Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Reston, VA and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,349 a month against $3,210 in Reston, VA, rent and utilities included – about $22,300 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Reston, VA, United States
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Reston, VA
🇺🇸 United States
$3,210
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,349
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Reston, VA 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 Reston, VA and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $3,210 in Reston, VA versus $1,349 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Reston, VA $3,210
  • Ubud, Bali $1,349

Estimated couple costs with rent: $5,151 in Reston, VA versus $2,305 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Reston, VA $5,151
  • Ubud, Bali $2,305

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $7,092 in Reston, VA versus $3,261 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Reston, VA $7,092
  • Ubud, Bali $3,261

Living in Reston, VA is roughly 138% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$24.67 $24.67
$3.32 Rp 60.3K
643.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$118 $118
$35.64 Rp 646.5K
230.78%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.18 $10.18
$5.53 Rp 100.4K
84.09%
Cappuccino
$5.90 $5.90
$2.72 Rp 49.3K
116.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 $2.97
$1.70 Rp 30.9K
74.71%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.66 $2.66
$0.76 Rp 13.8K
250.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$7.04 $7.04
$2.65 Rp 48.1K
165.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$7.44 $7.44
$4.38 Rp 79.5K
69.86%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.29 $1.29
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
-13.42%
White Bread (500g)
$4.19 $4.19
$2.28 Rp 41.3K
83.77%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$4.31 $4.31
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
262.18%
Eggs
$5.29 $5.29
$2.04 Rp 36.9K
159.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.14 $17.14
$17.70 Rp 321.1K
-3.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$16.56 $16.56
$3.96 Rp 71.9K
318.18%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$23.03 $23.03
$12.19 Rp 221.1K
88.93%
Apples (1kg)
$6.93 $6.93
$3.66 Rp 66.3K
89.34%
Banana (1kg)
$1.73 $1.73
$1.52 Rp 27.5K
13.82%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.99 $3.99
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
78.92%
Tomato (1kg)
$5.93 $5.93
$1.97 Rp 35.8K
201.02%
Potato (1kg)
$2.89 $2.89
$1.85 Rp 33.5K
56.22%
Onion (1kg)
$3.72 $3.72
$2.42 Rp 44.0K
53.72%
Lettuce (1 head)
$2.91 $2.91
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
193.94%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.46 $2.46
$0.51 Rp 9,313
382.35%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.99 $13.99
$2.22 Rp 40.3K
530.18%
Wine (Bottle)
$18.29 $18.29
$22.24 Rp 403.4K
-17.76%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.70 $1.70
$2.26 Rp 41.0K
-24.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.67 $4.67
$2.97 Rp 53.9K
57.24%
🚌 Getting Around
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.93 $3.93
$0.25 Rp 4,553
1472.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$128 $128
$7.82 Rp 141.9K
1536.70%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.99 $3.99
$0.44 Rp 7,972
806.82%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.61 $1.61
$0.43 Rp 7,801
274.42%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$25.13 $25.13
$5.41 Rp 98.1K
364.51%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.00 $1.00
$0.82 Rp 15.0K
21.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$30.3K $30.3K
$23.8K Rp 432.4M
27.19%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.7K $23.7K
$31.7K Rp 575.9M
-25.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$214 $214
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
171.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$63.7 $63.7
$6.45 Rp 116.9K
886.82%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$79.2 $79.2
$18.58 Rp 337.0K
326.32%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$101 $101
$49.48 Rp 897.5K
104.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.23 $30.23
$17.65 Rp 320.1K
71.27%
Cinema Ticket
$15.91 $15.91
$4.27 Rp 77.5K
272.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$2,926 $2,926
$491 Rp 8.9M
496.58%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$41.5K $41.5K
$5,674 Rp 102.9M
630.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$75.2 $75.2
$44.64 Rp 809.7K
68.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$43.29 $43.29
$34.95 Rp 634.0K
23.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$106 $106
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
32.93%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$126 $126
$79.4 Rp 1.4M
58.88%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,364 $2,364
$1,125 Rp 20.4M
110.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,536 $1,536
$671 Rp 12.2M
128.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,630 $3,630
$3,565 Rp 64.7M
1.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$3,204 $3,204
$1,723 Rp 31.3M
85.92%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$6,480 $6,480
$2,732 Rp 49.5M
137.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$4,297 $4,297
$2,284 Rp 41.4M
88.14%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Reston, VA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$6,272 $6,272
$164 Rp 3.0M
3728.28%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
6.63
13.78
-51.89%

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

Last update for Reston, VA: October 25, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Reston, VA
$1.5K
Ubud, Bali
$672 56.3% $864
Groceries & Markets
Reston, VA
$499
Ubud, Bali
$288 42.2% $210
Eating Out
Reston, VA
$371
Ubud, Bali
$108 71% $264
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reston, VA
$357
Ubud, Bali
$104 70.9% $253
Clothing & Footwear
Reston, VA
$158
Ubud, Bali
$108 31.9% $50
Getting Around
Reston, VA
$156
Ubud, Bali
$11 92.7% $144
Sport & Entertainment
Reston, VA
$133
Ubud, Bali
$58 56.4% $75

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $2,364 in Reston, VA and $1,125 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Reston, VA pays about 38 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $118 in Reston, VA vs $36 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $499 vs $288 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇺🇸 Reston, VA
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
22:23 10:23 PM
11:23 11:23 AM
13 h ahead of Reston, VA
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
58,404
74,800
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, EUR to USD – United States Dollar Converter

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.896 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18,138 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,252 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Reston, VA Ubud, Bali 16,400 km ≈ 21 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Reston, VA
  • 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
Reston, VA vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Reston, VA or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 58% lower than in Reston, VA. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Reston, VA or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay in Reston, VA is about 38 times higher, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Reston, VA compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $2,364 in Reston, VA versus $1,125 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Reston, VA and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $36 versus $118 in Reston, VA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Reston, VA compared to Ubud, Bali?
All in, you’ll spend $3,210 per month in Reston, VA versus $1,349 in Ubud, Bali – Ubud, Bali is about 58% cheaper, which adds up to real savings over time.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Reston, VA or in Ubud, Bali?
Both cities are expensive relative to $1,000. Ubud, Bali is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Reston, VA or Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 58% less than in Reston, VA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Reston, VA vs other spots: cost of living compared

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