😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,404 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,011 in Phoenix.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,549 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,549 in Phoenix.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,694 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,086 in Phoenix.
😐Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 39% more expensive than Phoenix, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 4% above, Phoenix is 25% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57Rp 64.0K
$6.74MUR 318
-47.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.50Rp 582.3K
$43.39MUR 2,043
-25.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.86Rp 87.1K
$6.50MUR 306
-25.23%
Cappuccino
$2.75Rp 49.2K
$2.57MUR 121
7.00%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.32Rp 23.7K
$0.98MUR 45.97
34.69%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.70Rp 12.6K
$0.60MUR 28.43
16.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.91Rp 52.2K
$2.08MUR 98.1
39.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.79Rp 68.0K
$2.66MUR 125
42.48%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.71Rp 30.6K
$1.46MUR 68.9
17.12%
White Bread(500g)
$2.47Rp 44.3K
$0.71MUR 33.25
247.89%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20Rp 21.5K
$1.33MUR 62.6
-9.77%
Eggs
$2.44Rp 43.8K
$2.27MUR 107
7.49%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.38Rp 257.7K
$9.87MUR 465
45.69%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.31Rp 77.1K
$6.03MUR 284
-28.52%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.21Rp 218.7K
$10.41MUR 490
17.29%
Apples(1kg)
$3.68Rp 66.0K
$2.03MUR 95.7
81.28%
Banana(1kg)
$1.55Rp 27.8K
$2.00MUR 94.3
-22.50%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.79Rp 49.9K
$1.45MUR 68.4
92.41%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33Rp 41.8K
$2.67MUR 126
-12.73%
Potato(1kg)
$1.97Rp 35.3K
$1.02MUR 48.20
93.14%
Onion(1kg)
$2.31Rp 41.4K
$1.00MUR 47.00
131.00%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06Rp 19.1K
$0.84MUR 39.55
26.19%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73Rp 13.1K
$0.56MUR 26.53
30.36%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.28Rp 58.8K
$6.14MUR 289
-46.58%
Wine(Bottle)
$22.79Rp 408.4K
$8.25MUR 389
176.24%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.81Rp 50.3K
$1.78MUR 84.1
57.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 49.9K
$2.11MUR 99.2
31.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,217
$1.04MUR 49.09
-72.12%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.06Rp 144.4K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 8,047
$4.48MUR 211
-89.96%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.45Rp 8,094
$2.72MUR 128
-83.46%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.24Rp 111.7K
$15.48MUR 729
-59.69%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85Rp 15.2K
$1.54MUR 72.7
-44.81%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.0KRp 465.4M
$35.9KMUR 1.7M
-27.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7KRp 567.2M
$29.2KMUR 1.4M
8.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.8Rp 1.4M
$50.0MUR 2,356
61.40%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.06Rp 72.7K
$18.57MUR 875
-78.14%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.42Rp 437.6K
$33.02MUR 1,555
-26.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.7Rp 1.7M
$38.92MUR 1,833
150.95%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.45Rp 115.5K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.04Rp 72.4K
$6.19MUR 292
-34.73%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$304Rp 5.4M
$155MUR 7,306
95.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,621Rp 118.6M
$3,965MUR 186.7K
67.01%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.2Rp 971.7K
$50.2MUR 2,361
8.14%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.78Rp 694.7K
$43.39MUR 2,043
-10.62%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.1Rp 1.5M
$81.9MUR 3,858
5.15%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.7Rp 1.4M
$80.4MUR 3,785
-4.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$986Rp 17.7M
$552MUR 26.0K
78.58%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$658Rp 11.8M
$387MUR 18.2K
69.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,369Rp 60.4M
$879MUR 41.4K
283.51%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,066Rp 37.0M
$617MUR 29.0K
234.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,741Rp 49.1M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,228Rp 39.9M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Phoenix
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$163Rp 2.9M
$952MUR 44.8K
-82.84%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
6.25
112.48%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026
Last update for Phoenix: June 8, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $986 in Ubud, Bali and $552 in Phoenix. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Phoenix pays 483% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $33.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $43.00 in Phoenix. Groceries flip the comparison at $297 vs $213, with Phoenix cheaper for home cooking.
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 Phoenix: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and Phoenix?
Ubud, Bali and Phoenix differ by about 39% in total monthly costs ($1,404 vs $1,011 including rent). Phoenix is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, Phoenix earns 483% less. 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 Phoenix?
Rent for a central apartment: $986 in Ubud, Bali versus $552 in Phoenix. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 39% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Phoenix?
All in, you'll spend $1,404 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $1,011 in Phoenix – a 39% 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 $1,011 in Phoenix versus $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Phoenix but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Phoenix the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Phoenix?
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 Phoenix safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
Expats usually find Phoenix gentler on the wallet – expenses run 39% 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