🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $413 in Negombo versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $687 in Negombo versus $2,540 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $962 in Negombo versus $3,660 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Living in Negombo costs roughly 71% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Negombo is 69% below, Ubud, Bali is 6% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.96LKR 1,312
$3.56Rp 63.7K
11.24%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.05LKR 5,986
$32.73Rp 584.5K
-44.85%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.33LKR 2,762
$4.95Rp 88.4K
68.28%
Cappuccino
$1.39LKR 461
$2.71Rp 48.4K
-48.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73LKR 243
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-45.52%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38LKR 125
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-45.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.98LKR 657
$2.92Rp 52.1K
-32.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.37LKR 1,118
$3.96Rp 70.7K
-14.90%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.54LKR 509
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-14.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49LKR 161
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-80.56%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.81LKR 267
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-30.17%
Eggs
$2.19LKR 726
$2.46Rp 43.9K
-10.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.35LKR 4,757
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-2.45%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.60LKR 1,525
$4.32Rp 77.1K
6.48%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.64LKR 1,871
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-53.54%
Apples(1kg)
$1.97LKR 653
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-48.70%
Banana(1kg)
$0.77LKR 254
$1.56Rp 27.8K
-50.64%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.49LKR 826
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-12.01%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20LKR 397
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-48.50%
Potato(1kg)
$0.85LKR 283
$1.91Rp 34.2K
-55.50%
Onion(1kg)
$0.97LKR 321
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-55.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.97LKR 323
$1.01Rp 18.1K
-3.96%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.57LKR 188
$0.78Rp 13.8K
-26.92%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.90LKR 2,952
$3.32Rp 59.2K
168.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.93LKR 4,286
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-45.53%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.07LKR 687
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-25.81%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97LKR 986
$2.86Rp 51.1K
3.85%
🚌 Getting Around
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32LKR 105
$0.27Rp 4,800
18.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.03Rp 143.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.39LKR 129
$0.46Rp 8,150
-15.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33LKR 109
$0.45Rp 8,037
-26.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.57LKR 189
$6.10Rp 108.9K
-90.66%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.26LKR 418
$0.79Rp 14.2K
59.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KLKR 8.8M
$26.1KRp 467.0M
1.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$35.4KLKR 11.7M
$32.1KRp 573.6M
10.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$30.48LKR 10.1K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
-61.87%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.43LKR 1,469
$4.06Rp 72.6K
9.11%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.87LKR 4,932
$23.52Rp 420.0K
-36.78%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.58LKR 4,501
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-86.24%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.12LKR 3,354
$6.63Rp 118.4K
52.64%
Cinema Ticket
$2.48LKR 823
$4.15Rp 74.1K
-40.24%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.75LKR 12.2K
$304Rp 5.4M
-87.91%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$441LKR 146.4K
$6,613Rp 118.1M
-93.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.50LKR 6,466
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-64.89%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.18LKR 6,360
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-49.93%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.26LKR 16.0K
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-45.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$26.40LKR 8,752
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-66.10%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$675Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$178LKR 59.0K
$165Rp 3.0M
7.72%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
16.45
13.28
23.87%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Negombo: June 1, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Negombo pays 8% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $18.00 in Negombo vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $302 per month, with Negombo 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
Negombo vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Negombo or Ubud, Bali?
Negombo wins on cost – living expenses run 244% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Negombo the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Negombo or Ubud, Bali?
Negombo pays 8% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do childcare costs compare in Negombo and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $36.75 in Negombo versus $304 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do dining costs compare in Negombo vs Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Negombo – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Negombo or Ubud, Bali?
At $413 in Negombo versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Negombo but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Negombo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Negombo or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Negombo delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $413 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Negombo hard to pass up.
How safe is Negombo compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Negombo 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Negombo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 244% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.