Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Ambato

For one person, living is cheaper in Ambato: $605 a month against $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,368
/mo nomad
Ambato
🇪🇨 Ecuador
$605
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Ambato

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ubud, Bali and in Ambato actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $605 in Ambato, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,368
  • Ambato $605

A couple spends around $2,314 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $985 in Ambato, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,314
  • Ambato $985

A family of three spends $3,260 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,364 in Ambato, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,260
  • Ambato $1,364

Ubud, Bali costs about 126% more than Ambato, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Ubud, Bali sits 1% above the global median, while Ambato is 55% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.33 Rp 59.9K
$3.46 $3.46
-3.76%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.18 Rp 633.2K
$29.93 $29.93
17.54%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.80 Rp 104.5K
$5.32 $5.32
9.02%
Cappuccino
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
$2.76 $2.76
-1.09%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.64 Rp 29.5K
$0.82 $0.82
100.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
$0.75 $0.75
10.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.70 Rp 48.6K
$1.96 $1.96
37.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30 Rp 77.4K
$3.22 $3.22
33.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.50 Rp 27.1K
$0.98 $0.98
53.06%
White Bread (500g)
$2.30 Rp 41.4K
$0.98 $0.98
134.69%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
$1.57 $1.57
-24.84%
Eggs
$2.14 Rp 38.6K
$1.73 $1.73
23.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.48 Rp 314.6K
$5.42 $5.42
222.51%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.03 Rp 72.5K
$3.05 $3.05
32.13%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.23 Rp 220.1K
$3.93 $3.93
211.20%
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 Rp 63.9K
$1.27 $1.27
179.53%
Banana (1kg)
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
$0.88 $0.88
78.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
$1.03 $1.03
117.48%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.93 Rp 34.7K
$1.03 $1.03
87.38%
Potato (1kg)
$1.88 Rp 33.9K
$0.77 $0.77
144.16%
Onion (1kg)
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
$0.99 $0.99
131.31%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
$0.73 $0.73
35.62%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 Rp 9,475
$1.03 $1.03
-48.54%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
$5.15 $5.15
-55.73%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.01 Rp 414.2K
$8.78 $8.78
162.07%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 Rp 42.2K
$1.45 $1.45
61.38%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.91 Rp 52.4K
$2.81 $2.81
3.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 Rp 4,315
$0.29 $0.29
-17.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.82 Rp 158.7K
$14.21 $14.21
-37.93%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,684
$1.39 $1.39
-65.47%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.46 Rp 8,233
$1.12 $1.12
-58.93%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.45 Rp 98.2K
$9.43 $9.43
-42.21%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.88 Rp 15.9K
$0.86 $0.86
2.33%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 442.2M
$23.3K $23.3K
5.29%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.2K Rp 561.4M
$28.1K $28.1K
10.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$83.0 Rp 1.5M
$39.20 $39.20
111.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.45 Rp 116.0K
$13.58 $13.58
-52.50%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.57 Rp 334.2K
$26.39 $26.39
-29.63%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.8 Rp 1.0M
$29.76 $29.76
87.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.11 Rp 326.0K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 Rp 78.9K
$4.39 $4.39
-0.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$493 Rp 8.9M
$224 $224
119.87%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,754 Rp 103.6M
$2,408 $2,408
138.93%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.19 Rp 831.4K
$48.25 $48.25
-4.27%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.33 Rp 636.0K
$35.22 $35.22
0.31%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
$71.2 $71.2
11.10%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
$55.5 $55.5
41.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,142 Rp 20.6M
$178 $178
540.73%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$676 Rp 12.2M
$124 $124
443.78%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,503 Rp 63.1M
$380 $380
821.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,700 Rp 30.6M
$273 $273
523.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 50.1M
$1,130 $1,130
146.29%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
$884 $884
153.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Ambato
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
$679 $679
-75.78%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
9
53.11%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 11, 2026

Last update for Ambato: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$676
Ambato
$124 81.6% $551
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$290
Ambato
$147 49.4% $143
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$109
Ambato
$99 8.8% $9.6
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$108
Ambato
$79 26.7% $29
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$108
Ambato
$95 12.1% $13
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$65
Ambato
$39 40.3% $26
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$13
Ambato
$22 78% $9.8

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,142 in Ubud, Bali versus $178 in Ambato. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 313% higher in Ambato, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $30.00 in Ambato. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $290 vs $147 – making Ambato the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇪🇨 Ambato
🕒 Local time
13:31 1:31 PM
00:31 12:31 AM
13 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
165,185
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 20, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Ambato 18,130 km ≈ 23 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Ambato

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Ambato: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Ambato?
Ubud, Bali costs about 126% more than Ambato, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in Ambato?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,051 per month in Ubud, Bali and $908 in Ambato. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Ambato?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ambato, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do dining costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Ambato?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Ubud, Bali and $30.00 in Ambato. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Ambato?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,368 in Ubud, Bali and $605 in Ambato. That's a gap of about 126%.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Ambato?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ambato, where all-in costs run around $605, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Ambato it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Ambato?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ambato costs $605 versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Ambato?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or to Ambato?
If budget matters most, go with Ambato. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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