😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali versus $670 in Maseru.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,585 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,115 in Maseru.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,763 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,561 in Maseru.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 110% more expensive than in Maseru, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 5% above, Maseru is 50% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45Rp 62.1K
$11.12LSL 182
-68.97%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34Rp 581.1K
$24.74LSL 406
30.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.84Rp 87.1K
$11.04LSL 181
-56.16%
Cappuccino
$2.75Rp 49.4K
$1.80LSL 29.47
52.78%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38Rp 24.9K
$1.27LSL 20.90
8.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75Rp 13.5K
$0.80LSL 13.07
-6.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.99Rp 53.8K
$1.99LSL 32.62
50.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85Rp 69.2K
$2.21LSL 36.23
74.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74Rp 31.2K
$0.99LSL 16.16
75.76%
White Bread(500g)
$2.46Rp 44.2K
$0.76LSL 12.47
223.68%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.17Rp 21.0K
$2.20LSL 36.09
-46.82%
Eggs
$2.43Rp 43.7K
$1.35LSL 22.18
80.00%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.50Rp 260.6K
$6.93LSL 114
109.24%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.35Rp 78.2K
$5.64LSL 92.6
-22.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.98Rp 215.3K
$5.54LSL 90.8
116.25%
Apples(1kg)
$3.72Rp 66.8K
$1.61LSL 26.41
131.06%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63Rp 29.2K
$2.05LSL 33.64
-20.49%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.74Rp 49.3K
$2.47LSL 40.58
10.93%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24Rp 40.3K
$2.21LSL 36.30
1.36%
Potato(1kg)
$1.92Rp 34.5K
$1.42LSL 23.36
35.21%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28Rp 40.9K
$1.47LSL 24.12
55.10%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06Rp 19.1K
$1.32LSL 21.61
-19.70%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72Rp 12.9K
$0.85LSL 13.90
-15.29%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29Rp 59.0K
$4.89LSL 80.3
-32.72%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.19Rp 416.8K
$7.08LSL 116
227.54%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 49.9K
$1.01LSL 16.62
175.25%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73Rp 49.1K
$1.37LSL 22.54
99.27%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,786
$0.71LSL 11.60
-61.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.11Rp 145.7K
$27.72LSL 455
-70.74%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48Rp 8,675
$0.64LSL 10.49
-25.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42Rp 7,545
$0.63LSL 10.30
-33.33%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.22Rp 111.8K
$10.12LSL 166
-38.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.81Rp 14.6K
$1.14LSL 18.77
-28.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KRp 478.2M
$19.9KLSL 325.9K
33.93%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2KRp 578.5M
$15.3KLSL 251.2K
110.15%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07Rp 73.1K
$13.53LSL 222
-69.92%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33Rp 437.1K
$31.63LSL 519
-23.08%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$98.6Rp 1.8M
$21.63LSL 355
355.89%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34Rp 113.9K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$3.99Rp 71.6K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$305Rp 5.5M
$47.85LSL 785
537.47%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,642Rp 119.4M
$1,104LSL 18.1K
501.77%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1Rp 972.9K
$42.18LSL 692
28.35%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81Rp 679.4K
$38.98LSL 639
-3.00%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.8Rp 1.6M
$97.7LSL 1,602
-11.08%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4Rp 1.4M
$138LSL 2,266
-44.74%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$992Rp 17.8M
$143LSL 2,338
595.63%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$673Rp 12.1M
$71.6LSL 1,174
840.09%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,375Rp 60.7M
$402LSL 6,586
740.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,050Rp 36.8M
$159LSL 2,603
1191.87%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,805Rp 50.4M
$391LSL 6,415
617.03%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,227Rp 40.0M
$533LSL 8,733
318.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Maseru
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$167Rp 3.0M
$631LSL 10.3K
-73.53%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
8.5
56.24%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Last update for Maseru: July 12, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $992 in Ubud, Bali and $143 in Maseru. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Maseru pays 278% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $25.00 in Maseru for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $297 vs $183 per month, with Maseru cheaper across the board.
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 Maseru: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Maseru?
Ubud, Bali and Maseru differ by about 110% in total monthly costs ($1,408 vs $670 including rent). Maseru is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 278% lower in Maseru. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Maseru?
Rent for a central apartment: $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $143 in Maseru. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Maseru – a meal for two runs $25.00 versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Maseru?
All in, you'll spend $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $670 in Maseru – a 110% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $670 in Maseru versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Maseru but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Maseru the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Maseru?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Ubud, Bali or Maseru safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Maseru are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Ubud, Bali or Maseru?
Expats usually find Maseru gentler on the wallet – expenses run 110% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared