Cost of Living Comparison Between Tortola and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Tortola and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,531 in Tortola versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $4,319 in Tortola versus $2,540 in Ubud, Bali.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $6,108 in Tortola versus $3,660 in Ubud, Bali.

Living in Tortola is roughly 78% more expensive than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Tortola 89% above, Ubud, Bali 6% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$29.16 $29.16
$3.56 Rp 63.7K
719.10%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$76.0 $76.0
$32.73 Rp 584.5K
132.08%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$14.77 $14.77
$4.95 Rp 88.4K
198.38%
Cappuccino
$7.54 $7.54
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
178.23%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.80 $1.80
$1.34 Rp 24.0K
34.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37 $1.37
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
95.71%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.40 $3.40
$2.92 Rp 52.1K
16.44%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93 $3.93
$3.96 Rp 70.7K
-0.76%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.69 $2.69
$1.81 Rp 32.3K
48.62%
White Bread (500g)
$5.19 $5.19
$2.52 Rp 45.0K
105.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$6.91 $6.91
$1.16 Rp 20.7K
495.69%
Eggs
$7.37 $7.37
$2.46 Rp 43.9K
199.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$12.83 $12.83
$14.71 Rp 262.7K
-12.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$13.11 $13.11
$4.32 Rp 77.1K
203.47%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$20.38 $20.38
$12.14 Rp 216.7K
67.87%
Apples (1kg)
$3.28 $3.28
$3.84 Rp 68.6K
-14.58%
Banana (1kg)
$3.95 $3.95
$1.56 Rp 27.8K
153.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.03 $2.03
$2.83 Rp 50.6K
-28.27%
Tomato (1kg)
$7.41 $7.41
$2.33 Rp 41.5K
218.03%
Potato (1kg)
$5.95 $5.95
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
211.52%
Onion (1kg)
$4.86 $4.86
$2.20 Rp 39.3K
120.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$11.89 $11.89
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
1077.23%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$4.92 $4.92
$3.32 Rp 59.2K
48.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$11.09 $11.09
$23.74 Rp 423.9K
-53.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$4.04 $4.04
$2.79 Rp 49.8K
44.80%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.86 Rp 51.1K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.27 Rp 4,800
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.03 Rp 143.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.46 Rp 8,150
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.45 Rp 8,037
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$6.10 Rp 108.9K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.1K Rp 467.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.1K Rp 573.6M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$127 $127
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
59.29%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$101 $101
$4.06 Rp 72.6K
2377.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$115 $115
$23.52 Rp 420.0K
387.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$120 $120
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
21.13%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.63 Rp 118.4K
-
Cinema Ticket
$14.72 $14.72
$4.15 Rp 74.1K
254.70%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$304 Rp 5.4M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$6,613 Rp 118.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$55.5 Rp 991.8K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$38.31 Rp 684.1K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$181 $181
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
103.92%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$111 $111
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
42.87%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,241 $1,241
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
23.26%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,019 $1,019
$675 Rp 12.1M
50.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,972 $2,972
$3,442 Rp 61.5M
-13.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,791 $2,791
$2,039 Rp 36.4M
36.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,841 Rp 50.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$10.6K $10.6K
$2,264 Rp 40.4M
366.80%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Tortola
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,790 $1,790
$165 Rp 3.0M
983.55%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.5
13.28
-58.58%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Tortola: June 2, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,241 in Tortola and $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Tortola pays 984% 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: $76.0 in Tortola vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $504 vs $302 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
Tortola vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Tortola and Ubud, Bali?
Tortola and Ubud, Bali differ by about 78% in total monthly costs ($2,531 vs $1,419 including rent). Ubud, Bali is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Tortola or Ubud, Bali?
Tortola pays 984% more on average, 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 Tortola and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,241 in Tortola versus $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $76.0 in Tortola. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Tortola or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $2,531 per month in Tortola versus $1,419 in Ubud, Bali – a 78% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,419 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,531 in Tortola, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Tortola. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Tortola 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 Tortola or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Tortola 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: Tortola or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 78% less than in Tortola. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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