😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $942 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,585 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,637 in Denpasar, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,763 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,331 in Denpasar, Bali.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 49% more expensive than in Denpasar, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 5% above, Denpasar, Bali is 29% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45Rp 62.1K
$2.38Rp 42.8K
44.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34Rp 581.1K
$21.21Rp 381.2K
52.48%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.84Rp 87.1K
$3.39Rp 61.0K
42.77%
Cappuccino
$2.75Rp 49.4K
$1.87Rp 33.6K
47.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38Rp 24.9K
$0.86Rp 15.5K
60.47%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75Rp 13.5K
$0.49Rp 8,825
53.06%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.99Rp 53.8K
$2.02Rp 36.3K
48.02%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85Rp 69.2K
$2.54Rp 45.7K
51.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74Rp 31.2K
$1.42Rp 25.5K
22.54%
White Bread(500g)
$2.46Rp 44.2K
$2.07Rp 37.2K
18.84%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17Rp 21.0K
$0.99Rp 17.9K
18.18%
Eggs
$2.43Rp 43.7K
$1.96Rp 35.2K
23.98%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.50Rp 260.6K
$11.90Rp 213.8K
21.85%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.35Rp 78.2K
$3.50Rp 62.9K
24.29%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.98Rp 215.3K
$9.90Rp 177.9K
21.01%
Apples(1kg)
$3.72Rp 66.8K
$3.12Rp 56.1K
19.23%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63Rp 29.2K
$1.29Rp 23.3K
26.36%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.74Rp 49.3K
$2.28Rp 41.0K
20.18%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24Rp 40.3K
$1.83Rp 32.9K
22.40%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92Rp 34.5K
$1.55Rp 27.9K
23.87%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.9K
$1.85Rp 33.2K
23.24%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06Rp 19.1K
$0.82Rp 14.7K
29.27%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72Rp 12.9K
$0.62Rp 11.2K
16.13%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29Rp 59.0K
$2.65Rp 47.6K
24.15%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.19Rp 416.8K
$18.39Rp 330.6K
26.10%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 49.9K
$2.35Rp 42.3K
18.30%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73Rp 49.1K
$2.24Rp 40.2K
21.87%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,786
$0.26Rp 4,703
3.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.11Rp 145.7K
$7.41Rp 133.2K
9.45%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,675
$0.44Rp 7,871
9.09%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42Rp 7,545
$0.38Rp 6,863
10.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.22Rp 111.8K
$5.43Rp 97.6K
14.55%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.6K
$0.72Rp 12.9K
12.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KRp 478.2M
$23.1KRp 414.3M
15.44%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2KRp 578.5M
$28.6KRp 513.4M
12.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$78.4Rp 1.4M
$72.9Rp 1.3M
7.51%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07Rp 73.1K
$3.72Rp 66.9K
9.41%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33Rp 437.1K
$21.15Rp 380.1K
15.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$98.6Rp 1.8M
$68.2Rp 1.2M
44.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34Rp 113.9K
$4.71Rp 84.6K
34.61%
Cinema Ticket
$3.99Rp 71.6K
$2.81Rp 50.6K
41.99%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305Rp 5.5M
$233Rp 4.2M
30.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,642Rp 119.4M
$5,136Rp 92.3M
29.32%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1Rp 972.9K
$46.35Rp 832.9K
16.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81Rp 679.4K
$32.50Rp 584.0K
16.34%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.8Rp 1.6M
$75.6Rp 1.4M
14.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4Rp 1.4M
$65.5Rp 1.2M
16.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$992Rp 17.8M
$528Rp 9.5M
87.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$673Rp 12.1M
$356Rp 6.4M
89.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,375Rp 60.7M
$1,791Rp 32.2M
88.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,050Rp 36.8M
$1,090Rp 19.6M
88.18%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,805Rp 50.4M
$1,415Rp 25.4M
98.25%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,227Rp 40.0M
$1,164Rp 20.9M
91.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Denpasar, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$167Rp 3.0M
$278Rp 5.0M
-39.85%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
13.28
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Last update for Denpasar, Bali: July 13, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $992 in Ubud, Bali and $528 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Denpasar, Bali pays 66% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $21.00 in Denpasar, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $243 per month, with Denpasar, 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 Denpasar, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Denpasar, Bali?
Ubud, Bali and Denpasar, Bali differ by about 49% in total monthly costs ($1,408 vs $942 including rent). Denpasar, Bali 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 66% lower in Denpasar, Bali. 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $528 in Denpasar, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Denpasar, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $942 in Denpasar, Bali – a 49% 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 Denpasar, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Denpasar, Bali runs roughly 9% 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 $942 in Denpasar, Bali versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Denpasar, Bali but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Denpasar, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Denpasar, Bali?
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 Denpasar, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Denpasar, Bali 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 Denpasar, Bali?
Expats usually find Denpasar, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 49% less than in Ubud, Bali. 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