Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Chico, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Chico, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,626 in Chico, CA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,585 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,963 in Chico, CA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,763 in Ubud, Bali versus $5,299 in Chico, CA.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 46% less than in Chico, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 5% above, Chico, CA 97% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
$25.21 $25.21
-86.31%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 Rp 581.1K
$60.9 $60.9
-46.91%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 Rp 87.1K
$13.20 $13.20
-63.33%
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rp 49.4K
$5.89 $5.89
-53.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.9K
$2.49 $2.49
-44.58%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
$2.17 $2.17
-65.44%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 Rp 53.8K
$7.16 $7.16
-58.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
$8.65 $8.65
-55.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 Rp 31.2K
$1.34 $1.34
29.85%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 44.2K
$3.70 $3.70
-33.51%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
$3.50 $3.50
-66.57%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 43.7K
$5.61 $5.61
-56.68%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 260.6K
$13.33 $13.33
8.78%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.35 Rp 78.2K
$10.60 $10.60
-58.96%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.98 Rp 215.3K
$16.75 $16.75
-28.48%
Apples (1kg)
$3.72 Rp 66.8K
$5.53 $5.53
-32.73%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
$2.23 $2.23
-26.91%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.3K
$3.80 $3.80
-27.89%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
$5.58 $5.58
-59.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 Rp 34.5K
$4.61 $4.61
-58.35%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.9K
$3.50 $3.50
-34.86%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
$2.20 $2.20
-51.82%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$2.29 $2.29
-68.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 Rp 59.0K
$7.79 $7.79
-57.77%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 416.8K
$11.84 $11.84
95.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
$1.69 $1.69
64.50%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
$5.43 $5.43
-49.72%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,786
$2.91 $2.91
-90.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
$34.53 $34.53
-76.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,675
$3.54 $3.54
-86.44%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,545
$2.04 $2.04
-79.41%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 Rp 111.8K
$40.34 $40.34
-84.58%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$1.27 $1.27
-36.22%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 478.2M
$23.7K $23.7K
12.34%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K Rp 578.5M
$24.4K $24.4K
31.89%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
$192 $192
-59.27%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
$53.2 $53.2
-92.35%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 Rp 437.1K
$70.5 $70.5
-65.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
$62.1 $62.1
58.87%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34 Rp 113.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.99 Rp 71.6K
$13.74 $13.74
-70.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 Rp 5.5M
$1,834 $1,834
-83.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,642 Rp 119.4M
$37.3K $37.3K
-82.21%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 Rp 972.9K
$58.5 $58.5
-7.47%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81 Rp 679.4K
$31.30 $31.30
20.80%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
$78.7 $78.7
10.39%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
$98.1 $98.1
-22.15%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$992 Rp 17.8M
$1,459 $1,459
-32.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$673 Rp 12.1M
$1,192 $1,192
-43.56%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,375 Rp 60.7M
$2,755 $2,755
22.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
$2,294 $2,294
-10.62%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,805 Rp 50.4M
$3,245 $3,245
-13.58%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,227 Rp 40.0M
$2,971 $2,971
-25.04%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Chico, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 3.0M
$3,857 $3,857
-95.67%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.55
102.75%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Chico, CA: July 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $992 in Ubud, Bali and $1,459 in Chico, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Chico, CA pays 2210% 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: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $61.0 in Chico, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $414 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 Chico, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chico, CA cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Getting Around. The 87% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ubud, Bali or Chico, CA?
On paper, salaries run 2210% lower in Chico, CA. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Ubud, Bali and Chico, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,459 in Chico, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or in Chico, CA?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $61.0 in Chico, CA. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
What are total monthly expenses in Ubud, Bali and in Chico, CA?
All in, you'll spend $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $2,626 in Chico, CA – a 87% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Ubud, Bali or in Chico, CA?
At $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,626 in Chico, CA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Chico, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Ubud, Bali or Chico, CA more family-friendly?
For families, Ubud, Bali is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Chico, CA, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or Chico, CA?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Chico, CA 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 87% less than in Chico, CA. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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