🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $928 in Skudai versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,343 in Skudai versus $2,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,757 in Skudai versus $3,275 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Skudai costs roughly 33% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Skudai is 33% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.75MYR 15.21
$3.33Rp 58.7K
12.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$22.01MYR 89.3
$35.82Rp 631.0K
-38.55%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.88MYR 19.79
$5.63Rp 99.2K
-13.32%
Cappuccino
$2.87MYR 11.64
$2.82Rp 49.7K
1.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84MYR 3.42
$1.75Rp 30.8K
-52.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42MYR 1.70
$0.80Rp 14.0K
-47.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.43MYR 13.90
$3.04Rp 53.6K
12.83%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.84MYR 23.70
$4.30Rp 75.7K
35.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75MYR 7.12
$1.61Rp 28.3K
8.70%
White Bread(500g)
$1.03MYR 4.18
$2.27Rp 40.0K
-54.63%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.50MYR 6.07
$1.17Rp 20.6K
28.21%
Eggs
$1.70MYR 6.89
$2.17Rp 38.2K
-21.66%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$9.64MYR 39.10
$17.63Rp 310.6K
-45.32%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.22MYR 13.07
$4.05Rp 71.4K
-20.49%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.92MYR 40.23
$12.18Rp 214.6K
-18.56%
Apples(1kg)
$3.35MYR 13.58
$3.62Rp 63.7K
-7.46%
Banana(1kg)
$1.74MYR 7.08
$1.64Rp 28.8K
6.10%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.79MYR 11.33
$2.31Rp 40.6K
20.78%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.64MYR 6.66
$1.96Rp 34.5K
-16.33%
Potato(1kg)
$1.42MYR 5.78
$1.84Rp 32.5K
-22.83%
Onion(1kg)
$1.75MYR 7.11
$2.37Rp 41.8K
-26.16%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.32MYR 5.37
$1.05Rp 18.5K
25.71%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54MYR 2.21
$0.54Rp 9,564
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.41MYR 17.91
$2.30Rp 40.6K
91.74%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.26MYR 57.9
$23.08Rp 406.5K
-38.21%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.69MYR 10.90
$2.34Rp 41.2K
14.96%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.03MYR 12.28
$3.07Rp 54.0K
-1.30%
🚌 Getting Around
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.76MYR 3.10
$0.25Rp 4,366
204.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$12.44MYR 50.5
$9.42Rp 165.9K
32.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.23MYR 4.99
$0.49Rp 8,635
151.02%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.39MYR 1.57
$0.47Rp 8,352
-17.02%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$9.39MYR 38.11
$5.60Rp 98.7K
67.68%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.73MYR 2.95
$0.81Rp 14.2K
-9.88%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$42.7KMYR 173.1K
$25.0KRp 440.5M
70.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$33.1KMYR 134.2K
$31.1KRp 547.2M
6.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$49.43MYR 201
$82.7Rp 1.5M
-40.24%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$8.43MYR 34.20
$6.49Rp 114.3K
29.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.70MYR 108
$18.79Rp 331.0K
42.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$41.50MYR 168
$55.2Rp 973.0K
-24.87%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.56MYR 26.60
$18.21Rp 320.8K
-63.98%
Cinema Ticket
$5.08MYR 20.59
$4.30Rp 75.7K
18.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$162MYR 657
$494Rp 8.7M
-67.24%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,558MYR 18.5K
$5,917Rp 104.2M
-22.97%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$52.9MYR 214
$46.28Rp 815.2K
14.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.99MYR 68.9
$36.44Rp 641.9K
-53.38%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$79.7MYR 323
$80.7Rp 1.4M
-1.19%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.41MYR 168
$78.8Rp 1.4M
-47.45%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$427MYR 1,732
$1,114Rp 19.6M
-61.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$334MYR 1,354
$693Rp 12.2M
-51.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$692MYR 2,808
$3,639Rp 64.1M
-80.98%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$497MYR 2,014
$1,712Rp 30.2M
-71.00%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,062MYR 8,366
$2,761Rp 48.6M
-25.30%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,140MYR 4,626
$2,293Rp 40.4M
-50.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Skudai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$167Rp 2.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
4.06
13.78
-70.54%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Skudai: September 7, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $427 in Skudai and $1,114 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $22.00 in Skudai vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $230 vs $294 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Skudai and Ubud, Bali differ by about 49% in total monthly costs ($928 vs $1,378 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 $1,391 in Skudai and $2,067 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 in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $427 in Skudai versus $1,114 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 $928 per month in Skudai versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali – a 49% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Skudai and in Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Skudai runs roughly 32% 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 $928 in Skudai versus $1,378 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 49% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.