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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,379 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,907 in Highland, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,363 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,350 in Highland, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,347 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $5,793 in Highland, CA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 53% cheaper than Highland, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and Highland, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 1%, Highland, CA by 112%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.31 Rp 58.9K
$24.86 $24.86
-86.69%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.08 Rp 694.5K
$102 $102
-61.55%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.62 Rp 99.8K
$14.86 $14.86
-62.18%
Cappuccino
$2.64 Rp 46.9K
$5.93 $5.93
-55.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 Rp 28.2K
$3.52 $3.52
-55.11%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 Rp 12.6K
$2.78 $2.78
-74.46%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.73 Rp 48.5K
$7.98 $7.98
-65.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 Rp 76.8K
$11.93 $11.93
-63.79%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 Rp 27.4K
$1.51 $1.51
1.99%
White Bread (500g)
$2.30 Rp 40.8K
$4.20 $4.20
-45.24%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.03 Rp 18.3K
$6.96 $6.96
-85.20%
Eggs
$2.12 Rp 37.7K
$4.90 $4.90
-56.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.30 Rp 307.5K
$20.71 $20.71
-16.47%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.03 Rp 71.6K
$14.72 $14.72
-72.62%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.42 Rp 220.8K
$22.45 $22.45
-44.68%
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 Rp 65.7K
$8.47 $8.47
-56.32%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
$3.23 $3.23
-49.85%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.27 Rp 40.3K
$6.29 $6.29
-63.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.99 Rp 35.4K
$10.21 $10.21
-80.51%
Potato (1kg)
$1.83 Rp 32.5K
$2.79 $2.79
-34.41%
Onion (1kg)
$2.25 Rp 40.1K
$4.85 $4.85
-53.61%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 Rp 18.6K
$3.52 $3.52
-70.45%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 Rp 10.0K
$2.80 $2.80
-80.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22 Rp 39.5K
$11.66 $11.66
-80.96%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.22 Rp 412.7K
$15.92 $15.92
45.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39 Rp 42.5K
$2.26 $2.26
5.75%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 Rp 51.1K
$4.44 $4.44
-35.36%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,416
$1.99 $1.99
-87.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.17 Rp 127.4K
$30.59 $30.59
-76.56%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.46 Rp 8,163
$2.92 $2.92
-84.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.46 Rp 8,235
$2.45 $2.45
-81.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.70 Rp 101.2K
$59.0 $59.0
-90.34%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 Rp 13.6K
$1.37 $1.37
-44.53%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 436.7M
$36.9K $36.9K
-33.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0K Rp 551.5M
$25.6K $25.6K
21.13%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.2 Rp 1.5M
$271 $271
-69.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.33 Rp 112.5K
$82.2 $82.2
-92.30%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.54 Rp 329.6K
$66.2 $66.2
-72.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.1 Rp 996.2K
$40.99 $40.99
36.74%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.41 Rp 327.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.26 Rp 75.8K
$12.95 $12.95
-67.10%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$489 Rp 8.7M
$1,425 $1,425
-65.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,793 Rp 103.0M
$36.8K $36.8K
-84.27%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.98 Rp 817.3K
$88.5 $88.5
-48.05%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.86 Rp 637.4K
$45.93 $45.93
-21.92%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 Rp 1.4M
$94.3 $94.3
-15.68%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.9 Rp 1.4M
$141 $141
-42.55%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,144 Rp 20.3M
$1,612 $1,612
-29.02%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$692 Rp 12.3M
$1,290 $1,290
-46.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,532 Rp 62.8M
$2,508 $2,508
40.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,709 Rp 30.4M
$2,116 $2,116
-19.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,785 Rp 49.5M
$2,752 $2,752
1.18%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,261 Rp 40.2M
$2,407 $2,407
-6.06%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Highland, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$169 Rp 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6.24
120.83%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 15, 2026

Last update for Highland, CA: August 17, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,144 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,612 in Highland, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $102 in Highland, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $293 vs $563 – 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 Highland, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in Highland, CA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,379 in Ubud, Bali, $2,907 in Highland, CA – roughly 111% apart. Highland, CA costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Highland, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,069 per month in Ubud, Bali and $4,360 in Highland, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Highland, CA?
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.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali and $102 in Highland, CA. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Highland, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,379 in Ubud, Bali and $2,907 in Highland, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,379, than in Highland, CA at $2,907. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Highland, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Highland, CA?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,379 in Ubud, Bali to $2,907 in Highland, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Highland, CA safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Ubud, Bali and Highland, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Highland, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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