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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,419 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,650 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,540 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,106 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $5,561 in Modesto, CA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 46% cheaper than Modesto, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and Modesto, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 6%, Modesto, CA by 98%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.56 Rp 63.7K
$15.10 $15.10
-76.42%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.73 Rp 584.5K
$80.4 $80.4
-59.30%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.95 Rp 88.4K
$8.84 $8.84
-44.00%
Cappuccino
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
$5.66 $5.66
-52.12%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 Rp 24.0K
$2.68 $2.68
-50.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70 Rp 12.5K
$1.66 $1.66
-57.83%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.92 Rp 52.1K
$5.02 $5.02
-41.83%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.96 Rp 70.7K
$7.20 $7.20
-45.00%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.81 Rp 32.3K
$1.12 $1.12
61.61%
White Bread (500g)
$2.52 Rp 45.0K
$3.60 $3.60
-30.00%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.16 Rp 20.7K
$3.15 $3.15
-63.17%
Eggs
$2.46 Rp 43.9K
$4.99 $4.99
-50.70%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.71 Rp 262.7K
$12.86 $12.86
14.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.32 Rp 77.1K
$14.62 $14.62
-70.45%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.14 Rp 216.7K
$19.50 $19.50
-37.74%
Apples (1kg)
$3.84 Rp 68.6K
$6.27 $6.27
-38.76%
Banana (1kg)
$1.56 Rp 27.8K
$2.52 $2.52
-38.10%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.83 Rp 50.6K
$4.97 $4.97
-43.06%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.5K
$6.52 $6.52
-64.26%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 34.2K
$3.57 $3.57
-46.50%
Onion (1kg)
$2.20 Rp 39.3K
$4.26 $4.26
-48.36%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 18.1K
$3.03 $3.03
-66.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 Rp 13.8K
$2.81 $2.81
-72.24%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.32 Rp 59.2K
$10.12 $10.12
-67.19%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.74 Rp 423.9K
$15.26 $15.26
55.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.79 Rp 49.8K
$1.91 $1.91
46.07%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.86 Rp 51.1K
$3.42 $3.42
-16.37%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,800
$2.03 $2.03
-86.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.03 Rp 143.4K
$40.22 $40.22
-80.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.46 Rp 8,150
$3.56 $3.56
-87.08%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.45 Rp 8,037
$2.08 $2.08
-78.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.10 Rp 108.9K
$30.40 $30.40
-79.93%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.79 Rp 14.2K
$1.25 $1.25
-36.80%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K Rp 467.0M
$27.3K $27.3K
-4.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.1K Rp 573.6M
$26.6K $26.6K
20.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
$287 $287
-72.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.06 Rp 72.6K
$49.26 $49.26
-91.76%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.52 Rp 420.0K
$63.0 $63.0
-62.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.7 Rp 1.8M
$41.92 $41.92
135.45%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.63 Rp 118.4K
$14.95 $14.95
-55.65%
Cinema Ticket
$4.15 Rp 74.1K
$11.07 $11.07
-62.51%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$304 Rp 5.4M
$1,952 $1,952
-84.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,613 Rp 118.1M
$25.9K $25.9K
-74.43%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.5 Rp 991.8K
$47.56 $47.56
16.78%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.31 Rp 684.1K
$39.84 $39.84
-3.84%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$88.6 Rp 1.6M
$89.1 $89.1
-0.52%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
$129 $129
-39.85%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,006 Rp 18.0M
$1,429 $1,429
-29.55%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$675 Rp 12.1M
$1,261 $1,261
-46.46%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,442 Rp 61.5M
$2,426 $2,426
41.85%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,039 Rp 36.4M
$2,401 $2,401
-15.04%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,841 Rp 50.7M
$3,192 $3,192
-10.99%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,264 Rp 40.4M
$3,184 $3,184
-28.90%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Modesto, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$165 Rp 3.0M
$4,035 $4,035
-95.91%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.51
103.99%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Last update for Modesto, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,006 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,429 in Modesto, CA. 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 2342% higher in Modesto, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $80.0 in Modesto, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $302 vs $461 – 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 Modesto, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Modesto, CA?
Modesto, CA costs about 87% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. 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 vs Modesto, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,129 per month in Ubud, Bali and $3,975 in Modesto, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Modesto, 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.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Modesto, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,419 in Ubud, Bali and $2,650 in Modesto, CA. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali vs Modesto, CA?
Public transport costs about 401% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Modesto, CA?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,419, than in Modesto, CA at $2,650. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Modesto, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Modesto, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,419 versus $2,650 in Modesto, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Modesto, CA?
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.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or Modesto, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Modesto, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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