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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,317 per month in San Miguel vs $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,956 per month in San Miguel vs $2,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,595 per month in San Miguel vs $3,275 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

San Miguel is about 4% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

San Miguel sits 5% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.88 $3.88
$3.33 Rp 58.7K
16.52%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$24.99 $24.99
$35.82 Rp 630.7K
-30.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$6.88 $6.88
$5.63 Rp 99.1K
22.20%
Cappuccino
$2.91 $2.91
$2.82 Rp 49.7K
3.19%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 $0.77
$1.75 Rp 30.8K
-56.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 $0.63
$0.80 Rp 14.0K
-21.25%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.02 $2.02
$3.04 Rp 53.6K
-33.55%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.45 $3.45
$4.30 Rp 75.7K
-19.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.78 $1.78
$1.61 Rp 28.3K
10.56%
White Bread (500g)
$2.89 $2.89
$2.27 Rp 39.9K
27.31%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.39 $1.39
$1.17 Rp 20.6K
18.80%
Eggs
$3.12 $3.12
$2.17 Rp 38.2K
43.78%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$7.80 $7.80
$17.63 Rp 310.5K
-55.76%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.94 $6.94
$4.05 Rp 71.4K
71.36%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$10.14 $10.14
$12.18 Rp 214.5K
-16.75%
Apples (1kg)
$4.92 $4.92
$3.62 Rp 63.7K
35.91%
Banana (1kg)
$1.47 $1.47
$1.64 Rp 28.8K
-10.37%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$2.31 Rp 40.6K
29.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$3.41 $3.41
$1.96 Rp 34.5K
73.98%
Potato (1kg)
$3.00 $3.00
$1.84 Rp 32.5K
63.04%
Onion (1kg)
$3.37 $3.37
$2.37 Rp 41.7K
42.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 $1.02
$1.05 Rp 18.5K
-2.86%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.00 $1.00
$0.54 Rp 9,560
85.19%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.95 $3.95
$2.30 Rp 40.6K
71.74%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.77 $11.77
$23.08 Rp 406.4K
-49.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.23 $2.23
$2.34 Rp 41.2K
-4.70%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 $2.86
$3.07 Rp 54.0K
-6.84%
🚌 Getting Around
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.34 $0.34
$0.25 Rp 4,365
36.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$27.08 $27.08
$9.42 Rp 165.9K
187.47%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.88 $5.88
$0.49 Rp 8,631
1100.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.02 $3.02
$0.47 Rp 8,349
542.55%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$9.91 $9.91
$5.60 Rp 98.6K
76.96%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.20 $1.20
$0.81 Rp 14.2K
48.15%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.2K $25.2K
$25.0K Rp 440.3M
0.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6K $27.6K
$31.1K Rp 547.0M
-11.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$129 $129
$82.7 Rp 1.5M
55.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$20.88 $20.88
$6.49 Rp 114.2K
221.73%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$42.07 $42.07
$18.79 Rp 330.8K
123.90%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.58 $28.58
$55.2 Rp 972.6K
-48.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.95 $21.95
$18.21 Rp 320.6K
20.54%
Cinema Ticket
$4.98 $4.98
$4.30 Rp 75.7K
15.81%
🧸 Childcare & Education
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$160 $160
$494 Rp 8.7M
-67.68%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$4,354 $4,354
$5,917 Rp 104.2M
-26.41%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$65.0 $65.0
$46.28 Rp 814.8K
40.43%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$46.20 $46.20
$36.44 Rp 641.6K
26.78%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$116 $116
$80.7 Rp 1.4M
44.26%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$116 $116
$78.8 Rp 1.4M
47.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$704 $704
$1,114 Rp 19.6M
-36.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$500 $500
$693 Rp 12.2M
-27.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$977 $977
$3,639 Rp 64.1M
-73.14%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$815 $815
$1,712 Rp 30.1M
-52.43%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,383 $1,383
$2,761 Rp 48.6M
-49.90%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$968 $968
$2,293 Rp 40.4M
-57.78%
💵 Salaries & Financials
San Miguel
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$384 $384
$167 Rp 2.9M
129.75%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
8.5
13.78
-38.32%

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

Last update for San Miguel: September 8, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $704 in San Miguel versus $1,114 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 130% higher in San Miguel, 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 $25.00 in San Miguel versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $294 – making San Miguel 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 Miguel vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in San Miguel and in Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,317 in San Miguel, $1,378 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 5% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in San Miguel compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,975 per month in San Miguel and $2,067 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 Miguel and Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in San Miguel, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in San Miguel and in Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 187% less in San Miguel. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between San Miguel and Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $160 per month in San Miguel and $494 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 Miguel, where all-in costs run around $1,317, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,378. In San Miguel 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 Miguel and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,317 in San Miguel to $1,378 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is San Miguel 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 Miguel and Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with San Miguel. 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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