Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Big Bend Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Big Bend

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $715 in Big Bend, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,348 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,405 in Big Bend, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,095 in Big Bend, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 91% more than Big Bend, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Ubud, Bali sits 0% above the global median, while Big Bend is 48% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.44 Rp 60.9K
$4.02 SZL 65.8
-14.43%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.31 Rp 643.0K
$27.27 SZL 446
33.15%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.71 Rp 101.0K
$5.07 SZL 83.0
12.62%
Cappuccino
$2.67 Rp 47.3K
$1.52 SZL 24.87
75.66%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 31.0K
$0.71 SZL 11.68
146.48%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 Rp 15.4K
$0.42 SZL 6.87
107.14%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 Rp 52.3K
$1.56 SZL 25.52
89.10%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 Rp 80.0K
$1.66 SZL 27.25
172.29%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
$1.21 SZL 19.73
33.88%
White Bread (500g)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$0.90 SZL 14.77
158.89%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 19.6K
$1.57 SZL 25.63
-29.30%
Eggs
$2.20 Rp 39.0K
$4.63 SZL 75.8
-52.48%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.69 Rp 313.3K
$18.11 SZL 296
-2.32%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.10 Rp 72.5K
$12.51 SZL 205
-67.23%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 215.6K
$4.93 SZL 80.7
147.06%
Apples (1kg)
$3.71 Rp 65.6K
$4.24 SZL 69.4
-12.50%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 Rp 28.1K
$0.64 SZL 10.49
148.44%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.4K
$1.81 SZL 29.66
25.97%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.95 Rp 34.6K
$1.26 SZL 20.69
54.76%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 33.7K
$2.52 SZL 41.17
-24.21%
Onion (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$2.20 SZL 35.97
5.91%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 17.8K
$0.94 SZL 15.31
7.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 Rp 9,773
$0.89 SZL 14.52
-38.20%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23 Rp 39.5K
$6.01 SZL 98.4
-62.90%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.07 Rp 408.6K
$3.65 SZL 59.7
532.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 Rp 42.8K
$0.60 SZL 9.76
303.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 Rp 53.1K
$0.88 SZL 14.37
240.91%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,814
$1.20 SZL 19.71
-77.50%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.98 Rp 159.1K
$24.33 SZL 398
-63.09%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,566
$1.87 SZL 30.56
-74.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,679
$1.57 SZL 25.73
-72.61%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.64 Rp 99.9K
$3.63 SZL 59.5
55.37%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.13 SZL 18.50
-29.20%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K Rp 441.7M
$12.5K SZL 205.0K
99.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 561.5M
$18.5K SZL 303.0K
71.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.5 Rp 1.4M
$128 SZL 2,097
-36.43%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 115.0K
$24.27 SZL 397
-73.26%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.77 Rp 332.4K
$24.73 SZL 405
-24.10%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 Rp 1.0M
$18.65 SZL 305
204.93%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.73 Rp 331.7K
$2.40 SZL 39.33
680.42%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54 Rp 80.4K
$3.06 SZL 50.0
48.37%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$481 Rp 8.5M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,711 Rp 101.1M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.52 Rp 806.0K
$37.10 SZL 607
22.70%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.88 Rp 635.4K
$24.81 SZL 406
44.62%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
$36.19 SZL 592
122.13%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7 Rp 1.4M
$54.4 SZL 890
44.69%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,115 Rp 19.7M
$110 SZL 1,796
915.61%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 Rp 12.4M
$74.7 SZL 1,222
834.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,637 Rp 64.4M
$1,096 SZL 17.9K
231.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,737 Rp 30.8M
$746 SZL 12.2K
132.72%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 49.3M
$203 SZL 3,319
1272.87%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,290 Rp 40.5M
$143 SZL 2,343
1499.52%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Big Bend
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$168 Rp 3.0M
$793 SZL 13.0K
-78.82%
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: September 14, 2026

Last update for Big Bend: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,115 in Ubud, Bali versus $110 in Big Bend. 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 372% higher in Big Bend, 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 $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $27.00 in Big Bend. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $295 vs $255 – making Big Bend 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 Big Bend: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in Big Bend compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, $715 in Big Bend – roughly 91% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Big Bend?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,052 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,072 in Big Bend. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Big Bend?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Big Bend, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Big Bend?
Public transport costs about 171% less in Big Bend. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 16% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Big Bend, where all-in costs run around $715, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Big Bend it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Big Bend?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $715 in Big Bend to $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Big Bend safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Ubud, Bali and Big Bend?
If budget matters most, go with Big Bend. 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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