🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $398 in Negombo versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $648 in Negombo versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $898 in Negombo versus $3,327 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 71% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.34LKR 1,437
$3.44Rp 60.9K
26.16%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.72LKR 5,537
$36.31Rp 643.0K
-53.95%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.74LKR 2,562
$5.71Rp 101.0K
35.55%
Cappuccino
$1.29LKR 426
$2.67Rp 47.3K
-51.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74LKR 246
$1.75Rp 31.0K
-57.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25LKR 82.0
$0.87Rp 15.4K
-71.26%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.27LKR 753
$2.95Rp 52.3K
-23.05%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07LKR 1,017
$4.52Rp 80.0K
-32.08%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.58LKR 522
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-2.47%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58LKR 191
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-75.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.76LKR 252
$1.11Rp 19.6K
-31.53%
Eggs
$1.66LKR 548
$2.20Rp 39.0K
-24.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$13.04LKR 4,317
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-26.29%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.22LKR 1,398
$4.10Rp 72.5K
2.93%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.04LKR 2,000
$12.18Rp 215.6K
-50.41%
Apples(1kg)
$1.82LKR 601
$3.71Rp 65.6K
-50.94%
Banana(1kg)
$0.68LKR 226
$1.59Rp 28.1K
-57.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.23LKR 737
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-2.19%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.21LKR 402
$1.95Rp 34.6K
-37.95%
Potato(1kg)
$0.73LKR 242
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-61.78%
Onion(1kg)
$0.75LKR 247
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-67.81%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90LKR 297
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-10.89%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48LKR 160
$0.55Rp 9,773
-12.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$10.21LKR 3,379
$2.23Rp 39.5K
357.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$13.48LKR 4,463
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-41.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.90LKR 629
$2.42Rp 42.8K
-21.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.77LKR 918
$3.00Rp 53.1K
-7.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.31LKR 103
$0.27Rp 4,814
14.81%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.98Rp 159.1K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.38LKR 126
$0.48Rp 8,566
-20.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.36LKR 119
$0.43Rp 7,679
-16.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$0.89LKR 294
$5.64Rp 99.9K
-84.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.05LKR 348
$0.80Rp 14.2K
31.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.1KLKR 10.0M
$24.9KRp 441.7M
20.56%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$42.3KLKR 14.0M
$31.7KRp 561.5M
33.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$25.91LKR 8,578
$81.5Rp 1.4M
-68.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.26LKR 1,409
$6.49Rp 115.0K
-34.36%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.26LKR 7,040
$18.77Rp 332.4K
13.27%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.30LKR 5,065
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-73.10%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$9.32LKR 3,087
$18.73Rp 331.7K
-50.24%
Cinema Ticket
$2.45LKR 812
$4.54Rp 80.4K
-46.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$37.62LKR 12.5K
$481Rp 8.5M
-92.17%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$460LKR 152.3K
$5,711Rp 101.1M
-91.94%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$8.89LKR 2,944
$45.52Rp 806.0K
-80.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.80LKR 5,561
$35.88Rp 635.4K
-53.18%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$37.16LKR 12.3K
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-53.78%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$24.13LKR 7,990
$78.7Rp 1.4M
-69.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$698Rp 12.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,784Rp 49.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,290Rp 40.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Negombo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$180LKR 59.8K
$168Rp 3.0M
7.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.69
13.78
-7.91%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Negombo: September 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Negombo pays 7% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $17.00 in Negombo vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $193 vs $295 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 243% 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 7% 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 $37.62 in Negombo versus $481 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 $17.00 versus $36.00 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 $398 in Negombo versus $1,368 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 $398 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 243% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.