 Rp 1.5M
-85.10%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.13 VES 8,894
$6.45 Rp 116.0K
57.05%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$29.49 VES 25.9K
$18.57 Rp 334.2K
58.80%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$29.41 VES 25.8K
$55.8 Rp 1.0M
-47.31%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.79 VES 13.0K
$18.11 Rp 326.0K
-18.33%
Cinema Ticket
$4.93 VES 4,325
$4.38 Rp 78.9K
12.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$88.5 VES 77.7K
$493 Rp 8.9M
-82.05%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,399 VES 2.1M
$5,754 Rp 103.6M
-58.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$72.6 VES 63.7K
$46.19 Rp 831.4K
57.13%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.37 VES 37.2K
$35.33 Rp 636.0K
19.93%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.4 VES 85.5K
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
23.09%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$98.3 VES 86.3K
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
25.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$132 VES 116.2K
$1,142 Rp 20.6M
-88.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$93.6 VES 82.1K
$676 Rp 12.2M
-86.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$224 VES 196.9K
$3,503 Rp 63.1M
-93.60%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$193 VES 169.8K
$1,700 Rp 30.6M
-88.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,184 VES 1.0M
$2,784 Rp 50.1M
-57.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,211 VES 1.1M
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
-45.96%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Merida
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$290 VES 254.9K
$165 Rp 3.0M
76.45%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
25
13.78
81.42%

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

Last update for Merida: October 11, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Merida
$289
Ubud, Bali
$290 0.5% $1.4
Eating Out
Merida
$188
Ubud, Bali
$109 42.1% $79
Clothing & Footwear
Merida
$140
Ubud, Bali
$108 23% $32
Accommodation & Living
Merida
$94
Ubud, Bali
$676 622% $582
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Merida
$52
Ubud, Bali
$108 108% $56
Sport & Entertainment
Merida
$39
Ubud, Bali
$65 64.5% $25
Getting Around
Merida
$13 *
Ubud, Bali
$13 0.3% $0

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $132 in Merida versus $1,142 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 76% higher in Merida, 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 $61.0 in Merida versus $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $289 in Merida vs $290 in Ubud, Bali – so Merida wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

Good to know
🇻🇪 Merida
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
16:59 4:59 PM
04:59 4:59 AM
12 h ahead of Merida
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
250,303
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to VES – Venezuelan Bolívar Converter

Venezuelan Bolívar exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 878 VES (1,000 VES = 1.14 USD). 1 EUR = 987 VES (1,000 VES = 1.01 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 18, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Merida Ubud, Bali 19,310 km ≈ 25 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Merida
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Merida vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Merida or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 68% more than Merida, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from eating out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Merida and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,221 per month in Merida and $2,051 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Merida or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Merida, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Merida compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $814 in Merida and $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. That's a gap of about 68%.
How do childcare costs compare in Merida and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $88.5 per month in Merida and $493 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Merida or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Merida, where all-in costs run around $814, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Merida it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Merida or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Merida costs $814 versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Merida compared to Ubud, Bali?
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.
Should I move to Merida or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Merida. 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.

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