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 $1,334 per month in Salwa vs $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,230 per month in Salwa vs $2,549 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,126 per month in Salwa vs $3,694 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Salwa is about 5% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Salwa sits 1% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.55 KWD 2.93
$3.57 Rp 64.0K
167.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$65.9 KWD 20.25
$32.50 Rp 582.3K
102.86%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.50 KWD 2.00
$4.86 Rp 87.1K
33.74%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.47 KWD 0.76
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.67 KWD 1.13
-
-
Cappuccino
$5.97 KWD 1.83
$2.75 Rp 49.2K
117.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48 KWD 0.15
$1.32 Rp 23.7K
-63.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31 KWD 0.10
$0.70 Rp 12.6K
-55.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.91 Rp 52.2K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.79 Rp 68.0K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.58 KWD 0.49
$1.71 Rp 30.6K
-7.60%
White Bread (500g)
$0.75 KWD 0.23
$2.47 Rp 44.3K
-69.64%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.85 KWD 0.26
$1.20 Rp 21.5K
-29.17%
Eggs
$1.98 KWD 0.61
$2.44 Rp 43.8K
-18.85%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.22 KWD 1.60
$14.38 Rp 257.7K
-63.70%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.53 KWD 2.01
$4.31 Rp 77.1K
51.51%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.19 KWD 3.13
$12.21 Rp 218.7K
-16.54%
Apples (1kg)
$2.37 KWD 0.73
$3.68 Rp 66.0K
-35.60%
Banana (1kg)
$1.89 KWD 0.58
$1.55 Rp 27.8K
21.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.72 KWD 0.53
$2.79 Rp 49.9K
-38.35%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.79 KWD 0.24
$2.33 Rp 41.8K
-66.09%
Potato (1kg)
$0.62 KWD 0.19
$1.97 Rp 35.3K
-68.53%
Onion (1kg)
$1.33 KWD 0.41
$2.31 Rp 41.4K
-42.42%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.63 KWD 0.50
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
53.77%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 KWD 0.15
$0.73 Rp 13.1K
-34.25%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$3.22 KWD 0.99
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06 KWD 0.32
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 KWD 0.43
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.86 KWD 0.88
$3.28 Rp 58.8K
-12.80%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$22.79 Rp 408.4K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.81 Rp 50.3K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.84 KWD 0.26
$0.29 Rp 5,217
189.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$44.56 KWD 13.69
$8.06 Rp 144.4K
452.85%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$3.29 KWD 1.01
$0.45 Rp 8,047
631.11%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.23 KWD 0.99
$0.45 Rp 8,094
617.78%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$16.58 KWD 5.09
$6.24 Rp 111.7K
165.71%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.37 KWD 0.11
$0.85 Rp 15.2K
-56.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.2K KWD 6,505
$26.0K Rp 465.4M
-18.49%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$17.9K KWD 5,486
$31.7K Rp 567.2M
-43.59%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$61.5 KWD 18.89
$80.8 Rp 1.4M
-23.83%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$18.68 KWD 5.74
$4.06 Rp 72.7K
360.10%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.15 KWD 8.03
$24.42 Rp 437.6K
7.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$93.7 KWD 28.77
$97.7 Rp 1.7M
-4.10%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$45.41 KWD 13.95
$6.45 Rp 115.5K
604.03%
Cinema Ticket
$11.32 KWD 3.48
$4.04 Rp 72.4K
180.20%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$404 KWD 124
$304 Rp 5.4M
32.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,673 KWD 2,050
$6,621 Rp 118.6M
0.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$39.04 KWD 11.99
$54.2 Rp 971.7K
-28.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.38 KWD 13.02
$38.78 Rp 694.7K
9.28%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$82.8 KWD 25.44
$86.1 Rp 1.5M
-3.84%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$64.5 KWD 19.83
$76.7 Rp 1.4M
-15.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$797 KWD 245
$986 Rp 17.7M
-19.11%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$621 KWD 191
$658 Rp 11.8M
-5.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,580 KWD 485
$3,369 Rp 60.4M
-53.11%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,313 KWD 403
$2,066 Rp 37.0M
-36.46%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,741 Rp 49.1M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,228 Rp 39.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Salwa
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$3,495 KWD 1,074
$163 Rp 2.9M
2038.47%
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: June 8, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $797 in Salwa versus $986 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 2038% 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 $297 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
How do living costs in Salwa and Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,334 in Salwa, $1,404 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 5% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Salwa compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,001 per month in Salwa and $2,106 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Salwa and Ubud, Bali?
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.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
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.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Salwa, where all-in costs run around $1,334, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,404. In Salwa it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Salwa and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,334 in Salwa to $1,404 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Salwa or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Salwa and Ubud, Bali?
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.

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