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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $983 per month in Saitama vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,315 per month in Saitama vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,646 per month in Saitama vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Saitama is about 30% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Saitama sits 28% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.61 ¥872
$3.37 Rp 59.7K
66.47%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.87 ¥4,804
$38.59 Rp 682.4K
-20.01%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.75 ¥739
$5.52 Rp 97.6K
-13.95%
Cappuccino
$2.98 ¥464
$2.64 Rp 46.8K
12.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 ¥111
$1.67 Rp 29.6K
-57.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.59 ¥92.2
$0.77 Rp 13.6K
-23.38%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.48 ¥386
$2.63 Rp 46.6K
-5.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.08 ¥480
$4.28 Rp 75.7K
-28.04%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.41 ¥220
$1.55 Rp 27.3K
-9.03%
White Bread (500g)
$1.72 ¥268
$2.22 Rp 39.3K
-22.52%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.77 ¥432
$1.13 Rp 19.9K
145.13%
Eggs
$1.97 ¥307
$2.09 Rp 36.9K
-5.74%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.85 ¥1,844
$17.39 Rp 307.6K
-31.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$5.34 ¥831
$3.87 Rp 68.4K
37.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$14.55 ¥2,265
$12.55 Rp 221.9K
15.94%
Apples (1kg)
$5.55 ¥864
$3.62 Rp 63.9K
53.31%
Banana (1kg)
$2.20 ¥343
$1.56 Rp 27.6K
41.03%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.77 ¥431
$2.35 Rp 41.6K
17.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$4.06 ¥633
$2.06 Rp 36.4K
97.09%
Potato (1kg)
$2.51 ¥391
$1.90 Rp 33.6K
32.11%
Onion (1kg)
$1.54 ¥239
$2.34 Rp 41.3K
-34.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.26 ¥196
$1.03 Rp 18.2K
22.33%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 ¥112
$0.55 Rp 9,809
30.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.69 ¥574
$2.25 Rp 39.8K
64.00%
Wine (Bottle)
$6.35 ¥989
$23.81 Rp 421.0K
-73.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 ¥268
$2.31 Rp 40.9K
-25.54%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99 ¥310
$2.80 Rp 49.5K
-28.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.35 ¥521
$0.27 Rp 4,816
1140.74%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.66 Rp 153.2K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.11 ¥485
$0.48 Rp 8,515
547.92%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.46 ¥382
$0.45 Rp 7,887
446.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$20.32 ¥3,163
$5.72 Rp 101.1K
255.24%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.05 ¥164
$0.76 Rp 13.4K
38.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.6K ¥3.4M
$24.5K Rp 433.0M
-11.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$14.5K ¥2.3M
$32.1K Rp 568.0M
-54.97%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$131 ¥20.4K
$83.6 Rp 1.5M
56.78%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$17.94 ¥2,792
$6.46 Rp 114.2K
177.71%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.96 ¥4,974
$18.99 Rp 335.9K
68.30%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$61.9 ¥9,629
$56.0 Rp 989.8K
10.54%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.62 Rp 329.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$10.82 ¥1,683
$4.28 Rp 75.7K
152.80%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$633 ¥98.6K
$487 Rp 8.6M
30.16%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$14.4K ¥2.2M
$5,856 Rp 103.6M
146.14%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$34.98 ¥5,444
$45.56 Rp 805.6K
-23.22%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.53 ¥3,818
$36.38 Rp 643.3K
-32.57%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$55.4 ¥8,622
$82.0 Rp 1.4M
-32.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$61.4 ¥9,560
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
-23.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$409 ¥63.7K
$1,117 Rp 19.7M
-63.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$226 ¥35.1K
$701 Rp 12.4M
-67.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,537 Rp 62.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,762 Rp 31.2M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,826 Rp 50.0M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,292 Rp 40.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Saitama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,517 ¥236.1K
$170 Rp 3.0M
793.44%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
2.06
13.78
-85.05%

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

Last update for Saitama: August 30, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $409 in Saitama 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 793% higher in Saitama, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $31.00 in Saitama versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $278 vs $293 – making Saitama 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
Saitama vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Saitama?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 42%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,475 per month in Saitama and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Saitama, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What are total monthly expenses in Saitama and in Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $983 in Saitama and $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $633 per month in Saitama and $487 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Saitama or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Saitama, where all-in costs run around $983, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. In Saitama it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Saitama or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Saitama – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Saitama or 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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Saitama. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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