Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Island Garden City of Samal

For one person, living is cheaper in Island Garden City of Samal: $870 a month against $1,369 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $6,000 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Island Garden City of Samal, Philippines
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,369
/mo nomad
Island Garden City of Samal
🇵🇭 Philippines
$870
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Island Garden City of Samal

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ubud, Bali and in Island Garden City of Samal actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,369 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $870 in Island Garden City of Samal, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,369
  • Island Garden City of Samal $870

A couple spends around $2,302 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,307 in Island Garden City of Samal, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,302
  • Island Garden City of Samal $1,307

A family of three spends $3,236 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,744 in Island Garden City of Samal, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,236
  • Island Garden City of Samal $1,744

Ubud, Bali costs about 57% more than Island Garden City of Samal, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Ubud, Bali sits 2% above the global median, while Island Garden City of Samal is 35% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.37 Rp 60.8K
$5.54 ₱348
-39.17%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.50 Rp 622.5K
$20.51 ₱1,290
68.21%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.69 Rp 102.6K
$3.89 ₱245
46.27%
Cappuccino
$2.72 Rp 49.1K
$2.24 ₱141
21.43%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.56 Rp 28.1K
$1.02 ₱64.3
52.94%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63 Rp 11.4K
$0.60 ₱37.77
5.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.71 Rp 49.0K
$1.43 ₱89.9
89.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.33 Rp 78.1K
$2.17 ₱136
99.54%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.48 Rp 26.7K
$2.07 ₱130
-28.50%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
$1.15 ₱72.2
99.13%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.09 Rp 19.7K
$0.90 ₱56.8
21.11%
Eggs
$2.07 Rp 37.4K
$2.03 ₱128
1.97%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.73 Rp 283.9K
$6.82 ₱428
130.65%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.04 Rp 73.0K
$5.13 ₱322
-21.25%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.21 Rp 202.2K
$7.22 ₱454
55.26%
Apples (1kg)
$3.67 Rp 66.2K
$2.47 ₱155
48.58%
Banana (1kg)
$1.58 Rp 28.5K
$1.24 ₱78.2
27.42%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.35 Rp 42.3K
$2.44 ₱153
-3.69%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.98 Rp 35.8K
$1.29 ₱80.9
53.49%
Potato (1kg)
$1.87 Rp 33.8K
$2.11 ₱133
-11.37%
Onion (1kg)
$2.38 Rp 43.0K
$1.53 ₱96.1
55.56%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 Rp 18.5K
$0.89 ₱55.7
14.61%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.53 Rp 9,583
$0.72 ₱45.15
-26.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.21 Rp 39.8K
$2.52 ₱158
-12.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.60 Rp 389.8K
$5.78 ₱363
273.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.38 Rp 42.9K
$1.24 ₱78.3
91.94%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.89 Rp 52.2K
$1.56 ₱97.8
85.26%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.23 Rp 4,130
$0.24 ₱14.89
-4.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.73 Rp 175.6K
$13.93 ₱876
-30.15%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,950
$0.80 ₱50.1
-45.00%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,415
$0.22 ₱13.83
113.64%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.61 Rp 101.2K
$1.86 ₱117
201.61%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.89 Rp 16.1K
$1.23 ₱77.5
-27.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.5K Rp 441.5M
$21.5K ₱1.4M
13.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.3K Rp 582.2M
$19.5K ₱1.2M
65.39%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.1 Rp 1.4M
$106 ₱6,670
-27.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.43 Rp 116.0K
$18.77 ₱1,180
-65.74%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$19.33 Rp 348.8K
$30.91 ₱1,943
-37.46%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
$33.70 ₱2,119
134.75%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.70 Rp 337.4K
$8.97 ₱564
108.47%
Cinema Ticket
$4.28 Rp 77.3K
$4.65 ₱292
-7.96%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$488 Rp 8.8M
$23.69 ₱1,489
1960.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.4K Rp 223.6M
$7,917 ₱497.7K
56.53%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.14 Rp 814.5K
$51.5 ₱3,240
-12.42%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.54 Rp 641.4K
$27.65 ₱1,738
28.54%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.8 Rp 1.4M
$78.1 ₱4,908
0.97%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.7 Rp 1.4M
$49.71 ₱3,125
56.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,093 Rp 19.7M
$366 ₱23.0K
198.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$670 Rp 12.1M
$270 ₱17.0K
148.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,476 Rp 62.7M
$921 ₱57.9K
277.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,661 Rp 30.0M
$483 ₱30.4K
243.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,381 Rp 43.0M
$3,913 ₱246.0K
-39.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,186 Rp 39.5M
$2,081 ₱130.8K
5.09%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Island Garden City of Samal
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
7.75
77.81%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 10, 2026

Last update for Island Garden City of Samal: November 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$670
Island Garden City of Samal
$270 59.7% $400
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$280
Island Garden City of Samal
$190 32.2% $90
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$108
Island Garden City of Samal
$101 6.4% $6.9
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$107
Island Garden City of Samal
$93 12.7% $14
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$103
Island Garden City of Samal
$156 51.5% $53
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$88
Island Garden City of Samal
$43 51% $45
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$13
Island Garden City of Samal
$17 25% $3.4

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,093 in Ubud, Bali versus $366 in Island Garden City of Samal. 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 $34 in Ubud, Bali versus $21 in Island Garden City of Samal. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $280 vs $190 – making Island Garden City of Samal the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇵🇭 Island Garden City of Samal
🕒 Local time
04:46 4:46 AM
04:46 4:46 AM
Same time as Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
116,771
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

PHP, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 10, 2026: 1 USD = 18,045 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.54 USD). 1 EUR = 20,248 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

Philippine Peso exchange rates as of November 10, 2026: 1 USD = 62.87 PHP (100 PHP = 1.59 USD). 1 EUR = 70.54 PHP (100 PHP = 1.42 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Island Garden City of Samal 2,080 km ≈ 3 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Island Garden City of Samal

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 Island Garden City of Samal: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Island Garden City of Samal?
Ubud, Bali costs about 57% more than Island Garden City of Samal, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. That’s enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in Island Garden City of Samal?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,053 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,305 in Island Garden City of Samal. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Island Garden City of Samal?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Island Garden City of Samal, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $366 there versus $1,093 in Ubud, Bali.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Island Garden City of Samal?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,369 in Ubud, Bali and $870 in Island Garden City of Samal. That makes Island Garden City of Samal about 36% cheaper.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali compared to Island Garden City of Samal?
Public transport costs about 30% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $800/month in Ubud, Bali or in Island Garden City of Samal?
$800 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,369 in Ubud, Bali and $870 in Island Garden City of Samal. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for families?
Families tend to lean toward Island Garden City of Samal – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Island Garden City of Samal?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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