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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,048 per month in Reykjavik vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $5,736 per month in Reykjavik vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $7,424 per month in Reykjavik vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Reykjavik costs about 190% more than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Reykjavik and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Reykjavik by 195%, Ubud, Bali by 2%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$30.26 ISK 3,667
$3.37 Rp 59.9K
797.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$135 ISK 16.4K
$38.59 Rp 685.5K
251.05%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$26.29 ISK 3,186
$5.52 Rp 98.1K
376.27%
Cappuccino
$6.95 ISK 842
$2.64 Rp 47.0K
163.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.30 ISK 400
$1.67 Rp 29.7K
97.60%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.35 ISK 406
$0.77 Rp 13.7K
335.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$14.06 ISK 1,704
$2.63 Rp 46.8K
434.60%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$12.60 ISK 1,527
$4.28 Rp 76.1K
194.39%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.10 ISK 254
$1.55 Rp 27.5K
35.48%
White Bread (500g)
$4.47 ISK 542
$2.22 Rp 39.5K
101.35%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$3.59 ISK 436
$1.13 Rp 20.0K
217.70%
Eggs
$7.13 ISK 865
$2.09 Rp 37.1K
241.15%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$21.34 ISK 2,586
$17.39 Rp 309.0K
22.71%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$24.37 ISK 2,953
$3.87 Rp 68.7K
529.72%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$42.10 ISK 5,102
$12.55 Rp 222.9K
235.46%
Apples (1kg)
$3.35 ISK 406
$3.62 Rp 64.2K
-7.46%
Banana (1kg)
$2.82 ISK 341
$1.56 Rp 27.7K
80.77%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.21 ISK 389
$2.35 Rp 41.8K
36.60%
Tomato (1kg)
$6.24 ISK 756
$2.06 Rp 36.5K
202.91%
Potato (1kg)
$4.01 ISK 487
$1.90 Rp 33.7K
111.05%
Onion (1kg)
$1.70 ISK 206
$2.34 Rp 41.5K
-27.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$3.83 ISK 464
$1.03 Rp 18.3K
271.84%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.78 ISK 216
$0.55 Rp 9,854
223.64%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$13.75 ISK 1,666
$2.25 Rp 40.0K
511.11%
Wine (Bottle)
$24.28 ISK 2,942
$23.81 Rp 422.9K
1.97%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.79 ISK 460
$2.31 Rp 41.1K
64.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 ISK 418
$2.80 Rp 49.8K
23.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$5.81 ISK 704
$0.27 Rp 4,839
2051.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$92.7 ISK 11.2K
$8.66 Rp 153.9K
970.79%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$6.84 ISK 829
$0.48 Rp 8,554
1325.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.90 ISK 352
$0.45 Rp 7,924
544.44%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$74.5 ISK 9,033
$5.72 Rp 101.6K
1203.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.00 ISK 242
$0.76 Rp 13.5K
163.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.6K ISK 6.1M
$24.5K Rp 434.9M
106.54%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$53.4K ISK 6.5M
$32.1K Rp 570.6M
66.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$89.6 ISK 10.9K
$83.6 Rp 1.5M
7.22%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$33.11 ISK 4,013
$6.46 Rp 114.7K
412.54%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.1 ISK 10.3K
$18.99 Rp 337.4K
348.34%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$99.0 ISK 12.0K
$56.0 Rp 994.4K
76.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$50.3 ISK 6,100
$18.62 Rp 330.7K
170.35%
Cinema Ticket
$19.43 ISK 2,354
$4.28 Rp 76.1K
353.97%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,173 ISK 142.1K
$487 Rp 8.6M
141.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$31.2K ISK 3.8M
$5,856 Rp 104.0M
433.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$161 ISK 19.5K
$45.56 Rp 809.3K
253.20%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$65.1 ISK 7,890
$36.38 Rp 646.3K
78.97%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$183 ISK 22.2K
$82.0 Rp 1.5M
123.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$249 ISK 30.2K
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
209.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,506 ISK 303.7K
$1,117 Rp 19.8M
124.43%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,092 ISK 253.5K
$701 Rp 12.5M
198.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,408 ISK 413.0K
$3,537 Rp 62.8M
-3.63%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,752 ISK 333.5K
$1,762 Rp 31.3M
56.17%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$7,972 ISK 966.1K
$2,826 Rp 50.2M
182.09%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$6,354 ISK 770.0K
$2,292 Rp 40.7M
177.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Reykjavik
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$4,606 ISK 558.1K
$170 Rp 3.0M
2612.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.88
13.78
-35.56%

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

Last update for Reykjavik: August 29, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $2,506 in Reykjavik versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 2613% higher in Reykjavik, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $135 in Reykjavik versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $625 vs $293 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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
Reykjavik vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Reykjavik or Ubud, Bali?
Reykjavik costs about 190% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 Reykjavik and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $6,073 per month in Reykjavik and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Reykjavik or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Reykjavik compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $4,048 in Reykjavik and $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Reykjavik compared to Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 971% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Reykjavik or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,396, than in Reykjavik at $4,048. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Reykjavik it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Reykjavik or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,396 versus $4,048 in Reykjavik. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Reykjavik compared to Ubud, Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Reykjavik or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Reykjavik makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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