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