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

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,378 in Ubud, Bali versus $727 in Bucha.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,327 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,098 in Bucha.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,275 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,469 in Bucha.

Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 90% more expensive than in Bucha, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 0% above, Bucha is 47% below.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.33 Rp 58.8K
$10.29 ₴460
-67.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.82 Rp 631.6K
$22.20 ₴993
61.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.63 Rp 99.3K
$6.70 ₴299
-15.97%
Cappuccino
$2.82 Rp 49.7K
$1.16 ₴52.0
143.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 30.8K
$0.67 ₴29.80
161.19%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.80 Rp 14.1K
$0.48 ₴21.42
66.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.04 Rp 53.7K
$1.15 ₴51.5
164.35%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.30 Rp 75.8K
$1.83 ₴81.8
134.97%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.61 Rp 28.4K
$1.00 ₴44.92
61.00%
White Bread (500g)
$2.27 Rp 40.0K
$0.88 ₴39.20
157.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 20.6K
$1.27 ₴56.7
-7.87%
Eggs
$2.17 Rp 38.2K
$1.69 ₴75.6
28.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.63 Rp 310.9K
$6.51 ₴291
170.81%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.05 Rp 71.5K
$3.83 ₴171
5.74%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 214.8K
$4.82 ₴216
152.70%
Apples (1kg)
$3.62 Rp 63.8K
$1.20 ₴53.5
201.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.64 Rp 28.8K
$1.45 ₴64.9
13.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.31 Rp 40.6K
$1.66 ₴74.3
39.16%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.96 Rp 34.5K
$2.59 ₴116
-24.32%
Potato (1kg)
$1.84 Rp 32.5K
$0.66 ₴29.47
178.79%
Onion (1kg)
$2.37 Rp 41.8K
$0.49 ₴22.05
383.67%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.05 Rp 18.5K
$1.40 ₴62.8
-25.00%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.54 Rp 9,573
$0.52 ₴23.34
3.85%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.30 Rp 40.6K
$3.11 ₴139
-26.05%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.08 Rp 406.9K
$3.94 ₴176
485.79%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.34 Rp 41.2K
$0.98 ₴43.65
138.78%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.07 Rp 54.1K
$1.36 ₴60.8
125.74%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,371
$0.43 ₴19.38
-41.86%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.42 Rp 166.1K
$12.41 ₴555
-24.09%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.49 Rp 8,643
$2.10 ₴94.1
-76.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,361
$0.47 ₴21.01
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.60 Rp 98.8K
$4.34 ₴194
29.03%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.2K
$1.73 ₴77.3
-53.18%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.0K Rp 441.0M
$29.9K ₴1.3M
-16.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.1K Rp 547.7M
$22.6K ₴1.0M
37.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.7 Rp 1.5M
$96.5 ₴4,315
-14.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 114.4K
$5.83 ₴261
11.32%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.79 Rp 331.3K
$6.76 ₴302
177.96%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.2 Rp 974.0K
$26.51 ₴1,186
108.37%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.21 Rp 321.1K
$15.23 ₴681
19.57%
Cinema Ticket
$4.30 Rp 75.8K
$4.70 ₴210
-8.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$494 Rp 8.7M
$398 ₴17.8K
24.18%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,917 Rp 104.3M
$4,338 ₴194.0K
36.40%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$46.28 Rp 816.0K
$68.3 ₴3,055
-32.24%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.44 Rp 642.5K
$18.07 ₴808
101.66%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.7 Rp 1.4M
$57.3 ₴2,564
40.79%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.8 Rp 1.4M
$55.2 ₴2,470
42.73%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,114 Rp 19.6M
$204 ₴9,114
446.69%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$693 Rp 12.2M
$204 ₴9,103
240.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,639 Rp 64.2M
$461 ₴20.6K
689.40%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,712 Rp 30.2M
$303 ₴13.6K
464.80%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,761 Rp 48.7M
$1,041 ₴46.6K
165.24%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,293 Rp 40.4M
$788 ₴35.2K
191.08%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Bucha
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 2.9M
$555 ₴24.8K
-69.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
18.25
-24.49%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Last update for Bucha: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,114 in Ubud, Bali and $204 in Bucha. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bucha pays 232% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Dining out: $36.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $22.00 in Bucha for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $294 vs $148 per month, with Bucha 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 Bucha: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Bucha?
Ubud, Bali and Bucha differ by about 90% in total monthly costs ($1,378 vs $727 including rent). Bucha is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 232% lower in Bucha. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Bucha?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,114 in Ubud, Bali versus $204 in Bucha. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Bucha?
All in, you'll spend $1,378 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $727 in Bucha – a 90% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Bucha?
A monthly transit pass in Bucha runs roughly 32% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $727 in Bucha versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bucha but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Bucha the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Bucha?
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 Ubud, Bali or Bucha safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Bucha 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: Ubud, Bali or Bucha?
Expats usually find Bucha gentler on the wallet – expenses run 90% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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