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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $561 in Riobamba versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $880 in Riobamba versus $2,540 in Ubud, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,199 in Riobamba versus $3,660 in Ubud, Bali.

Living in Riobamba costs roughly 60% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Riobamba is 58% below, Ubud, Bali is 6% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.41 $3.41
$3.56 Rp 63.7K
-4.21%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.97 $14.97
$32.73 Rp 584.5K
-54.26%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.39 $6.39
$4.95 Rp 88.4K
29.09%
Cappuccino
$1.97 $1.97
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
-27.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82 $0.82
$1.34 Rp 24.0K
-38.81%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69 $0.69
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
-1.43%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.46 $1.46
$2.92 Rp 52.1K
-50.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.49 $2.49
$3.96 Rp 70.7K
-37.12%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.01 $1.01
$1.81 Rp 32.3K
-44.20%
White Bread (500g)
$1.68 $1.68
$2.52 Rp 45.0K
-33.33%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.85 $0.85
$1.16 Rp 20.7K
-26.72%
Eggs
$1.67 $1.67
$2.46 Rp 43.9K
-32.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$1.97 $1.97
$14.71 Rp 262.7K
-86.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.09 $3.09
$4.32 Rp 77.1K
-28.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.77 $4.77
$12.14 Rp 216.7K
-60.71%
Apples (1kg)
$1.41 $1.41
$3.84 Rp 68.6K
-63.28%
Banana (1kg)
$0.51 $0.51
$1.56 Rp 27.8K
-67.31%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.24 $1.24
$2.83 Rp 50.6K
-56.18%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.98 $0.98
$2.33 Rp 41.5K
-57.94%
Potato (1kg)
$0.78 $0.78
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
-59.16%
Onion (1kg)
$0.94 $0.94
$2.20 Rp 39.3K
-57.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.44 $0.44
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
-56.44%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.02 $1.02
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
30.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.81 $5.81
$3.32 Rp 59.2K
75.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.44 $5.44
$23.74 Rp 423.9K
-77.09%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.51 $1.51
$2.79 Rp 49.8K
-45.88%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.31 $3.31
$2.86 Rp 51.1K
15.73%
🚌 Getting Around
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 $0.27
$0.27 Rp 4,800
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$24.12 $24.12
$8.03 Rp 143.4K
200.37%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.67 $0.67
$0.46 Rp 8,150
45.65%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.02 $1.02
$0.45 Rp 8,037
126.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$13.57 $13.57
$6.10 Rp 108.9K
122.46%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.68 $0.68
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
-13.92%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.5K $29.5K
$26.1K Rp 467.0M
12.68%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.2K $28.2K
$32.1K Rp 573.6M
-12.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$19.82 $19.82
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
-75.21%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$7.14 $7.14
$4.06 Rp 72.6K
75.86%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.19 $31.19
$23.52 Rp 420.0K
32.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$24.59 $24.59
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
-75.09%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.44 $14.44
$6.63 Rp 118.4K
117.80%
Cinema Ticket
$5.93 $5.93
$4.15 Rp 74.1K
42.89%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$80.7 $80.7
$304 Rp 5.4M
-73.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$1,450 $1,450
$6,613 Rp 118.1M
-78.07%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.11 $49.11
$55.5 Rp 991.8K
-11.58%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$50.7 $50.7
$38.31 Rp 684.1K
32.37%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$97.2 $97.2
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
9.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.9 $64.9
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-16.67%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$114 $114
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
-88.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$96.3 $96.3
$675 Rp 12.1M
-85.74%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$225 $225
$3,442 Rp 61.5M
-93.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$191 $191
$2,039 Rp 36.4M
-90.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,183 $1,183
$2,841 Rp 50.7M
-58.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$836 $836
$2,264 Rp 40.4M
-63.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Riobamba
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$337 $337
$165 Rp 3.0M
104.10%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11.48
13.28
-13.55%

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

Last update for Riobamba: June 1, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $114 in Riobamba and $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Riobamba pays 104% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $15.00 in Riobamba vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $136 vs $302 per month, with Riobamba 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
Riobamba vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Riobamba and Ubud, Bali?
Riobamba and Ubud, Bali differ by about 153% in total monthly costs ($561 vs $1,419 including rent). Riobamba is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Riobamba or Ubud, Bali?
Riobamba pays 104% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Riobamba and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $114 in Riobamba versus $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Riobamba and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $80.7 in Riobamba versus $304 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 122% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $561 in Riobamba versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Riobamba but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Riobamba the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Riobamba and 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.
Is Riobamba or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Riobamba 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.
Where should expats move: Riobamba or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Riobamba gentler on the wallet – expenses run 153% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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