Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and El Congo Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and El Congo

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $579 in El Congo, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $601 in El Congo, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $622 in El Congo, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 143% more than El Congo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Ubud, Bali sits 5% above the global median, while El Congo is 57% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.45 Rp 62.0K

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.34 Rp 580.1K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.84 Rp 86.9K

Cappuccino

$2.75 Rp 49.3K

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

$1.38 Rp 24.8K

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.75 Rp 13.5K

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.99 Rp 53.7K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.85 Rp 69.1K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.74 Rp 31.1K

White Bread (500g)

$2.46 Rp 44.1K

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 Rp 21.0K

Eggs

$2.43 Rp 43.6K

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.50 Rp 260.2K

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.35 Rp 78.0K

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$11.98 Rp 214.9K

Apples (1kg)

$3.72 Rp 66.7K

Banana (1kg)

$1.63 Rp 29.2K

Oranges (1kg)

$2.74 Rp 49.2K

Tomato (1kg)

$2.24 Rp 40.2K

Potato (1kg)

$1.92 Rp 34.4K

Onion (1kg)

$2.28 Rp 40.8K

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.06 Rp 19.1K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.72 Rp 12.9K

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.29 Rp 58.9K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.19 Rp 416.1K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.78 Rp 49.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.73 Rp 49.0K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,778

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.11 Rp 145.4K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 Rp 8,659

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.42 Rp 7,532

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.22 Rp 111.6K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 Rp 14.6K

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

$26.6K Rp 477.4M

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

$32.2K Rp 577.4M

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

$78.4 Rp 1.4M

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

$4.07 Rp 73.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$24.33 Rp 436.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.6 Rp 1.8M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.34 Rp 113.7K

Cinema Ticket

$3.99 Rp 71.5K

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

$305 Rp 5.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,642 Rp 119.2M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$54.1 Rp 971.2K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$37.81 Rp 678.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.8 Rp 1.6M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.4 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$992 Rp 17.8M

$728 $728

36.21%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$673 Rp 12.1M

$561 $561

19.86%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,375 Rp 60.5M

$957 $957

252.55%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,050 Rp 36.8M

$629 $629

226.04%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,805 Rp 50.3M

$4,251 $4,251

-34.02%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,227 Rp 39.9M

$1,266 $1,266

75.84%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 Rp 3.0M

$960 $960

-82.60%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

5.72

132.17%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for El Congo: July 12, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $728 in El Congo. 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 475% higher in El Congo, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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 Congo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Monthly costs with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, $579 in El Congo – roughly 143% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $868 in El Congo. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in El Congo, where all-in costs run around $579, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In El Congo it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $579 in El Congo to $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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 El Congo. 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.