😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,210 in Sioux City, IA versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,281 in Sioux City, IA versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $4,351 in Sioux City, IA versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Sioux City, IA is roughly 58% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Sioux City, IA61% above, Ubud, Bali2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.14$20.14
$3.37Rp 59.7K
497.63%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$55.0$55.0
$38.59Rp 682.4K
42.50%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$10.79$10.79
$5.52Rp 97.6K
95.47%
Cappuccino
$6.01$6.01
$2.64Rp 46.8K
127.65%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.17$2.17
$1.67Rp 29.6K
29.94%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79$1.79
$0.77Rp 13.6K
132.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.11$5.11
$2.63Rp 46.6K
94.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.92$5.92
$4.28Rp 75.7K
38.32%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.87$0.87
$1.55Rp 27.3K
-43.87%
White Bread(500g)
$2.86$2.86
$2.22Rp 39.3K
28.83%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.34$3.34
$1.13Rp 19.9K
195.58%
Eggs
$3.71$3.71
$2.09Rp 36.9K
77.51%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.10$8.10
$17.39Rp 307.6K
-53.42%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$7.61$7.61
$3.87Rp 68.4K
96.64%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.22$17.22
$12.55Rp 221.9K
37.21%
Apples(1kg)
$4.79$4.79
$3.62Rp 63.9K
32.32%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56$1.56
$1.56Rp 27.6K
-
Oranges(1kg)
$4.19$4.19
$2.35Rp 41.6K
78.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.16$4.16
$2.06Rp 36.4K
101.94%
Potato(1kg)
$1.95$1.95
$1.90Rp 33.6K
2.63%
Onion(1kg)
$4.67$4.67
$2.34Rp 41.3K
99.57%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.31$2.31
$1.03Rp 18.2K
124.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.16$2.16
$0.55Rp 9,809
292.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$8.78$8.78
$2.25Rp 39.8K
290.22%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.22$15.22
$23.81Rp 421.0K
-36.08%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.69$1.69
$2.31Rp 40.9K
-26.84%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07$3.07
$2.80Rp 49.5K
9.64%
🚌 Getting Around
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.76$1.76
$0.27Rp 4,816
551.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$47.94$47.94
$8.66Rp 153.2K
453.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.98$1.98
$0.48Rp 8,515
312.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.22$1.22
$0.45Rp 7,887
171.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$19.81$19.81
$5.72Rp 101.1K
246.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.88$0.88
$0.76Rp 13.4K
15.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$36.0K$36.0K
$24.5KRp 433.0M
47.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.1K$25.1K
$32.1KRp 568.0M
-21.74%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$166$166
$83.6Rp 1.5M
98.42%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$54.0$54.0
$6.46Rp 114.2K
735.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$70.5$70.5
$18.99Rp 335.9K
271.09%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$99.9$99.9
$56.0Rp 989.8K
78.43%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$19.88$19.88
$18.62Rp 329.2K
6.77%
Cinema Ticket
$14.74$14.74
$4.28Rp 75.7K
244.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$1,096$1,096
$487Rp 8.6M
125.22%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.9K$11.9K
$5,856Rp 103.6M
103.04%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.71$42.71
$45.56Rp 805.6K
-6.26%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$21.41$21.41
$36.38Rp 643.3K
-41.15%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$78.7$78.7
$82.0Rp 1.4M
-3.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$89.8$89.8
$80.4Rp 1.4M
11.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$948$948
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-15.06%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$938$938
$701Rp 12.4M
33.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,478$1,478
$3,537Rp 62.5M
-58.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,732$1,732
$1,762Rp 31.2M
-1.75%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,549$1,549
$2,826Rp 50.0M
-45.21%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,547$1,547
$2,292Rp 40.5M
-32.49%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Sioux City, IA
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,513$3,513
$170Rp 3.0M
1969.31%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.03
13.78
-56.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Sioux City, IA: August 29, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $948 in Sioux City, IA and $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Sioux City, IA pays 1969% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $55.0 in Sioux City, IA vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $346 vs $293 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.
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
Sioux City, IA vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Sioux City, IA and in Ubud, Bali?
Sioux City, IA and Ubud, Bali differ by about 58% in total monthly costs ($2,210 vs $1,396 including rent). Ubud, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Sioux City, IA or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 1969% higher in Sioux City, IA, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Sioux City, IA and in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $948 in Sioux City, IA versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Sioux City, IA and in Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Ubud, Bali runs roughly 454% less than in Sioux City, IA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Sioux City, IA and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $1,096 in Sioux City, IA versus $487 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,396 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,210 in Sioux City, IA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Sioux City, IA. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Sioux City, IA and Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Sioux City, IA or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Sioux City, IA and Ubud, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Sioux City, IA or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 58% less than in Sioux City, IA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Sioux City, IA vs other spots: cost of living compared