🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $773 in Tema versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,223 in Tema versus $2,334 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,673 in Tema versus $3,273 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Tema costs roughly 45% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Tema is 44% below, Ubud, Bali is 2% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.17GHS 81.0
$3.37Rp 59.7K
112.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$28.28GHS 320
$38.59Rp 682.4K
-26.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.52Rp 97.6K
-
Cappuccino
$5.21GHS 58.9
$2.64Rp 46.8K
97.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.92GHS 10.34
$1.67Rp 29.6K
-44.91%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31GHS 3.52
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-59.74%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.42GHS 38.62
$2.63Rp 46.6K
30.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72GHS 30.68
$4.28Rp 75.7K
-36.45%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$3.40GHS 38.44
$1.55Rp 27.3K
119.35%
White Bread(500g)
$1.65GHS 18.69
$2.22Rp 39.3K
-25.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.12GHS 23.99
$1.13Rp 19.9K
87.61%
Eggs
$2.44GHS 27.57
$2.09Rp 36.9K
16.75%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.52GHS 51.1
$17.39Rp 307.6K
-74.01%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.31GHS 37.35
$3.87Rp 68.4K
-14.47%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.49GHS 39.39
$12.55Rp 221.9K
-72.19%
Apples(1kg)
$2.60GHS 29.38
$3.62Rp 63.9K
-28.18%
Banana(1kg)
$2.25GHS 25.42
$1.56Rp 27.6K
44.23%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.24GHS 25.26
$2.35Rp 41.6K
-4.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$3.59GHS 40.57
$2.06Rp 36.4K
74.27%
Potato(1kg)
$3.62GHS 40.93
$1.90Rp 33.6K
90.53%
Onion(1kg)
$2.93GHS 33.05
$2.34Rp 41.3K
25.21%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.42GHS 4.79
$1.03Rp 18.2K
-59.22%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.74GHS 8.37
$0.55Rp 9,809
34.55%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.31GHS 14.76
$2.25Rp 39.8K
-41.78%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.77GHS 99.1
$23.81Rp 421.0K
-63.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.28GHS 25.78
$2.31Rp 40.9K
-1.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.19GHS 36.01
$2.80Rp 49.5K
13.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.75GHS 19.79
$0.27Rp 4,816
548.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$43.36GHS 490
$8.66Rp 153.2K
400.69%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.26GHS 25.57
$0.48Rp 8,515
370.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42GHS 4.78
$0.45Rp 7,887
-6.67%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.72Rp 101.1K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.17GHS 13.16
$0.76Rp 13.4K
53.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.5KRp 433.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.1KRp 568.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8GHS 913
$83.6Rp 1.5M
-3.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.84GHS 179
$6.46Rp 114.2K
145.20%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$85.2GHS 963
$18.99Rp 335.9K
348.87%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$24.86GHS 281
$56.0Rp 989.8K
-55.58%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.62Rp 329.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$8.86GHS 100
$4.28Rp 75.7K
107.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$177GHS 2,005
$487Rp 8.6M
-63.53%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$2,686GHS 30.4K
$5,856Rp 103.6M
-54.13%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$13.47GHS 152
$45.56Rp 805.6K
-70.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$16.06GHS 181
$36.38Rp 643.3K
-55.85%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$44.07GHS 498
$82.0Rp 1.4M
-46.23%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$32.93GHS 372
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-59.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$135GHS 1,531
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-87.87%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$73.4GHS 829
$701Rp 12.4M
-89.53%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$441GHS 4,988
$3,537Rp 62.5M
-87.52%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$219GHS 2,471
$1,762Rp 31.2M
-87.59%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$9,991GHS 112.9K
$2,826Rp 50.0M
253.52%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$6,102GHS 69.0K
$2,292Rp 40.5M
166.26%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tema
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$429GHS 4,847
$170Rp 3.0M
152.66%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
35
13.78
153.99%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Tema: August 30, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $135 in Tema and $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Tema pays 153% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $28.00 in Tema vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $225 vs $293 per month, with Tema 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
Tema vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Tema or Ubud, Bali?
Tema wins on cost – living expenses run 81% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Tema the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Tema or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 153% higher in Tema, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Tema compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $135 in Tema versus $1,117 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Tema and in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Tema – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Tema compared to Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $773 per month in Tema versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali – a 81% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Tema or in Ubud, Bali?
At $773 in Tema versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Tema but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Tema the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Tema or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Tema delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $773 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Tema hard to pass up.
How safe is Tema compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Tema 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Tema gentler on the wallet – expenses run 81% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.