Cost of Living Comparison Between San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $706 per month in San Cristobal vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,131 per month in San Cristobal vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,555 per month in San Cristobal vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

San Cristobal is about 49% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

San Cristobal sits 49% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.05 VES 4,052
$3.37 Rp 59.9K
49.85%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$30.06 VES 24.1K
$38.59 Rp 685.5K
-22.10%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.97 VES 8,805
$5.52 Rp 98.1K
98.73%
Cappuccino
$1.53 VES 1,231
$2.64 Rp 47.0K
-42.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.91 VES 728
$1.67 Rp 29.7K
-45.51%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74 VES 593
$0.77 Rp 13.7K
-3.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.17 VES 941
$2.63 Rp 46.8K
-55.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.72 VES 1,379
$4.28 Rp 76.1K
-59.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.37 VES 1,097
$1.55 Rp 27.5K
-11.61%
White Bread (500g)
$1.03 VES 825
$2.22 Rp 39.5K
-53.60%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.15 VES 925
$1.13 Rp 20.0K
1.77%
Eggs
$2.34 VES 1,875
$2.09 Rp 37.1K
11.96%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$5.98 VES 4,801
$17.39 Rp 309.0K
-65.61%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.92 VES 3,951
$3.87 Rp 68.7K
27.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.68 VES 5,366
$12.55 Rp 222.9K
-46.77%
Apples (1kg)
$9.96 VES 8,000
$3.62 Rp 64.2K
175.14%
Banana (1kg)
-
$1.56 Rp 27.7K
-
Oranges (1kg)
$1.94 VES 1,560
$2.35 Rp 41.8K
-17.45%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.02 VES 818
$2.06 Rp 36.5K
-50.49%
Potato (1kg)
$0.99 VES 794
$1.90 Rp 33.7K
-47.89%
Onion (1kg)
$0.97 VES 782
$2.34 Rp 41.5K
-58.55%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.49 VES 393
$1.03 Rp 18.3K
-52.43%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.93 VES 1,547
$0.55 Rp 9,854
250.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.01 VES 2,420
$2.25 Rp 40.0K
33.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$9.86 VES 7,913
$23.81 Rp 422.9K
-58.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.59 VES 473
$2.31 Rp 41.1K
-74.46%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.57 VES 461
$2.80 Rp 49.8K
-79.64%
🚌 Getting Around
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.61 VES 491
$0.27 Rp 4,839
125.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.66 Rp 153.9K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$2.12 VES 1,699
$0.48 Rp 8,554
341.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$2.52 VES 2,022
$0.45 Rp 7,924
460.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.44 VES 4,367
$5.72 Rp 101.6K
-4.90%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.52 VES 416
$0.76 Rp 13.5K
-31.58%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$29.9K VES 24.0M
$24.5K Rp 434.9M
22.09%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.5K VES 26.9M
$32.1K Rp 570.6M
4.24%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$23.23 VES 18.7K
$83.6 Rp 1.5M
-72.20%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.44 VES 8,382
$6.46 Rp 114.7K
61.61%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$30.39 VES 24.4K
$18.99 Rp 337.4K
60.03%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$19.68 VES 15.8K
$56.0 Rp 994.4K
-64.84%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.78 VES 11.9K
$18.62 Rp 330.7K
-20.62%
Cinema Ticket
$4.09 VES 3,284
$4.28 Rp 76.1K
-4.44%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$66.7 VES 53.5K
$487 Rp 8.6M
-86.30%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$5,856 Rp 104.0M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$27.81 VES 22.3K
$45.56 Rp 809.3K
-38.96%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$20.30 VES 16.3K
$36.38 Rp 646.3K
-44.20%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$111 VES 89.5K
$82.0 Rp 1.5M
36.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.6 VES 72.7K
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
12.66%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$202 VES 162.2K
$1,117 Rp 19.8M
-81.91%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$147 VES 118.2K
$701 Rp 12.5M
-78.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$313 VES 251.0K
$3,537 Rp 62.8M
-91.16%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$236 VES 189.2K
$1,762 Rp 31.3M
-86.63%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$526 VES 422.1K
$2,826 Rp 50.2M
-81.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$407 VES 326.6K
$2,292 Rp 40.7M
-82.25%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Cristobal
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$203 VES 163.2K
$170 Rp 3.0M
19.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
22
13.78
59.65%

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

Last update for San Cristobal: August 29, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $202 in San Cristobal 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 20% higher in San Cristobal, 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 $30.00 in San Cristobal versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $217 vs $293 – making San Cristobal 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
San Cristobal vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in San Cristobal and in Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $706 in San Cristobal, $1,396 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 98% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in San Cristobal compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,059 per month in San Cristobal and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Cristobal, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: San Cristobal or Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $706 in San Cristobal and $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
What is the difference in childcare costs between San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $66.7 per month in San Cristobal and $487 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in San Cristobal, where all-in costs run around $706, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. In San Cristobal 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 San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $706 in San Cristobal to $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is San Cristobal 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 San Cristobal and Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with San Cristobal. 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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