Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Bellingham, WA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Bellingham, WA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,794 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,582 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,183 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,757 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $5,572 in Bellingham, WA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 50% cheaper than Bellingham, WA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and Bellingham, WA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 5%, Bellingham, WA by 109%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.42 Rp 58.7K
$20.12 $20.12
-83.00%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96 Rp 566.5K
$86.5 $86.5
-61.90%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.08 Rp 87.3K
$13.16 $13.16
-61.40%
Cappuccino
$2.82 Rp 48.5K
$5.20 $5.20
-45.77%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37 Rp 23.5K
$2.53 $2.53
-45.85%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 Rp 12.2K
$2.01 $2.01
-64.68%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.97 Rp 51.0K
$7.01 $7.01
-57.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91 Rp 67.2K
$5.88 $5.88
-33.50%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.75 Rp 30.0K
$1.00 $1.00
75.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.52 Rp 43.2K
$3.66 $3.66
-31.15%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.21 Rp 20.8K
$4.23 $4.23
-71.39%
Eggs
$2.33 Rp 40.1K
$4.34 $4.34
-46.31%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 249.2K
$17.09 $17.09
-15.16%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.36 Rp 74.9K
$15.77 $15.77
-72.35%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.05 Rp 207.0K
$15.20 $15.20
-20.72%
Apples (1kg)
$3.82 Rp 65.6K
$5.79 $5.79
-34.02%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 Rp 27.7K
$1.56 $1.56
3.21%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.70 Rp 46.5K
$4.27 $4.27
-36.77%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 38.3K
$5.22 $5.22
-57.28%
Potato (1kg)
$1.90 Rp 32.6K
$2.93 $2.93
-35.15%
Onion (1kg)
$2.18 Rp 37.5K
$2.19 $2.19
-0.46%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.03 Rp 17.7K
$2.09 $2.09
-50.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77 Rp 13.3K
$2.53 $2.53
-69.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18 Rp 54.7K
$12.44 $12.44
-74.44%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.23 Rp 399.2K
$15.27 $15.27
52.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.85 Rp 48.9K
$1.76 $1.76
61.93%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72 Rp 46.7K
$4.79 $4.79
-43.22%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.29 Rp 5,022
$0.98 $0.98
-70.41%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.43 Rp 144.8K
$30.34 $30.34
-72.21%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.49 Rp 8,344
$9.90 $9.90
-95.05%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 Rp 7,812
$1.72 $1.72
-73.84%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.28 Rp 107.8K
$53.1 $53.1
-88.16%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.85 Rp 14.6K
$1.16 $1.16
-26.72%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K Rp 447.8M
$34.4K $34.4K
-24.21%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5K Rp 541.8M
$26.0K $26.0K
21.33%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.8 Rp 1.4M
$180 $180
-55.62%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09 Rp 70.3K
$52.3 $52.3
-92.17%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.06 Rp 413.6K
$74.8 $74.8
-67.83%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$96.2 Rp 1.7M
$68.1 $68.1
41.29%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.53 Rp 112.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.13 Rp 71.1K
$18.35 $18.35
-77.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$297 Rp 5.1M
$1,445 $1,445
-79.46%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,661 Rp 114.5M
$23.8K $23.8K
-71.96%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0 Rp 944.5K
$52.2 $52.2
5.25%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.75 Rp 666.0K
$27.95 $27.95
38.64%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.6 Rp 1.5M
$96.7 $96.7
-7.31%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 Rp 1.4M
$149 $149
-46.93%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,018 Rp 17.5M
$1,697 $1,697
-39.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$660 Rp 11.3M
$1,441 $1,441
-54.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,435 Rp 59.0M
$2,732 $2,732
25.76%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,053 Rp 35.3M
$2,448 $2,448
-16.12%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,981 Rp 51.2M
$3,994 $3,994
-25.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,368 Rp 40.7M
$4,075 $4,075
-41.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Bellingham, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$172 Rp 3.0M
$4,156 $4,156
-95.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.61
100.91%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 21, 2026

Last update for Bellingham, WA: April 20, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,018 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,697 in Bellingham, WA. 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 2315% higher in Bellingham, WA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Ubud, Bali versus $87 in Bellingham, WA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $299 vs $439 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Bellingham, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Bellingham, WA?
Bellingham, WA costs about 98% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 vs Bellingham, WA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $4,191 in Bellingham, WA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Bellingham, WA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and Bellingham, WA?
Kindergarten costs $297 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,445 in Bellingham, WA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or Bellingham, WA?
Groceries cost about 47% more in Bellingham, WA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Bellingham, WA?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,408, than in Bellingham, WA at $2,794. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Bellingham, WA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Bellingham, WA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,408 versus $2,794 in Bellingham, WA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Bellingham, WA?
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 Bellingham, WA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Bellingham, WA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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