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 $927 per month in Setia Alam vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,385 per month in Setia Alam vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,842 per month in Setia Alam vs $3,660 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 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.59 MYR 18.31
$3.56 Rp 63.9K
28.93%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.15 MYR 92.4
$32.73 Rp 586.8K
-29.27%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 MYR 19.32
$4.95 Rp 88.7K
-2.22%
Cappuccino
$3.13 MYR 12.50
$2.71 Rp 48.6K
15.50%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.89 MYR 3.56
$1.34 Rp 24.1K
-33.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37 MYR 1.47
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
-47.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.26 MYR 16.99
$2.92 Rp 52.3K
45.89%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$5.74 MYR 22.91
$3.96 Rp 70.9K
44.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.80 MYR 7.16
$1.81 Rp 32.4K
-0.55%
White Bread (500g)
$0.68 MYR 2.72
$2.52 Rp 45.1K
-73.02%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.98 MYR 3.91
$1.16 Rp 20.8K
-15.52%
Eggs
$1.73 MYR 6.91
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-29.67%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.62 MYR 18.44
$14.71 Rp 263.7K
-68.59%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.92 MYR 15.63
$4.32 Rp 77.4K
-9.26%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$9.45 MYR 37.69
$12.14 Rp 217.5K
-22.16%
Apples (1kg)
$1.32 MYR 5.29
$3.84 Rp 68.8K
-65.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 MYR 6.34
$1.56 Rp 27.9K
1.92%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.29 MYR 5.14
$2.83 Rp 50.8K
-54.42%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.43 MYR 5.71
$2.33 Rp 41.7K
-38.63%
Potato (1kg)
$1.23 MYR 4.93
$1.91 Rp 34.3K
-35.60%
Onion (1kg)
$1.27 MYR 5.07
$2.20 Rp 39.5K
-42.27%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.61 MYR 2.42
$1.01 Rp 18.2K
-39.60%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 MYR 2.24
$0.78 Rp 13.9K
-28.21%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.06 MYR 16.20
$3.32 Rp 59.4K
22.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$19.94 MYR 79.6
$23.74 Rp 425.5K
-16.01%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.23 MYR 12.90
$2.79 Rp 50.0K
15.77%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.27 MYR 17.05
$2.86 Rp 51.3K
49.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.73 MYR 2.89
$0.27 Rp 4,819
170.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$11.93 MYR 47.61
$8.03 Rp 143.9K
48.57%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.16 MYR 4.64
$0.46 Rp 8,181
152.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.14 MYR 4.54
$0.45 Rp 8,068
153.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$4.62 MYR 18.42
$6.10 Rp 109.3K
-24.26%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.48 MYR 1.90
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
-39.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$39.3K MYR 156.9K
$26.1K Rp 468.8M
50.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K MYR 128.6K
$32.1K Rp 575.8M
0.31%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$58.1 MYR 232
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
-27.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.59 MYR 42.26
$4.06 Rp 72.9K
160.84%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$25.89 MYR 103
$23.52 Rp 421.6K
10.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.8 MYR 223
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
-43.49%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$2.35 MYR 9.37
$6.63 Rp 118.8K
-64.56%
Cinema Ticket
$5.11 MYR 20.39
$4.15 Rp 74.3K
23.13%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$193 MYR 769
$304 Rp 5.4M
-36.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$9,575 MYR 38.2K
$6,613 Rp 118.5M
44.79%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$61.3 MYR 245
$55.5 Rp 995.6K
10.41%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$24.70 MYR 98.6
$38.31 Rp 686.7K
-35.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$84.5 MYR 337
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
-4.58%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$52.0 MYR 208
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-33.17%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$496 MYR 1,979
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
-50.71%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$309 MYR 1,233
$675 Rp 12.1M
-54.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$815 MYR 3,252
$3,442 Rp 61.7M
-76.32%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$524 MYR 2,091
$2,039 Rp 36.6M
-74.30%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,965 MYR 7,840
$2,841 Rp 50.9M
-30.84%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$991 MYR 3,955
$2,264 Rp 40.6M
-56.21%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Setia Alam
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,180 MYR 4,708
$165 Rp 3.0M
614.14%
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: June 2, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $496 in Setia Alam versus $1,006 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 614% 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 $23.00 in Setia Alam versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $206 vs $302 – 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 vs Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,390 per month in Setia Alam and $2,129 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 vs Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 49% 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 Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $193 per month in Setia Alam and $304 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 Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Setia Alam, where all-in costs run around $927, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. 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 $927 versus $1,419 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 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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