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