🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $417 in Negombo versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $688 in Negombo versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $958 in Negombo versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Negombo costs roughly 70% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Negombo is 69% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.04LKR 1,356
$3.45Rp 62.1K
17.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.34LKR 6,165
$32.34Rp 581.1K
-43.29%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.18LKR 2,750
$4.84Rp 87.1K
69.01%
Cappuccino
$1.36LKR 457
$2.75Rp 49.4K
-50.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68LKR 229
$1.38Rp 24.9K
-50.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37LKR 125
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-50.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.96LKR 658
$2.99Rp 53.8K
-34.45%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.33LKR 1,118
$3.85Rp 69.2K
-13.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55LKR 520
$1.74Rp 31.2K
-10.92%
White Bread(500g)
$0.49LKR 164
$2.46Rp 44.2K
-80.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.86LKR 288
$1.17Rp 21.0K
-26.50%
Eggs
$2.21LKR 742
$2.43Rp 43.7K
-9.05%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.31LKR 4,810
$14.50Rp 260.6K
-1.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.61LKR 1,549
$4.35Rp 78.2K
5.98%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.58LKR 1,876
$11.98Rp 215.3K
-53.42%
Apples(1kg)
$2.02LKR 680
$3.72Rp 66.8K
-45.70%
Banana(1kg)
$0.77LKR 257
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-52.76%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.44LKR 819
$2.74Rp 49.3K
-10.95%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21LKR 408
$2.24Rp 40.3K
-45.98%
Potato(1kg)
$0.86LKR 289
$1.92Rp 34.5K
-55.21%
Onion(1kg)
$0.95LKR 318
$2.28Rp 40.9K
-58.33%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03LKR 344
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-2.83%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61LKR 204
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-15.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.64LKR 2,903
$3.29Rp 59.0K
162.61%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.87LKR 4,325
$23.19Rp 416.8K
-44.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.06LKR 694
$2.78Rp 49.9K
-25.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.96LKR 993
$2.73Rp 49.1K
8.42%
🚌 Getting Around
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32LKR 106
$0.27Rp 4,786
18.52%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.11Rp 145.7K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.39LKR 131
$0.48Rp 8,675
-18.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.33LKR 112
$0.42Rp 7,545
-21.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.60LKR 203
$6.22Rp 111.8K
-90.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.21LKR 406
$0.81Rp 14.6K
49.38%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$27.1KLKR 9.1M
$26.6KRp 478.2M
1.89%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4KLKR 11.6M
$32.2KRp 578.5M
6.88%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$30.72LKR 10.3K
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-60.79%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.31LKR 1,448
$4.07Rp 73.1K
5.90%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$14.95LKR 5,025
$24.33Rp 437.1K
-38.55%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$13.13LKR 4,413
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-86.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.88LKR 3,321
$6.34Rp 113.9K
55.84%
Cinema Ticket
$2.49LKR 837
$3.99Rp 71.6K
-37.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$36.96LKR 12.4K
$305Rp 5.5M
-87.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$442LKR 148.5K
$6,642Rp 119.4M
-93.35%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$19.56LKR 6,574
$54.1Rp 972.9K
-63.87%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$19.18LKR 6,447
$37.81Rp 679.4K
-49.27%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$48.46LKR 16.3K
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-44.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$27.21LKR 9,144
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-64.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$992Rp 17.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$673Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,375Rp 60.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,805Rp 50.4M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,227Rp 40.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$177LKR 59.5K
$167Rp 3.0M
6.09%
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: July 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Negombo pays 6% 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 $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $204 vs $297 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 237% 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Negombo, 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $36.96 in Negombo versus $305 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 and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Negombo – a meal for two runs $18.00 versus $32.00 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 in Ubud, Bali?
At $417 in Negombo versus $1,408 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 $417 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 237% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.