😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,404 in Molde versus $1,392 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,650 in Molde versus $2,557 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,896 in Molde versus $3,723 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Molde is roughly 73% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Molde81% above, Ubud, Bali5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$25.04NOK 237
$3.57Rp 64.5K
601.40%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$81.8NOK 776
$32.32Rp 583.4K
153.19%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$13.47NOK 128
$5.01Rp 90.4K
168.86%
Cappuccino
$5.34NOK 50.6
$2.82Rp 51.0K
89.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87NOK 27.22
$1.35Rp 24.4K
112.59%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.64NOK 25.04
$0.73Rp 13.2K
261.64%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.99NOK 85.3
$2.93Rp 53.0K
206.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$10.19NOK 96.6
$3.94Rp 71.1K
158.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.17NOK 20.54
$1.78Rp 32.1K
21.91%
White Bread(500g)
$3.07NOK 29.11
$2.45Rp 44.2K
25.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.91NOK 37.04
$1.15Rp 20.7K
240.00%
Eggs
$2.98NOK 28.26
$2.41Rp 43.6K
23.65%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.97NOK 85.0
$14.33Rp 258.7K
-37.40%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$17.07NOK 162
$4.19Rp 75.6K
307.40%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$28.04NOK 266
$12.06Rp 217.7K
132.50%
Apples(1kg)
$2.49NOK 23.63
$3.64Rp 65.7K
-31.59%
Banana(1kg)
$2.99NOK 28.38
$1.57Rp 28.3K
90.45%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.42NOK 32.43
$2.79Rp 50.3K
22.58%
Tomato(1kg)
$5.54NOK 52.5
$2.24Rp 40.5K
147.32%
Potato(1kg)
$1.54NOK 14.64
$1.98Rp 35.7K
-22.22%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28NOK 21.65
$2.28Rp 41.1K
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.71NOK 25.66
$1.05Rp 19.0K
158.10%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.92NOK 18.24
$0.79Rp 14.2K
143.04%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$18.08NOK 171
$3.19Rp 57.6K
466.77%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.96NOK 218
$23.49Rp 424.1K
-2.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.87NOK 27.21
$2.90Rp 52.3K
-1.03%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94NOK 37.35
$2.76Rp 49.7K
42.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$4.28NOK 40.61
$0.27Rp 4,813
1485.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$81.5NOK 772
$8.37Rp 151.1K
873.24%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$10.20NOK 96.7
$0.45Rp 8,167
2166.67%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.40NOK 13.23
$0.46Rp 8,298
204.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$46.41NOK 440
$6.07Rp 109.6K
664.58%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25NOK 21.36
$0.86Rp 15.6K
161.63%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.4KNOK 335.9K
$26.6KRp 480.0M
33.24%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.7KNOK 366.5K
$32.5KRp 587.6M
18.75%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$241NOK 2,285
$79.0Rp 1.4M
204.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$37.75NOK 358
$4.09Rp 73.9K
822.98%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$55.4NOK 525
$23.85Rp 430.5K
132.29%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.61NOK 470
$98.8Rp 1.8M
-49.78%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.75NOK 339
$6.35Rp 114.7K
462.99%
Cinema Ticket
$16.73NOK 159
$4.01Rp 72.3K
317.21%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$202NOK 1,918
$297Rp 5.4M
-31.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.1KNOK 95.7K
$6,602Rp 119.2M
52.87%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$96.7NOK 917
$53.4Rp 964.5K
80.97%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$52.4NOK 497
$38.11Rp 688.1K
37.42%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$101NOK 953
$88.7Rp 1.6M
13.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$152NOK 1,437
$76.6Rp 1.4M
97.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,194NOK 11.3K
$1,020Rp 18.4M
17.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$901NOK 8,541
$680Rp 12.3M
32.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,400NOK 13.3K
$3,469Rp 62.6M
-59.65%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,456NOK 13.8K
$2,090Rp 37.7M
-30.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,729Rp 49.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,295Rp 41.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Molde
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$4,189NOK 39.7K
$164Rp 3.0M
2459.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.75
13.28
-71.76%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Molde: July 27, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,194 in Molde and $1,020 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Molde pays 2459% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $82.0 in Molde vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $459 vs $298 per month, with Ubud, Bali 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
Molde vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Molde?
Ubud, Bali is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 73% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Molde or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 2459% higher in Molde, 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 Molde and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,194 in Molde versus $1,020 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $202 in Molde versus $297 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Molde and in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 54% higher in Molde. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Molde or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,392 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,404 in Molde, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Molde. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Molde or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Ubud, Bali is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Molde, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Molde or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Molde 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 Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 73% less than in Molde. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.