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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,419 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $997 in David, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,540 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,168 in David, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,338 in David, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 42% more than David, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.

Ubud, Bali sits 6% above the global median, while David is 26% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.56 Rp 63.7K
$5.04 PAB 5.04
-29.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.73 Rp 584.5K
$36.52 PAB 36.52
-10.38%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.95 Rp 88.4K
$6.81 PAB 6.81
-27.31%
Cappuccino
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
$2.66 PAB 2.66
1.88%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 Rp 24.0K
$1.41 PAB 1.41
-4.96%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
$1.38 PAB 1.38
-49.28%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.92 Rp 52.1K
$1.46 PAB 1.46
100.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 Rp 70.7K
$2.20 PAB 2.20
80.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 Rp 32.3K
$1.80 PAB 1.80
0.56%
White Bread (500g)
$2.52 Rp 45.0K
$2.14 PAB 2.14
17.76%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.16 Rp 20.7K
$2.48 PAB 2.48
-53.23%
Eggs
$2.46 Rp 43.9K
$2.04 PAB 2.04
20.59%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.71 Rp 262.7K
$5.41 PAB 5.41
171.90%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.32 Rp 77.1K
$11.11 PAB 11.11
-61.12%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.14 Rp 216.7K
$2.87 PAB 2.87
323.00%
Apples (1kg)
$3.84 Rp 68.6K
$7.94 PAB 7.94
-51.64%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 Rp 27.8K
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 Rp 50.6K
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.5K
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.20 Rp 39.3K
$2.65 PAB 2.65
-16.98%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
$1.35 PAB 1.35
-25.19%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
$2.52 PAB 2.52
-69.05%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32 Rp 59.2K
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$23.74 Rp 423.9K
$9.81 PAB 9.81
142.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 Rp 49.8K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 Rp 51.1K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,800
$0.78 PAB 0.78
-65.38%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.03 Rp 143.4K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.46 Rp 8,150
$3.02 PAB 3.02
-84.77%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 Rp 8,037
$1.94 PAB 1.94
-76.80%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.10 Rp 108.9K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
$1.01 PAB 1.01
-21.78%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K Rp 467.0M
$24.8K PAB 24.8K
5.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K Rp 573.6M
$30.6K PAB 30.6K
5.07%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
$174 PAB 174
-53.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.06 Rp 72.6K
$27.59 PAB 27.59
-85.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52 Rp 420.0K
$42.92 PAB 42.92
-45.20%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
$30.56 PAB 30.56
222.97%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.63 Rp 118.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.15 Rp 74.1K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$304 Rp 5.4M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,613 Rp 118.1M
$5,892 PAB 5,892
12.25%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5 Rp 991.8K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.31 Rp 684.1K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
$346 PAB 346
191.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$675 Rp 12.1M
$351 PAB 351
92.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,442 Rp 61.5M
-
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,039 Rp 36.4M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,841 Rp 50.7M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,264 Rp 40.4M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
David
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
$591 PAB 591
-72.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
7
89.71%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Last update for David: June 2, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,006 in Ubud, Bali versus $346 in David. 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 258% higher in David, 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 $33.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $37.00 in David. Groceries tell a different story – $302 in Ubud, Bali vs $238 in David – so David wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 David: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is David cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 42%, and the gap shows up most in Clothing & Footwear. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,129 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,495 in David. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in David, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Ubud, Bali and David?
Groceries cost about 27% 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.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or David?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali and $37.00 in David. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ubud, Bali or David?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in David, where all-in costs run around $997, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In David it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Ubud, Bali or David more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward David – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or David?
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.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with David. 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.

Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

Similar cities