🙂A single person spends $693 per month in Samarinda vs $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,065 per month in Samarinda vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $1,438 per month in Samarinda vs $3,732 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Samarinda is about 52% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.
📊Samarinda sits 48% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 7% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.57Rp 27.1K
$3.57Rp 61.6K
-56.02%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.53Rp 216.3K
$32.58Rp 562.6K
-61.54%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.74Rp 99.1K
$5.07Rp 87.5K
13.21%
Cappuccino
$1.73Rp 29.9K
$2.83Rp 48.8K
-38.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53Rp 9,222
$1.34Rp 23.1K
-60.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38Rp 6,568
$0.69Rp 12.0K
-44.93%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.49Rp 43.0K
$2.99Rp 51.6K
-16.72%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.51Rp 60.6K
$3.85Rp 66.4K
-8.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22Rp 21.1K
$1.74Rp 30.1K
-29.89%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99Rp 17.1K
$2.54Rp 43.8K
-61.02%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.79Rp 13.6K
$1.19Rp 20.6K
-33.61%
Eggs
$1.53Rp 26.4K
$2.43Rp 41.9K
-37.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.04Rp 138.9K
$14.66Rp 253.2K
-45.16%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.98Rp 68.7K
$4.18Rp 72.1K
-4.78%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.79Rp 186.4K
$11.94Rp 206.1K
-9.63%
Apples(1kg)
$5.64Rp 97.4K
$3.69Rp 63.6K
52.85%
Banana(1kg)
$1.22Rp 21.0K
$1.61Rp 27.7K
-24.22%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.20Rp 20.8K
$2.69Rp 46.4K
-55.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.57Rp 27.1K
$2.33Rp 40.2K
-32.62%
Potato(1kg)
$1.44Rp 24.9K
$1.91Rp 32.9K
-24.61%
Onion(1kg)
$1.98Rp 34.1K
$2.19Rp 37.7K
-9.59%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.95Rp 16.4K
$1.06Rp 18.3K
-10.38%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61Rp 10.5K
$0.72Rp 12.5K
-15.28%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18Rp 37.6K
$3.13Rp 54.1K
-30.35%
Wine(Bottle)
$21.90Rp 378.1K
$23.49Rp 405.6K
-6.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.05Rp 35.4K
$2.74Rp 47.3K
-25.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.12Rp 53.8K
$2.88Rp 49.7K
8.33%
🚌 Getting Around
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.32Rp 5,554
$0.29Rp 5,010
10.34%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$9.65Rp 166.6K
$8.17Rp 141.0K
18.12%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.89Rp 15.3K
$0.45Rp 7,834
97.78%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.35Rp 6,028
$0.42Rp 7,278
-16.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.84Rp 49.0K
$6.16Rp 106.3K
-53.90%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.59Rp 10.2K
$0.84Rp 14.5K
-29.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3KRp 420.3M
$26.2KRp 453.1M
-7.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.5KRp 474.2M
$32.5KRp 560.8M
-15.45%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$69.3Rp 1.2M
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-11.67%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.18Rp 72.1K
$3.95Rp 68.2K
5.82%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.79Rp 393.5K
$24.40Rp 421.4K
-6.60%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$23.00Rp 397.2K
$96.5Rp 1.7M
-76.18%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.97Rp 103.2K
$6.35Rp 109.6K
-5.98%
Cinema Ticket
$3.11Rp 53.7K
$4.04Rp 69.7K
-23.02%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$92.0Rp 1.6M
$303Rp 5.2M
-69.60%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$7,437Rp 128.4M
$6,523Rp 112.6M
14.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.08Rp 726.5K
$53.8Rp 929.5K
-21.84%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.65Rp 529.2K
$37.98Rp 655.8K
-19.30%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$66.5Rp 1.1M
$86.8Rp 1.5M
-23.34%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$74.3Rp 1.3M
$78.9Rp 1.4M
-5.78%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$262Rp 4.5M
$1,012Rp 17.5M
-74.15%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$156Rp 2.7M
$674Rp 11.6M
-76.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$584Rp 10.1M
$3,390Rp 58.5M
-82.77%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$329Rp 5.7M
$2,098Rp 36.2M
-84.32%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,140Rp 19.7M
$2,985Rp 51.5M
-61.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$877Rp 15.1M
$2,339Rp 40.4M
-62.51%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Samarinda
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$343Rp 5.9M
$173Rp 3.0M
98.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
9.15
13.28
-31.10%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Samarinda: April 27, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $262 in Samarinda 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 98% higher in Samarinda, 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 $13.00 in Samarinda versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $236 vs $298 – making Samarinda 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
Samarinda vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Samarinda and Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $693 in Samarinda, $1,438 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 108% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Samarinda compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,039 per month in Samarinda and $2,158 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Samarinda and Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Samarinda, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $13.00 in Samarinda 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 expensive overall: Samarinda or Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $693 in Samarinda and $1,438 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Samarinda, where all-in costs run around $693, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,438. In Samarinda 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 Samarinda and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $693 in Samarinda to $1,438 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Samarinda 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 Samarinda and Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Samarinda. 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.