Cost of Living Comparison Between Pontianak and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Pontianak and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $662 in Pontianak versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,032 in Pontianak versus $2,549 in Ubud, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,403 in Pontianak versus $3,694 in Ubud, Bali.

Living in Pontianak costs roughly 53% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Pontianak is 51% below, Ubud, Bali is 4% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.48 Rp 26.6K
$3.57 Rp 64.0K
-58.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.25 Rp 219.5K
$32.50 Rp 582.3K
-62.31%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.32 Rp 59.4K
$4.86 Rp 87.1K
-31.69%
Cappuccino
$1.70 Rp 30.5K
$2.75 Rp 49.2K
-38.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 Rp 9,199
$1.32 Rp 23.7K
-61.36%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.28 Rp 5,070
$0.70 Rp 12.6K
-60.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.01 Rp 53.9K
$2.91 Rp 52.2K
3.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.48 Rp 44.4K
$3.79 Rp 68.0K
-34.56%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.17 Rp 20.9K
$1.71 Rp 30.6K
-31.58%
White Bread (500g)
$1.13 Rp 20.3K
$2.47 Rp 44.3K
-54.25%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.88 Rp 15.7K
$1.20 Rp 21.5K
-26.67%
Eggs
$1.54 Rp 27.6K
$2.44 Rp 43.8K
-36.89%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$8.05 Rp 144.3K
$14.38 Rp 257.7K
-44.02%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.21 Rp 57.6K
$4.31 Rp 77.1K
-25.52%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.00 Rp 143.4K
$12.21 Rp 218.7K
-34.48%
Apples (1kg)
$2.38 Rp 42.7K
$3.68 Rp 66.0K
-35.33%
Banana (1kg)
$1.45 Rp 25.9K
$1.55 Rp 27.8K
-6.45%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 32.5K
$2.79 Rp 49.9K
-35.13%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 27.6K
$2.33 Rp 41.8K
-33.91%
Potato (1kg)
$1.32 Rp 23.7K
$1.97 Rp 35.3K
-32.99%
Onion (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.3K
$2.31 Rp 41.4K
-14.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.97 Rp 17.4K
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-8.49%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41 Rp 7,381
$0.73 Rp 13.1K
-43.84%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$1.87 Rp 33.5K
$3.28 Rp 58.8K
-42.99%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.18 Rp 379.5K
$22.79 Rp 408.4K
-7.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.08 Rp 37.3K
$2.81 Rp 50.3K
-25.98%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.23 Rp 57.8K
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
16.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.32 Rp 5,765
$0.29 Rp 5,217
10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.97 Rp 178.5K
$8.06 Rp 144.4K
23.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.56 Rp 10.1K
$0.45 Rp 8,047
24.44%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.38 Rp 6,719
$0.45 Rp 8,094
-15.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.88 Rp 51.7K
$6.24 Rp 111.7K
-53.85%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 Rp 15.3K
$0.85 Rp 15.2K
1.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K Rp 447.0M
$26.0K Rp 465.4M
-3.96%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1K Rp 485.9M
$31.7K Rp 567.2M
-14.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$69.6 Rp 1.2M
$80.8 Rp 1.4M
-13.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.36 Rp 78.1K
$4.06 Rp 72.7K
7.39%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.01 Rp 412.3K
$24.42 Rp 437.6K
-5.77%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$22.69 Rp 406.5K
$97.7 Rp 1.7M
-76.77%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.05 Rp 108.4K
$6.45 Rp 115.5K
-6.20%
Cinema Ticket
$3.00 Rp 53.7K
$4.04 Rp 72.4K
-25.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$92.9 Rp 1.7M
$304 Rp 5.4M
-69.44%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$7,731 Rp 138.5M
$6,621 Rp 118.6M
16.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$41.79 Rp 748.7K
$54.2 Rp 971.7K
-22.94%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.69 Rp 549.8K
$38.78 Rp 694.7K
-20.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$66.7 Rp 1.2M
$86.1 Rp 1.5M
-22.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.7 Rp 1.3M
$76.7 Rp 1.4M
-3.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$259 Rp 4.6M
$986 Rp 17.7M
-73.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 Rp 2.8M
$658 Rp 11.8M
-75.86%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$595 Rp 10.7M
$3,369 Rp 60.4M
-82.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$334 Rp 6.0M
$2,066 Rp 37.0M
-83.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,207 Rp 21.6M
$2,741 Rp 49.1M
-55.98%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$734 Rp 13.1M
$2,228 Rp 39.9M
-67.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Pontianak
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$335 Rp 6.0M
$163 Rp 2.9M
105.23%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%

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

Last update for Pontianak: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $259 in Pontianak and $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Pontianak pays 105% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $12.00 in Pontianak vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $208 vs $297 per month, with Pontianak 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
Pontianak vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Pontianak?
Pontianak is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 112% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Pontianak or Ubud, Bali?
Pontianak pays 105% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Pontianak and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $259 in Pontianak versus $986 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What are total monthly expenses in Pontianak vs Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $662 per month in Pontianak versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali – a 112% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Pontianak runs roughly 24% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Pontianak or Ubud, Bali?
At $662 in Pontianak versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Pontianak but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Pontianak the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Pontianak or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Pontianak is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Pontianak or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Pontianak 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Pontianak gentler on the wallet – expenses run 112% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Pontianak vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities