Cost of Living Comparison Between Montego Bay and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Montego Bay and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,314 per month in Montego Bay vs $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,787 per month in Montego Bay vs $2,549 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,261 per month in Montego Bay vs $3,694 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Montego Bay is about 6% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Montego Bay sits 2% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.54 JMD 1,186

$3.57 Rp 64.0K

111.20%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$50.3 JMD 7,905

$32.50 Rp 582.3K

54.65%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.38 JMD 1,161

$4.86 Rp 87.1K

51.85%

Cappuccino

$4.31 JMD 678

$2.75 Rp 49.2K

56.73%

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

$1.33 JMD 209

$1.32 Rp 23.7K

0.76%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.76 JMD 120

$0.70 Rp 12.6K

8.57%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.43 JMD 382

$2.91 Rp 52.2K

-16.49%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.18 JMD 500

$3.79 Rp 68.0K

-16.09%

Milk (1 liter)

$2.53 JMD 397

$1.71 Rp 30.6K

47.95%

White Bread (500g)

$2.76 JMD 434

$2.47 Rp 44.3K

11.74%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.63 JMD 257

$1.20 Rp 21.5K

35.83%

Eggs

$3.56 JMD 559

$2.44 Rp 43.8K

45.90%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$10.94 JMD 1,721

$14.38 Rp 257.7K

-23.92%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.45 JMD 1,014

$4.31 Rp 77.1K

49.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.56 JMD 1,189

$12.21 Rp 218.7K

-38.08%

Apples (1kg)

$3.42 JMD 537

$3.68 Rp 66.0K

-7.07%

Banana (1kg)

$3.14 JMD 494

$1.55 Rp 27.8K

102.58%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.71 JMD 427

$2.79 Rp 49.9K

-2.87%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.75 JMD 275

$2.33 Rp 41.8K

-24.89%

Potato (1kg)

$2.03 JMD 319

$1.97 Rp 35.3K

3.05%

Onion (1kg)

$1.13 JMD 178

$2.31 Rp 41.4K

-51.08%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.91 JMD 301

$1.06 Rp 19.1K

80.19%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.95 JMD 149

$0.73 Rp 13.1K

30.14%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$9.03 JMD 1,420

$3.28 Rp 58.8K

175.30%

Wine (Bottle)

$11.28 JMD 1,773

$22.79 Rp 408.4K

-50.50%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.11 JMD 332

$2.81 Rp 50.3K

-24.91%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.16 JMD 497

$2.78 Rp 49.9K

13.67%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.96 JMD 151

$0.29 Rp 5,217

231.03%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.06 Rp 144.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.91 JMD 143

$0.45 Rp 8,047

102.22%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.21 JMD 505

$0.45 Rp 8,094

613.33%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.40 JMD 1,006

$6.24 Rp 111.7K

2.56%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.29 JMD 203

$0.85 Rp 15.2K

51.76%

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

$43.6K JMD 6.9M

$26.0K Rp 465.4M

67.81%

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

$33.7K JMD 5.3M

$31.7K Rp 567.2M

6.53%

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

$163 JMD 25.6K

$80.8 Rp 1.4M

101.46%

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

$21.15 JMD 3,327

$4.06 Rp 72.7K

420.94%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$47.83 JMD 7,522

$24.42 Rp 437.6K

95.86%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$37.84 JMD 5,952

$97.7 Rp 1.7M

-61.26%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.45 Rp 115.5K

Cinema Ticket

$7.55 JMD 1,188

$4.04 Rp 72.4K

86.88%

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

$63.0 JMD 9,903

$304 Rp 5.4M

-79.29%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,913 JMD 300.9K

$6,621 Rp 118.6M

-71.11%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$25.80 JMD 4,057

$54.2 Rp 971.7K

-52.42%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$19.75 JMD 3,106

$38.78 Rp 694.7K

-49.07%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$66.6 JMD 10.5K

$86.1 Rp 1.5M

-22.65%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$75.2 JMD 11.8K

$76.7 Rp 1.4M

-1.93%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$266 JMD 41.8K

$986 Rp 17.7M

-73.05%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$448 JMD 70.4K

$658 Rp 11.8M

-31.96%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$648 JMD 102.0K

$3,369 Rp 60.4M

-80.76%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$442 JMD 69.6K

$2,066 Rp 37.0M

-78.58%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,741 Rp 49.1M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,228 Rp 39.9M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$552 JMD 86.8K

$163 Rp 2.9M

237.55%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

-39.76%

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

Last update for Montego Bay: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $266 in Montego Bay versus $986 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 238% higher in Montego Bay, 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 $50.0 in Montego Bay versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $284 in Montego Bay vs $297 in Ubud, Bali – so Montego Bay wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

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

Ubud, Bali costs about 7% more than Montego Bay, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,971 per month in Montego Bay and $2,106 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A mid-range dinner for two costs $50.0 in Montego Bay and $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 5% 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 Montego Bay, where all-in costs run around $1,314, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,404. In Montego Bay 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. Montego Bay costs $1,314 versus $1,404 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 Montego Bay. 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.