Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Langkawi Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Langkawi

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,419 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $829 in Langkawi, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,540 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,274 in Langkawi, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,720 in Langkawi, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 71% more than Langkawi, driven mainly by Sport & Entertainment.

Ubud, Bali sits 6% above the global median, while Langkawi is 38% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.56 Rp 63.7K
$3.49 MYR 13.85
2.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.73 Rp 584.5K
$21.60 MYR 85.6
51.53%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.95 Rp 88.4K
$5.99 MYR 23.76
-17.36%
Cappuccino
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
$1.48 MYR 5.89
83.11%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 Rp 24.0K
$0.80 MYR 3.18
67.50%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
$0.60 MYR 2.38
16.67%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.92 Rp 52.1K
$3.46 MYR 13.73
-15.61%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 Rp 70.7K
$4.90 MYR 19.43
-19.18%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 Rp 32.3K
$1.49 MYR 5.91
21.48%
White Bread (500g)
$2.52 Rp 45.0K
$1.11 MYR 4.40
127.03%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.16 Rp 20.7K
$1.29 MYR 5.11
-10.08%
Eggs
$2.46 Rp 43.9K
$2.03 MYR 8.04
21.18%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.71 Rp 262.7K
$14.87 MYR 59.0
-1.08%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.32 Rp 77.1K
$4.28 MYR 16.99
0.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.14 Rp 216.7K
$9.48 MYR 37.60
28.06%
Apples (1kg)
$3.84 Rp 68.6K
$1.92 MYR 7.61
100.00%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 Rp 27.8K
$1.47 MYR 5.82
6.12%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 Rp 50.6K
$2.57 MYR 10.19
10.12%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.5K
$1.37 MYR 5.44
70.07%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
$1.18 MYR 4.67
61.86%
Onion (1kg)
$2.20 Rp 39.3K
$1.33 MYR 5.29
65.41%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
$1.04 MYR 4.14
-2.88%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
$0.52 MYR 2.07
50.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32 Rp 59.2K
$3.90 MYR 15.45
-14.87%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.74 Rp 423.9K
$19.25 MYR 76.3
23.32%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 Rp 49.8K
$0.84 MYR 3.31
232.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 Rp 51.1K
$2.97 MYR 11.76
-3.70%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,800
$0.69 MYR 2.73
-60.87%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.03 Rp 143.4K
$11.91 MYR 47.23
-32.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.46 Rp 8,150
$1.20 MYR 4.76
-61.67%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 Rp 8,037
$0.98 MYR 3.91
-54.08%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.10 Rp 108.9K
$5.96 MYR 23.62
2.35%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
$0.50 MYR 1.99
58.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K Rp 467.0M
$35.3K MYR 140.1K
-25.99%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K Rp 573.6M
$31.7K MYR 125.6K
1.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
$35.75 MYR 142
123.61%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.06 Rp 72.6K
$8.89 MYR 35.26
-54.33%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52 Rp 420.0K
$28.56 MYR 113
-17.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
$21.56 MYR 85.5
357.79%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.63 Rp 118.4K
$5.91 MYR 23.42
12.18%
Cinema Ticket
$4.15 Rp 74.1K
$4.84 MYR 19.17
-14.26%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$304 Rp 5.4M
$185 MYR 732
64.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,613 Rp 118.1M
$6,967 MYR 27.6K
-5.08%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5 Rp 991.8K
$59.7 MYR 237
-7.03%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.31 Rp 684.1K
$26.99 MYR 107
41.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
$72.8 MYR 289
21.74%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
$49.93 MYR 198
55.96%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
$390 MYR 1,548
157.79%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$675 Rp 12.1M
$270 MYR 1,071
150.00%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,442 Rp 61.5M
$648 MYR 2,571
430.79%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,039 Rp 36.4M
$474 MYR 1,880
330.03%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,841 Rp 50.7M
$1,944 MYR 7,710
46.12%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,264 Rp 40.4M
$880 MYR 3,488
157.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Langkawi
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
$2,095 MYR 8,308
-92.11%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
4.07
226.29%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Last update for Langkawi: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,006 in Ubud, Bali versus $390 in Langkawi. 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 1168% higher in Langkawi, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $22.00 in Langkawi. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $302 vs $235 – making Langkawi 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 Langkawi: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and Langkawi compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, $829 in Langkawi – roughly 71% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Sport & Entertainment showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Langkawi?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,129 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,243 in Langkawi. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Langkawi?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Langkawi, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and Langkawi?
Public transport costs about 48% less in Langkawi. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ubud, Bali and Langkawi?
Kindergarten costs $304 per month in Ubud, Bali and $185 in Langkawi. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Langkawi, where all-in costs run around $829, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. In Langkawi it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Langkawi?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $829 in Langkawi to $1,419 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Langkawi 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 Langkawi?
If budget matters most, go with Langkawi. 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.

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