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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,346 per month in Salwa vs $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,259 per month in Salwa vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,173 per month in Salwa vs $3,732 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Salwa is about 6% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Salwa and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Salwa by 0%, Ubud, Bali by 7%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$9.64 KWD 2.96

$3.57 Rp 61.9K

170.03%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$65.9 KWD 20.24

$32.58 Rp 564.7K

102.33%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$6.70 KWD 2.06

$5.07 Rp 87.8K

32.15%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.52 KWD 0.77

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.75 KWD 1.15

Cappuccino

$5.90 KWD 1.81

$2.83 Rp 49.0K

108.48%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.51 KWD 0.16

$1.34 Rp 23.2K

-61.94%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.34 KWD 0.11

$0.69 Rp 12.0K

-50.72%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 Rp 51.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 Rp 66.7K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.57 KWD 0.48

$1.74 Rp 30.2K

-9.77%

White Bread (500g)

$0.74 KWD 0.23

$2.54 Rp 44.0K

-70.87%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.86 KWD 0.26

$1.19 Rp 20.6K

-27.73%

Eggs

$2.06 KWD 0.63

$2.43 Rp 42.0K

-15.23%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.14 KWD 1.58

$14.66 Rp 254.1K

-64.94%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$6.68 KWD 2.05

$4.18 Rp 72.4K

59.81%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$10.16 KWD 3.12

$11.94 Rp 206.9K

-14.91%

Apples (1kg)

$2.37 KWD 0.73

$3.69 Rp 63.9K

-35.77%

Banana (1kg)

$1.87 KWD 0.58

$1.61 Rp 27.8K

16.15%

Oranges (1kg)

$1.74 KWD 0.53

$2.69 Rp 46.5K

-35.32%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.79 KWD 0.24

$2.33 Rp 40.4K

-66.09%

Potato (1kg)

$0.67 KWD 0.21

$1.91 Rp 33.0K

-64.92%

Onion (1kg)

$1.27 KWD 0.39

$2.19 Rp 37.9K

-42.01%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.61 KWD 0.50

$1.06 Rp 18.3K

51.89%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 KWD 0.14

$0.72 Rp 12.5K

-36.11%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$3.23 KWD 0.99

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 KWD 0.31

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.33 KWD 0.41

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.82 KWD 0.87

$3.13 Rp 54.3K

-9.90%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.49 Rp 407.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.74 Rp 47.5K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.88 Rp 49.9K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.83 KWD 0.25

$0.29 Rp 5,029

186.21%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$44.06 KWD 13.53

$8.17 Rp 141.6K

439.29%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.19 KWD 0.98

$0.45 Rp 7,863

608.89%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$3.17 KWD 0.97

$0.42 Rp 7,305

654.76%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.21 KWD 4.98

$6.16 Rp 106.7K

163.15%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.36 KWD 0.11

$0.84 Rp 14.6K

-57.14%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.2K KWD 6,522

$26.2K Rp 454.9M

-19.05%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$18.2K KWD 5,581

$32.5K Rp 562.9M

-44.03%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$63.7 KWD 19.54

$78.4 Rp 1.4M

-18.83%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$18.54 KWD 5.69

$3.95 Rp 68.5K

369.37%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$25.57 KWD 7.85

$24.40 Rp 423.0K

4.80%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$92.9 KWD 28.51

$96.5 Rp 1.7M

-3.81%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$46.94 KWD 14.41

$6.35 Rp 110.0K

639.21%

Cinema Ticket

$11.66 KWD 3.58

$4.04 Rp 70.0K

188.61%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$399 KWD 123

$303 Rp 5.2M

31.95%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,542 KWD 2,008

$6,523 Rp 113.1M

0.30%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$38.45 KWD 11.80

$53.8 Rp 933.1K

-28.58%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.14 KWD 13.24

$37.98 Rp 658.3K

13.59%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$81.4 KWD 24.99

$86.8 Rp 1.5M

-6.19%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$65.2 KWD 20.00

$78.9 Rp 1.4M

-17.39%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$781 KWD 240

$1,012 Rp 17.5M

-22.80%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$606 KWD 186

$674 Rp 11.7M

-10.15%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,555 KWD 477

$3,390 Rp 58.8M

-54.14%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,265 KWD 388

$2,098 Rp 36.4M

-39.69%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,985 Rp 51.7M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,339 Rp 40.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,537 KWD 1,086

$173 Rp 3.0M

1942.90%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

7.14

13.28

-46.23%

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

Last update for Salwa: April 26, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $781 in Salwa versus $1,012 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 1943% higher in Salwa, 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 $66.0 in Salwa versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $165 in Salwa vs $298 in Ubud, Bali – so Salwa wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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

Salwa vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,346 in Salwa, $1,438 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 7% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,018 per month in Salwa and $2,158 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Salwa, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Groceries cost about 81% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $66.0 in Salwa and $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Salwa, where all-in costs run around $1,346, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,438. In Salwa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,346 in Salwa to $1,438 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Salwa. 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.