😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,396 in Ubud, Bali versus $829 in Al Mukalla.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,334 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,663 in Al Mukalla.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,273 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,498 in Al Mukalla.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 68% more expensive than in Al Mukalla, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 2% above, Al Mukalla is 40% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.37Rp 59.7K
$16.67YER 3,946
-79.78%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$38.59Rp 682.4K
$85.8YER 20.3K
-55.04%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.52Rp 97.6K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.64Rp 46.8K
$8.53YER 2,020
-69.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.67Rp 29.6K
-
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77Rp 13.6K
$0.82YER 195
-6.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.63Rp 46.6K
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.28Rp 75.7K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.55Rp 27.3K
-
-
White Bread(500g)
$2.22Rp 39.3K
-
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.13Rp 19.9K
-
-
Eggs
$2.09Rp 36.9K
$10.65YER 2,521
-80.38%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$17.39Rp 307.6K
$14.47YER 3,426
20.18%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.87Rp 68.4K
$26.13YER 6,184
-85.19%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.55Rp 221.9K
$60.1YER 14.2K
-79.11%
Apples(1kg)
$3.62Rp 63.9K
$14.94YER 3,538
-75.77%
Banana(1kg)
$1.56Rp 27.6K
$6.17YER 1,461
-74.72%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.35Rp 41.6K
$5.09YER 1,205
-53.83%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.06Rp 36.4K
$3.39YER 802
-39.23%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90Rp 33.6K
$7.55YER 1,787
-74.83%
Onion(1kg)
$2.34Rp 41.3K
$4.17YER 987
-43.88%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03Rp 18.2K
-
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55Rp 9,809
$2.49YER 590
-77.91%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.25Rp 39.8K
-
-
Wine(Bottle)
$23.81Rp 421.0K
-
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.31Rp 40.9K
-
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.80Rp 49.5K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,816
-
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.66Rp 153.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,515
-
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.45Rp 7,887
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.72Rp 101.1K
-
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.76Rp 13.4K
-
-
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
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$83.6Rp 1.5M
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.46Rp 114.2K
-
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.99Rp 335.9K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$56.0Rp 989.8K
-
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.62Rp 329.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.28Rp 75.7K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$487Rp 8.6M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,856Rp 103.6M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.56Rp 805.6K
-
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.38Rp 643.3K
-
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$82.0Rp 1.4M
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$701Rp 12.4M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,537Rp 62.5M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,762Rp 31.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,826Rp 50.0M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,292Rp 40.5M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Al Mukalla
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$170Rp 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.78
0
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Last update for Al Mukalla: August 29, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $39.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $86.0 in Al Mukalla for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $607 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
Ubud, Bali vs Al Mukalla: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Al Mukalla cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Al Mukalla is cheaper overall, especially in Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 68% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $2,095 in Ubud, Bali and $1,243 in Al Mukalla 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 food prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Al Mukalla?
Shoppers in Ubud, Bali pay roughly 107% less for everyday groceries. It's an unusual reversal that partly offsets higher costs elsewhere.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or in Al Mukalla?
Dining out is cheaper in Al Mukalla – a meal for two runs $86.0 versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Ubud, Bali or in Al Mukalla?
At $829 in Al Mukalla versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Al Mukalla but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Al Mukalla the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Ubud, Bali or Al Mukalla more family-friendly?
For families, Al Mukalla is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or Al Mukalla?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Al Mukalla 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Al Mukalla gentler on the wallet – expenses run 68% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared