Cost of Living Comparison Between Setia Alam and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Setia Alam and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $918 per month in Setia Alam vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,395 per month in Setia Alam vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,872 per month in Setia Alam vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Setia Alam is about 35% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Setia Alam sits 31% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.58 MYR 18.74
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
32.75%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.80 MYR 97.4
$32.34 Rp 581.1K
-26.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.68 MYR 19.15
$4.84 Rp 87.1K
-3.31%
Cappuccino
$2.98 MYR 12.20
$2.75 Rp 49.4K
8.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84 MYR 3.42
$1.38 Rp 24.9K
-39.13%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 MYR 1.50
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-50.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.33 MYR 17.70
$2.99 Rp 53.8K
44.82%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.02 MYR 24.63
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
56.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.75 MYR 7.15
$1.74 Rp 31.2K
0.57%
White Bread (500g)
$0.70 MYR 2.86
$2.46 Rp 44.2K
-71.54%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.98 MYR 4.02
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
-16.24%
Eggs
$1.65 MYR 6.75
$2.43 Rp 43.7K
-32.10%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.78 MYR 19.56
$14.50 Rp 260.6K
-67.03%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.99 MYR 16.33
$4.35 Rp 78.2K
-8.28%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.52 MYR 38.95
$11.98 Rp 215.3K
-20.53%
Apples (1kg)
$1.33 MYR 5.44
$3.72 Rp 66.8K
-64.25%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 MYR 6.42
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
-3.68%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.34 MYR 5.46
$2.74 Rp 49.3K
-51.09%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.39 MYR 5.68
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
-37.95%
Potato (1kg)
$1.22 MYR 5.00
$1.92 Rp 34.5K
-36.46%
Onion (1kg)
$1.33 MYR 5.42
$2.28 Rp 40.9K
-41.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.57 MYR 2.34
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-46.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 MYR 2.17
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-26.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.21 MYR 17.23
$3.29 Rp 59.0K
27.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.11 MYR 78.2
$23.19 Rp 416.8K
-17.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.21 MYR 13.14
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
15.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.21 MYR 17.24
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
54.21%
🚌 Getting Around
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.73 MYR 2.98
$0.27 Rp 4,786
170.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.72 MYR 47.92
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
44.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.17 MYR 4.78
$0.48 Rp 8,675
143.75%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.10 MYR 4.51
$0.42 Rp 7,545
161.90%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.62 MYR 18.89
$6.22 Rp 111.8K
-25.72%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.50 MYR 2.05
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-38.27%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.6K MYR 166.0K
$26.6K Rp 478.2M
52.53%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K MYR 131.6K
$32.2K Rp 578.5M
-0.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$59.1 MYR 242
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-24.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.73 MYR 43.87
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
163.64%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.60 MYR 105
$24.33 Rp 437.1K
5.22%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$54.8 MYR 224
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-44.44%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.38 MYR 9.73
$6.34 Rp 113.9K
-62.46%
Cinema Ticket
$5.04 MYR 20.62
$3.99 Rp 71.6K
26.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$196 MYR 800
$305 Rp 5.5M
-35.89%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,524 MYR 39.0K
$6,642 Rp 119.4M
43.39%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$59.7 MYR 244
$54.1 Rp 972.9K
10.33%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.82 MYR 102
$37.81 Rp 679.4K
-34.36%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.1 MYR 352
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-0.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$53.8 MYR 220
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-29.60%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$495 MYR 2,026
$992 Rp 17.8M
-50.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$305 MYR 1,247
$673 Rp 12.1M
-54.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$837 MYR 3,422
$3,375 Rp 60.7M
-75.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$534 MYR 2,185
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-73.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,029 MYR 8,300
$2,805 Rp 50.4M
-27.65%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,175 MYR 4,806
$2,227 Rp 40.0M
-47.24%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,149 MYR 4,698
$167 Rp 3.0M
587.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
4.12
13.28
-68.98%

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

Last update for Setia Alam: July 12, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $495 in Setia Alam versus $992 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 588% higher in Setia Alam, 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 $24.00 in Setia Alam versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $204 vs $297 – making Setia Alam 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
Setia Alam vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Setia Alam or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 53% more than Setia Alam, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Setia Alam and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,377 per month in Setia Alam and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Setia Alam or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Setia Alam, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How expensive is transport in Setia Alam compared to Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 45% less in Setia Alam. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Setia Alam and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $196 per month in Setia Alam and $305 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Setia Alam or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Setia Alam, where all-in costs run around $918, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Setia Alam it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Setia Alam or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Setia Alam costs $918 versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Setia Alam compared to Ubud, Bali?
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.
Should I move to Setia Alam or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Setia Alam. 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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