🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $809 in Skudai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,238 in Skudai versus $2,582 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,667 in Skudai versus $3,757 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Living in Skudai costs roughly 43% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Skudai is 40% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.47MYR 13.71
$3.42Rp 58.7K
1.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$18.65MYR 73.7
$32.96Rp 566.5K
-43.42%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.66MYR 18.40
$5.08Rp 87.3K
-8.27%
Cappuccino
$2.98MYR 11.77
$2.82Rp 48.5K
5.67%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73MYR 2.89
$1.37Rp 23.5K
-46.72%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.37MYR 1.46
$0.71Rp 12.2K
-47.89%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.50MYR 13.84
$2.97Rp 51.0K
17.85%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.92MYR 19.43
$3.91Rp 67.2K
25.83%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.87MYR 7.40
$1.75Rp 30.0K
6.86%
White Bread(500g)
$0.98MYR 3.88
$2.52Rp 43.2K
-61.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.25MYR 4.95
$1.21Rp 20.8K
3.31%
Eggs
$1.88MYR 7.41
$2.33Rp 40.1K
-19.31%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.54MYR 41.65
$14.50Rp 249.2K
-27.31%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.55MYR 14.01
$4.36Rp 74.9K
-18.58%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.36MYR 33.02
$12.05Rp 207.0K
-30.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.77MYR 10.96
$3.82Rp 65.6K
-27.49%
Banana(1kg)
$1.51MYR 5.97
$1.61Rp 27.7K
-6.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.50MYR 9.87
$2.70Rp 46.5K
-7.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.20MYR 4.74
$2.23Rp 38.3K
-46.19%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19MYR 4.71
$1.90Rp 32.6K
-37.37%
Onion(1kg)
$1.35MYR 5.32
$2.18Rp 37.5K
-38.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.89MYR 3.50
$1.03Rp 17.7K
-13.59%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51MYR 2.03
$0.77Rp 13.3K
-33.77%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.32MYR 17.08
$3.18Rp 54.7K
35.85%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.38MYR 56.8
$23.23Rp 399.2K
-38.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.73MYR 10.79
$2.85Rp 48.9K
-4.21%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94MYR 11.61
$2.72Rp 46.7K
8.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74MYR 2.91
$0.29Rp 5,022
155.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$11.95MYR 47.21
$8.43Rp 144.8K
41.76%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.01MYR 3.99
$0.49Rp 8,344
106.12%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.99MYR 3.93
$0.45Rp 7,812
120.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.51MYR 37.55
$6.28Rp 107.8K
51.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.47MYR 1.85
$0.85Rp 14.6K
-44.71%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$31.5KMYR 124.4K
$26.1KRp 447.8M
20.87%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.6KMYR 109.1K
$31.5KRp 541.8M
-12.37%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$40.65MYR 161
$79.8Rp 1.4M
-49.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.35MYR 36.95
$4.09Rp 70.3K
128.61%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.69MYR 89.6
$24.06Rp 413.6K
-5.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$36.95MYR 146
$96.2Rp 1.7M
-61.59%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.99MYR 23.68
$6.53Rp 112.2K
-8.27%
Cinema Ticket
$5.08MYR 20.05
$4.13Rp 71.1K
23.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$190MYR 750
$297Rp 5.1M
-36.03%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,814MYR 26.9K
$6,661Rp 114.5M
2.30%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.26MYR 195
$55.0Rp 944.5K
-10.37%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$18.59MYR 73.5
$38.75Rp 666.0K
-52.03%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$60.1MYR 237
$89.6Rp 1.5M
-32.94%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$47.05MYR 186
$78.9Rp 1.4M
-40.37%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$386MYR 1,527
$1,018Rp 17.5M
-62.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$271MYR 1,071
$660Rp 11.3M
-58.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$635MYR 2,507
$3,435Rp 59.0M
-81.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$473MYR 1,868
$2,053Rp 35.3M
-76.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,753MYR 6,923
$2,981Rp 51.2M
-41.20%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$880MYR 3,477
$2,368Rp 40.7M
-62.82%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$172Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.07
13.28
-69.35%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Skudai: April 21, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $386 in Skudai and $1,018 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $19 in Skudai vs $33 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $219 vs $299 per month, with Skudai 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
Skudai vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Skudai and Ubud, Bali?
Skudai and Ubud, Bali differ by about 74% in total monthly costs ($809 vs $1,408 including rent). Skudai is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
What salary covers living expenses in Skudai compared to Ubud, Bali?
You'd need roughly $1,213 in Skudai and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
How do apartment prices compare in Skudai and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $386 in Skudai versus $1,018 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Skudai or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $809 per month in Skudai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – a 74% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Skudai and Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Skudai runs roughly 42% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $809 in Skudai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Skudai but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Skudai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Skudai 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 Skudai or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Skudai 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: Skudai or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Skudai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 74% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.