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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,378 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $826 in Merida, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,423 in Merida, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,275 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,020 in Merida, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 67% more than Merida, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Ubud, Bali sits 0% above the global median, while Merida is 40% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.33 Rp 58.7K

$12.16 VES 10.1K

-72.62%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$35.82 Rp 630.7K

$59.8 VES 49.7K

-40.13%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.63 Rp 99.1K

$11.07 VES 9,193

-49.14%

Cappuccino

$2.82 Rp 49.7K

$2.44 VES 2,027

15.57%

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

$1.75 Rp 30.8K

$2.14 VES 1,778

-18.22%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.80 Rp 14.0K

$1.35 VES 1,124

-40.74%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.04 Rp 53.6K

$1.98 VES 1,646

53.54%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

$2.97 VES 2,465

44.78%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.61 Rp 28.3K

$2.04 VES 1,697

-21.08%

White Bread (500g)

$2.27 Rp 39.9K

$3.16 VES 2,626

-28.16%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.17 Rp 20.6K

$2.02 VES 1,680

-42.08%

Eggs

$2.17 Rp 38.2K

$2.52 VES 2,089

-13.89%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.63 Rp 310.5K

$6.60 VES 5,480

167.12%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.05 Rp 71.4K

$7.98 VES 6,629

-49.25%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.18 Rp 214.5K

$7.54 VES 6,262

61.54%

Apples (1kg)

$3.62 Rp 63.7K

$5.03 VES 4,174

-28.03%

Banana (1kg)

$1.64 Rp 28.8K

$1.40 VES 1,163

17.14%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.31 Rp 40.6K

$2.87 VES 2,381

-19.51%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.96 Rp 34.5K

$2.32 VES 1,929

-15.52%

Potato (1kg)

$1.84 Rp 32.5K

$2.00 VES 1,662

-8.00%

Onion (1kg)

$2.37 Rp 41.7K

$1.31 VES 1,089

80.92%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 Rp 18.5K

$1.54 VES 1,282

-31.82%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.54 Rp 9,560

$2.63 VES 2,181

-79.47%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.30 Rp 40.6K

$3.66 VES 3,040

-37.16%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.08 Rp 406.4K

$10.96 VES 9,105

110.58%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.34 Rp 41.2K

$1.43 VES 1,189

63.64%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.07 Rp 54.0K

$2.22 VES 1,844

38.29%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.25 Rp 4,365

$0.29 VES 241

-13.79%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$9.42 Rp 165.9K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.49 Rp 8,631

$3.91 VES 3,250

-87.47%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.47 Rp 8,349

$1.47 VES 1,220

-68.03%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.60 Rp 98.6K

$5.98 VES 4,963

-6.35%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 Rp 14.2K

$0.70 VES 584

15.71%

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

$25.0K Rp 440.3M

$45.9K VES 38.1M

-45.49%

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

$31.1K Rp 547.0M

$49.5K VES 41.1M

-37.21%

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

$82.7 Rp 1.5M

$12.68 VES 10.5K

552.37%

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

$6.49 Rp 114.2K

$10.50 VES 8,716

-38.19%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.79 Rp 330.8K

$30.25 VES 25.1K

-37.88%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$55.2 Rp 972.6K

$30.24 VES 25.1K

82.67%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.21 Rp 320.6K

$15.16 VES 12.6K

20.12%

Cinema Ticket

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

$4.96 VES 4,121

-13.31%

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

$494 Rp 8.7M

$89.7 VES 74.5K

450.98%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,917 Rp 104.2M

$2,355 VES 2.0M

151.21%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$46.28 Rp 814.8K

$74.5 VES 61.9K

-37.90%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$36.44 Rp 641.6K

$41.48 VES 34.4K

-12.15%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.7 Rp 1.4M

$98.4 VES 81.7K

-18.00%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.8 Rp 1.4M

$97.7 VES 81.2K

-19.37%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,114 Rp 19.6M

$136 VES 112.7K

721.11%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$693 Rp 12.2M

$94.8 VES 78.7K

631.67%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,639 Rp 64.1M

$227 VES 188.4K

1503.89%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,712 Rp 30.1M

$193 VES 160.4K

786.19%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,761 Rp 48.6M

$1,182 VES 981.9K

133.46%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,293 Rp 40.4M

$1,212 VES 1.0M

89.17%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$167 Rp 2.9M

$288 VES 239.5K

-42.06%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.78

-44.88%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Last update for Merida: September 5, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,114 in Ubud, Bali versus $136 in Merida. 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 73% higher in Merida, 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 $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $60.0 in Merida. Groceries tell a different story – $294 in Ubud, Bali vs $289 in Merida – so Merida wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Merida: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Ubud, Bali costs about 67% more than Merida, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,067 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,239 in Merida. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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

Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,378 in Ubud, Bali and $826 in Merida. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Kindergarten costs $494 per month in Ubud, Bali and $89.7 in Merida. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Merida, where all-in costs run around $826, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,378. In Merida it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Merida costs $826 versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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 Merida. 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.