Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Polonnaruwa and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Polonnaruwa: $510 a month against $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Polonnaruwa, Sri Lanka
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Polonnaruwa
🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
$510
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Polonnaruwa and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Polonnaruwa and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $510 per month in Polonnaruwa vs $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Polonnaruwa $510
  • Ubud, Bali $1,331

A couple spends around $829 per month in Polonnaruwa vs $2,255 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Polonnaruwa $829
  • Ubud, Bali $2,255

A family of three spends $1,148 per month in Polonnaruwa vs $3,180 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Polonnaruwa $1,148
  • Ubud, Bali $3,180

Polonnaruwa is about 62% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in leisure.

Both Polonnaruwa and Ubud, Bali are more affordable than the global median – Polonnaruwa 62% lower, Ubud, Bali 2% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.89 LKR 1,294
$3.38 Rp 61.3K
15.09%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.28 LKR 8,410
$34.65 Rp 629.1K
-27.04%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.32 LKR 2,435
$5.57 Rp 101.2K
31.42%
Cappuccino
$2.56 LKR 850
$2.62 Rp 47.6K
-2.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 LKR 228
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
-55.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.27 LKR 89.8
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
-57.81%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.17 LKR 721
$2.67 Rp 48.4K
-18.73%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 LKR 990
$4.26 Rp 77.4K
-30.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 LKR 526
$1.46 Rp 26.5K
8.22%
White Bread (500g)
$0.54 LKR 178
$2.29 Rp 41.6K
-76.42%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.81 LKR 269
$1.11 Rp 20.1K
-27.03%
Eggs
$1.70 LKR 567
$2.10 Rp 38.1K
-19.05%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.24 LKR 5,069
$15.94 Rp 289.4K
-4.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.93 LKR 1,639
$3.88 Rp 70.5K
27.06%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.66 LKR 2,547
$11.40 Rp 207.0K
-32.81%
Apples (1kg)
$6.48 LKR 2,156
$3.55 Rp 64.5K
82.54%
Banana (1kg)
$0.81 LKR 269
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
-47.40%
Oranges (1kg)
$4.25 LKR 1,414
$2.23 Rp 40.5K
90.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.27 LKR 423
$1.97 Rp 35.8K
-35.53%
Potato (1kg)
$1.04 LKR 345
$1.86 Rp 33.7K
-44.09%
Onion (1kg)
$0.77 LKR 255
$2.42 Rp 43.9K
-68.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.26 LKR 419
$1.02 Rp 18.6K
23.53%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.42 LKR 139
$0.52 Rp 9,483
-19.23%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$10.10 LKR 3,358
$2.20 Rp 39.9K
359.09%
Wine (Bottle)
$13.57 LKR 4,513
$21.79 Rp 395.6K
-37.72%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.87 LKR 622
$2.33 Rp 42.2K
-19.74%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.98 LKR 990
$2.97 Rp 53.9K
0.34%
🚌 Getting Around
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.25 Rp 4,546
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.17 Rp 148.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.37 LKR 124
$0.44 Rp 7,947
-15.91%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 LKR 102
$0.47 Rp 8,496
-34.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$0.86 LKR 285
$5.60 Rp 101.7K
-84.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.32 LKR 439
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
59.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$44.4K LKR 14.8M
$24.4K Rp 443.8M
81.74%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$45.5K LKR 15.1M
$31.7K Rp 575.5M
43.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.0 LKR 19.3K
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
-25.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.27 LKR 1,419
$6.14 Rp 111.6K
-30.46%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$20.36 LKR 6,772
$18.92 Rp 343.4K
7.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$51.0 Rp 925.8K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.25 Rp 331.3K
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.60 LKR 1,532
$4.38 Rp 79.6K
5.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$40.23 LKR 13.4K
$492 Rp 8.9M
-91.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.1K LKR 5.7M
$12.2K Rp 221.9M
40.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$18.01 LKR 5,989
$45.16 Rp 819.9K
-60.12%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$17.32 LKR 5,761
$34.89 Rp 633.4K
-50.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.8 LKR 26.2K
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
0.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.05 LKR 13.7K
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-47.28%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,078 Rp 19.6M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$665 Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,510 Rp 63.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,671 Rp 30.3M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,340 Rp 42.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,236 Rp 40.6M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Polonnaruwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$166 Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
12.5
13.78
-9.29%

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

Last update for Polonnaruwa: October 31, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Groceries & Markets
Polonnaruwa
$242
Ubud, Bali
$279 15.3% $37
Eating Out
Polonnaruwa
$104
Ubud, Bali
$106 1.3% $1.4
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Polonnaruwa
$83
Ubud, Bali
$103 24.1% $20
Clothing & Footwear
Polonnaruwa
$70
Ubud, Bali
$106 52.2% $36
Sport & Entertainment
Polonnaruwa
$9.2 *
Ubud, Bali
$60 549% $51
Getting Around
Polonnaruwa
$1.9 *
Ubud, Bali
$12 529% $10
Accommodation & Living
Polonnaruwa
- *
Ubud, Bali
$665

Categories marked with * are only partly priced – their share counts the items that do have prices.

Cost Breakdown

A mid-range dinner for two costs $25 in Polonnaruwa versus $35 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $242 vs $279 – making Polonnaruwa the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇱🇰 Polonnaruwa
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
22:02 10:02 PM
00:32 12:32 AM
2 h 30 min ahead of Polonnaruwa
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
15,000
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to LKR – Sri Lankan Rupee Converter

Sri Lankan Rupee exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 333 LKR (1,000 LKR = 3.01 USD). 1 EUR = 373 LKR (1,000 LKR = 2.68 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 4, 2026: 1 USD = 18,155 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,353 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.91 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Polonnaruwa Ubud, Bali 4,210 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Polonnaruwa
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Polonnaruwa vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Polonnaruwa or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 161% more than Polonnaruwa, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from leisure. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Polonnaruwa and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $765 per month in Polonnaruwa and $1,996 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Polonnaruwa compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $510 in Polonnaruwa and $1,331 in Ubud, Bali. That makes Polonnaruwa about 62% cheaper.
How do childcare costs compare in Polonnaruwa and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $40 per month in Polonnaruwa and $492 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $800/month in Polonnaruwa or in Ubud, Bali?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Polonnaruwa, where all-in costs run around $510, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,331. In Polonnaruwa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Polonnaruwa or Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $510 in Polonnaruwa to $1,331 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Polonnaruwa compared to Ubud, Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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