🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,768 in Burlington, IA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,582 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,638 in Burlington, IA.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,757 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,508 in Burlington, IA.
🙂Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 20% less than in Burlington, IA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali5% above, Burlington, IA32% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.42Rp 58.7K
$11.67$11.67
-70.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96Rp 566.5K
$60.7$60.7
-45.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.08Rp 87.3K
$8.89$8.89
-42.86%
Cappuccino
$2.82Rp 48.5K
$5.59$5.59
-49.55%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37Rp 23.5K
$1.96$1.96
-30.10%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71Rp 12.2K
$1.97$1.97
-63.96%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.97Rp 51.0K
$3.58$3.58
-17.04%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91Rp 67.2K
$4.46$4.46
-12.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75Rp 30.0K
$0.80$0.80
118.75%
White Bread(500g)
$2.52Rp 43.2K
$2.51$2.51
0.40%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21Rp 20.8K
$7.92$7.92
-84.72%
Eggs
$2.33Rp 40.1K
$2.95$2.95
-21.02%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.50Rp 249.2K
$14.87$14.87
-2.49%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.36Rp 74.9K
$12.97$12.97
-66.38%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.05Rp 207.0K
$15.24$15.24
-20.93%
Apples(1kg)
$3.82Rp 65.6K
$5.01$5.01
-23.75%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61Rp 27.7K
$1.87$1.87
-13.90%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.70Rp 46.5K
$4.89$4.89
-44.79%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23Rp 38.3K
$4.98$4.98
-55.22%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90Rp 32.6K
$3.00$3.00
-36.67%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18Rp 37.5K
$2.44$2.44
-10.66%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03Rp 17.7K
$1.85$1.85
-44.32%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77Rp 13.3K
$2.41$2.41
-68.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18Rp 54.7K
$8.85$8.85
-64.07%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.23Rp 399.2K
$11.87$11.87
95.70%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.85Rp 48.9K
$1.75$1.75
62.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72Rp 46.7K
$3.96$3.96
-31.31%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,022
$1.67$1.67
-82.63%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.43Rp 144.8K
$20.89$20.89
-59.65%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rp 8,344
$3.59$3.59
-86.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.45Rp 7,812
$1.67$1.67
-73.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.28Rp 107.8K
$29.30$29.30
-78.57%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85Rp 14.6K
$0.94$0.94
-9.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1KRp 447.8M
$23.4K$23.4K
11.20%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KRp 541.8M
$24.2K$24.2K
30.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.8Rp 1.4M
$171$171
-53.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09Rp 70.3K
$51.6$51.6
-92.07%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.06Rp 413.6K
$52.1$52.1
-53.84%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$96.2Rp 1.7M
$50.7$50.7
89.65%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.53Rp 112.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.13Rp 71.1K
$10.87$10.87
-62.01%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$297Rp 5.1M
$720$720
-58.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,661Rp 114.5M
$23.6K$23.6K
-71.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0Rp 944.5K
$43.38$43.38
26.69%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.75Rp 666.0K
$30.84$30.84
25.65%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.6Rp 1.5M
$66.5$66.5
34.73%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9Rp 1.4M
$37.57$37.57
110.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,018Rp 17.5M
$634$634
60.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$660Rp 11.3M
$664$664
-0.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,435Rp 59.0M
$1,064$1,064
222.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,053Rp 35.3M
$1,169$1,169
75.68%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,981Rp 51.2M
$1,030$1,030
189.26%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,368Rp 40.7M
$1,036$1,036
128.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Burlington, IA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$172Rp 3.0M
$4,311$4,311
-96.01%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
6.52
103.68%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 21, 2026
Last update for Burlington, IA: April 19, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,018 in Ubud, Bali and $634 in Burlington, IA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Burlington, IA pays 2405% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $33 in Ubud, Bali vs $61 in Burlington, IA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $299 vs $403 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 Burlington, IA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Burlington, IA?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 26% lower than in Burlington, IA. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ubud, Bali or Burlington, IA?
On paper, Burlington, IA earns 2405% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ubud, Bali vs Burlington, IA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,018 in Ubud, Bali versus $634 in Burlington, IA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and Burlington, IA?
Childcare runs $297 in Ubud, Bali versus $720 in Burlington, IA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or Burlington, IA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 35% higher in Burlington, IA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Burlington, IA?
At $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,768 in Burlington, IA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Burlington, IA. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Burlington, IA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,408 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Burlington, IA?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Burlington, IA 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 26% less than in Burlington, IA. 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