🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,392 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,536 in Pontiac, MI.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,557 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,755 in Pontiac, MI.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,723 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,974 in Pontiac, MI.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 45% less than in Pontiac, MI, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali5% above, Pontiac, MI91% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57Rp 64.5K
$18.16$18.16
-80.34%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.32Rp 583.4K
$69.9$69.9
-53.75%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.01Rp 90.4K
$10.85$10.85
-53.82%
Cappuccino
$2.82Rp 51.0K
$4.62$4.62
-38.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.35Rp 24.4K
$2.52$2.52
-46.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73Rp 13.2K
$1.62$1.62
-54.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.93Rp 53.0K
$6.09$6.09
-51.89%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.94Rp 71.1K
$6.83$6.83
-42.31%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.78Rp 32.1K
$0.83$0.83
114.46%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45Rp 44.2K
$3.41$3.41
-28.15%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.15Rp 20.7K
$4.70$4.70
-75.53%
Eggs
$2.41Rp 43.6K
$3.28$3.28
-26.52%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.33Rp 258.7K
$15.62$15.62
-8.26%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.19Rp 75.6K
$12.03$12.03
-65.17%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.06Rp 217.7K
$15.17$15.17
-20.50%
Apples(1kg)
$3.64Rp 65.7K
$6.75$6.75
-46.07%
Banana(1kg)
$1.57Rp 28.3K
$1.36$1.36
15.44%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.79Rp 50.3K
$6.24$6.24
-55.29%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.24Rp 40.5K
$5.64$5.64
-60.28%
Potato(1kg)
$1.98Rp 35.7K
$2.20$2.20
-10.00%
Onion(1kg)
$2.28Rp 41.1K
$3.83$3.83
-40.47%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.05Rp 19.0K
$2.45$2.45
-57.14%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.79Rp 14.2K
$2.70$2.70
-70.74%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.19Rp 57.6K
$8.74$8.74
-63.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.49Rp 424.1K
$14.74$14.74
59.36%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.90Rp 52.3K
$1.79$1.79
62.01%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.76Rp 49.7K
$3.57$3.57
-22.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,813
$1.95$1.95
-86.15%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.37Rp 151.1K
$50.8$50.8
-83.54%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 8,167
$4.76$4.76
-90.55%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.46Rp 8,298
$1.43$1.43
-67.83%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.07Rp 109.6K
$27.87$27.87
-78.22%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.86Rp 15.6K
$0.92$0.92
-6.52%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6KRp 480.0M
$25.2K$25.2K
5.69%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5KRp 587.6M
$21.8K$21.8K
49.22%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.0Rp 1.4M
$119$119
-33.33%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09Rp 73.9K
$45.20$45.20
-90.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$23.85Rp 430.5K
$61.0$61.0
-60.93%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$98.8Rp 1.8M
$43.05$43.05
129.45%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.35Rp 114.7K
$11.77$11.77
-46.05%
Cinema Ticket
$4.01Rp 72.3K
$11.06$11.06
-63.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$297Rp 5.4M
$952$952
-68.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,602Rp 119.2M
$21.3K$21.3K
-69.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4Rp 964.5K
$64.8$64.8
-17.51%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.11Rp 688.1K
$39.65$39.65
-3.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$88.7Rp 1.6M
$96.4$96.4
-8.05%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.6Rp 1.4M
$136$136
-43.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,020Rp 18.4M
$1,606$1,606
-36.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$680Rp 12.3M
$1,342$1,342
-49.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,469Rp 62.6M
$2,647$2,647
31.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,090Rp 37.7M
$2,261$2,261
-7.56%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,729Rp 49.3M
$2,721$2,721
0.31%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,295Rp 41.4M
$2,377$2,377
-3.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Pontiac, MI
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$164Rp 3.0M
$3,463$3,463
-95.27%
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: July 28, 2026
Last update for Pontiac, MI: July 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,020 in Ubud, Bali and $1,606 in Pontiac, MI. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Pontiac, MI pays 2016% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $70.0 in Pontiac, MI for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $298 vs $424 per month, with Ubud, Bali 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 Pontiac, MI: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Pontiac, MI?
Ubud, Bali and Pontiac, MI differ by about 82% in total monthly costs ($1,392 vs $2,536 including rent). Ubud, Bali 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 2016% lower in Pontiac, MI. 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 Pontiac, MI?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,020 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,606 in Pontiac, MI. 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 42% higher in Pontiac, MI. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $32.00 versus $70.0 in Pontiac, MI. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,392 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,536 in Pontiac, MI, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Pontiac, MI. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Pontiac, MI?
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 Pontiac, MI safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Pontiac, MI 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 Pontiac, MI?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 82% less than in Pontiac, MI. 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