Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Roanoke, VA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Roanoke, VA

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,379 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,249 in Roanoke, VA.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,363 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,237 in Roanoke, VA.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,347 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,226 in Roanoke, VA.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 39% less than in Roanoke, VA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 1% above, Roanoke, VA 64% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.31 Rp 58.9K
$17.32 $17.32
-80.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$39.08 Rp 694.5K
$54.8 $54.8
-28.70%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.62 Rp 99.8K
$11.76 $11.76
-52.21%
Cappuccino
$2.64 Rp 46.9K
$5.27 $5.27
-49.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.58 Rp 28.2K
$2.37 $2.37
-33.33%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 Rp 12.6K
$2.30 $2.30
-69.13%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.73 Rp 48.5K
$4.42 $4.42
-38.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 Rp 76.8K
$7.12 $7.12
-39.33%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.54 Rp 27.4K
$0.91 $0.91
69.23%
White Bread (500g)
$2.30 Rp 40.8K
$2.99 $2.99
-23.08%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.03 Rp 18.3K
$4.28 $4.28
-75.93%
Eggs
$2.12 Rp 37.7K
$3.31 $3.31
-35.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.30 Rp 307.5K
$14.14 $14.14
22.35%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.03 Rp 71.6K
$10.51 $10.51
-61.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.42 Rp 220.8K
$17.22 $17.22
-27.87%
Apples (1kg)
$3.70 Rp 65.7K
$5.34 $5.34
-30.71%
Banana (1kg)
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
$1.20 $1.20
35.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.27 Rp 40.3K
$3.78 $3.78
-39.95%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.99 Rp 35.4K
$4.62 $4.62
-56.93%
Potato (1kg)
$1.83 Rp 32.5K
$2.33 $2.33
-21.46%
Onion (1kg)
$2.25 Rp 40.1K
$3.23 $3.23
-30.34%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.04 Rp 18.6K
$2.22 $2.22
-53.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.56 Rp 10.0K
$2.10 $2.10
-73.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22 Rp 39.5K
$9.16 $9.16
-75.76%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.22 Rp 412.7K
$11.85 $11.85
95.95%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.39 Rp 42.5K
$1.69 $1.69
41.42%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.87 Rp 51.1K
$1.45 $1.45
97.93%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,416
$1.72 $1.72
-85.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.17 Rp 127.4K
$111 $111
-93.51%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.46 Rp 8,163
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.46 Rp 8,235
$0.63 $0.63
-26.98%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.70 Rp 101.2K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.76 Rp 13.6K
$0.88 $0.88
-13.64%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.6K Rp 436.7M
$36.9K $36.9K
-33.45%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.0K Rp 551.5M
$25.0K $25.0K
23.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$82.2 Rp 1.5M
$126 $126
-34.74%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.33 Rp 112.5K
$56.0 $56.0
-88.69%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.54 Rp 329.6K
$65.0 $65.0
-71.49%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.1 Rp 996.2K
$36.60 $36.60
53.14%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.41 Rp 327.2K
$22.71 $22.71
-18.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.26 Rp 75.8K
$12.79 $12.79
-66.69%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$489 Rp 8.7M
$568 $568
-13.82%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,793 Rp 103.0M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.98 Rp 817.3K
$44.47 $44.47
3.40%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.86 Rp 637.4K
$35.09 $35.09
2.19%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.5 Rp 1.4M
$90.7 $90.7
-12.33%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$80.9 Rp 1.4M
$133 $133
-39.19%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,144 Rp 20.3M
$1,206 $1,206
-5.14%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$692 Rp 12.3M
$990 $990
-30.12%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,532 Rp 62.8M
$1,741 $1,741
102.89%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,709 Rp 30.4M
$1,591 $1,591
7.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,785 Rp 49.5M
$1,966 $1,966
41.61%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,261 Rp 40.2M
$1,955 $1,955
15.68%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Roanoke, VA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$169 Rp 3.0M
$3,263 $3,263
-94.81%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6
129.67%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 15, 2026

Last update for Roanoke, VA: August 17, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,144 in Ubud, Bali and $1,206 in Roanoke, VA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Roanoke, VA pays 1827% 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: $39.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $55.0 in Roanoke, VA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $293 vs $371 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 Roanoke, VA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Roanoke, VA?
Ubud, Bali and Roanoke, VA differ by about 63% in total monthly costs ($1,379 vs $2,249 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 1827% lower in Roanoke, VA. 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 Roanoke, VA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,144 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,206 in Roanoke, VA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Ubud, Bali or Roanoke, VA?
All in, you'll spend $1,379 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $2,249 in Roanoke, VA – a 63% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Roanoke, VA?
A monthly transit pass in Ubud, Bali runs roughly 1441% less than in Roanoke, VA. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
At $1,379 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,249 in Roanoke, VA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Roanoke, VA. 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 Roanoke, VA?
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 Roanoke, VA safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Roanoke, VA 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 Roanoke, VA?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 63% less than in Roanoke, VA. 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

Similar cities