Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and El Cajon, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and El Cajon, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,247 in El Cajon, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,582 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $5,005 in El Cajon, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,757 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $6,764 in El Cajon, CA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 57% cheaper than El Cajon, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and El Cajon, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 5%, El Cajon, CA by 142%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.42 Rp 58.7K

$19.76 $19.76

-82.69%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.96 Rp 566.5K

$80.3 $80.3

-58.93%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.08 Rp 87.3K

$15.24 $15.24

-66.67%

Cappuccino

$2.82 Rp 48.5K

$5.26 $5.26

-46.39%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.37 Rp 23.5K

$3.03 $3.03

-54.79%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.71 Rp 12.2K

$2.58 $2.58

-72.48%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.97 Rp 51.0K

$7.06 $7.06

-57.93%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 Rp 67.2K

$7.96 $7.96

-50.88%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.75 Rp 30.0K

$1.18 $1.18

48.31%

White Bread (500g)

$2.52 Rp 43.2K

$4.14 $4.14

-39.13%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.21 Rp 20.8K

$4.46 $4.46

-72.87%

Eggs

$2.33 Rp 40.1K

$3.76 $3.76

-38.03%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 Rp 249.2K

$13.70 $13.70

5.84%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.36 Rp 74.9K

$16.03 $16.03

-72.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.05 Rp 207.0K

$15.27 $15.27

-21.09%

Apples (1kg)

$3.82 Rp 65.6K

$4.58 $4.58

-16.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.61 Rp 27.7K

$1.73 $1.73

-6.94%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.70 Rp 46.5K

$4.00 $4.00

-32.50%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.23 Rp 38.3K

$4.82 $4.82

-53.73%

Potato (1kg)

$1.90 Rp 32.6K

$3.08 $3.08

-38.31%

Onion (1kg)

$2.18 Rp 37.5K

$2.37 $2.37

-8.02%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.03 Rp 17.7K

$2.11 $2.11

-51.18%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.77 Rp 13.3K

$2.50 $2.50

-69.20%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.18 Rp 54.7K

$11.80 $11.80

-73.05%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.23 Rp 399.2K

$14.86 $14.86

56.33%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.85 Rp 48.9K

$1.83 $1.83

55.74%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.72 Rp 46.7K

$2.54 $2.54

7.09%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.29 Rp 5,022

$1.87 $1.87

-84.49%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.43 Rp 144.8K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.49 Rp 8,344

$3.03 $3.03

-83.83%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 Rp 7,812

$1.66 $1.66

-72.89%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.28 Rp 107.8K

$27.54 $27.54

-77.20%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.85 Rp 14.6K

$1.25 $1.25

-32.00%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.1K Rp 447.8M

$25.2K $25.2K

3.50%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31.5K Rp 541.8M

$27.0K $27.0K

16.62%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$79.8 Rp 1.4M

$156 $156

-49.00%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.09 Rp 70.3K

$54.9 $54.9

-92.55%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.06 Rp 413.6K

$70.7 $70.7

-65.96%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$96.2 Rp 1.7M

$42.68 $42.68

125.37%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.53 Rp 112.2K

Cinema Ticket

$4.13 Rp 71.1K

$14.94 $14.94

-72.36%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$297 Rp 5.1M

$1,487 $1,487

-80.04%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,661 Rp 114.5M

$29.0K $29.0K

-77.00%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.0 Rp 944.5K

$48.19 $48.19

14.05%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.75 Rp 666.0K

$34.37 $34.37

12.74%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$89.6 Rp 1.5M

$100 $100

-10.77%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.9 Rp 1.4M

$104 $104

-23.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,018 Rp 17.5M

$2,406 $2,406

-57.68%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$660 Rp 11.3M

$2,006 $2,006

-67.11%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,435 Rp 59.0M

$2,899 $2,899

18.50%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,053 Rp 35.3M

$4,010 $4,010

-48.80%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,981 Rp 51.2M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,368 Rp 40.7M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$172 Rp 3.0M

$3,854 $3,854

-95.54%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

6.39

107.82%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 21, 2026

Last update for El Cajon, CA: April 21, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,018 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,406 in El Cajon, CA. 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 2140% higher in El Cajon, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Ubud, Bali versus $80 in El Cajon, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $299 vs $423 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 El Cajon, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – El Cajon, CA is pricier by about 131%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $4,870 in El Cajon, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali and $80.0 in El Cajon, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 42% more in El Cajon, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,408, than in El Cajon, CA at $3,247. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in El Cajon, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Ubud, Bali – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, El Cajon, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.