Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Rochester, NY Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Rochester, NY

Monthly Cost of Living

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,395 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,438 in Rochester, NY.

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,559 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,731 in Rochester, NY.

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,724 in Ubud, Bali versus $5,023 in Rochester, NY.

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 43% less than in Rochester, NY, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali 4% above, Rochester, NY 81% above.

Currency
๐Ÿฝ Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.48 Rpย 59.7K
$24.78 $24.78
-85.96%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.88 Rpย 564.0K
$78.7 $78.7
-58.23%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.09 Rpย 87.3K
$10.28 $10.28
-50.49%
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rpย 47.1K
$5.70 $5.70
-51.75%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rpย 23.7K
$2.53 $2.53
-45.45%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71 Rpย 12.2K
$2.70 $2.70
-73.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.88 Rpย 49.4K
$4.07 $4.07
-29.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.87 Rpย 66.4K
$5.84 $5.84
-33.73%
๐Ÿ›’ Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.79 Rpย 30.7K
$0.95 $0.95
88.42%
White Bread (500g)
$2.45 Rpย 42.0K
$2.88 $2.88
-14.93%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.21 Rpย 20.7K
$4.99 $4.99
-75.75%
Eggs
$2.39 Rpย 40.9K
$4.01 $4.01
-40.40%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.70 Rpย 252.1K
$11.02 $11.02
33.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.24 Rpย 72.7K
$7.70 $7.70
-44.94%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.08 Rpย 207.1K
$15.51 $15.51
-22.11%
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 Rpย 62.9K
$5.46 $5.46
-32.97%
Banana (1kg)
$1.61 Rpย 27.6K
$1.31 $1.31
22.90%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.72 Rpย 46.6K
$4.13 $4.13
-34.14%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.27 Rpย 39.0K
$4.94 $4.94
-54.05%
Potato (1kg)
$1.90 Rpย 32.6K
$3.66 $3.66
-48.09%
Onion (1kg)
$2.30 Rpย 39.4K
$3.23 $3.23
-28.79%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 Rpย 17.4K
$2.14 $2.14
-52.34%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78 Rpย 13.4K
$1.79 $1.79
-56.42%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.24 Rpย 55.7K
$14.93 $14.93
-78.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$24.06 Rpย 412.7K
$9.96 $9.96
141.57%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84 Rpย 48.7K
$2.44 $2.44
16.39%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.79 Rpย 47.8K
$4.00 $4.00
-30.25%
๐ŸšŒ Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rpย 4,610
$1.99 $1.99
-86.43%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.24 Rpย 141.4K
$45.77 $45.77
-82.00%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.45 Rpย 7,708
$2.43 $2.43
-81.48%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rpย 7,305
$1.90 $1.90
-77.37%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.02 Rpย 103.3K
$21.14 $21.14
-71.52%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 Rpย 14.7K
$0.96 $0.96
-10.42%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1K Rpย 447.1M
$30.2K $30.2K
-13.79%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rpย 543.7M
$25.0K $25.0K
26.56%
๐Ÿงพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.3 Rpย 1.3M
$144 $144
-45.76%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.00 Rpย 68.5K
$50.0 $50.0
-92.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.35 Rpย 417.7K
$66.8 $66.8
-63.53%
๐ŸŽ‰ Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$95.8 Rpย 1.6M
$43.68 $43.68
119.25%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.46 Rpย 110.7K
$44.88 $44.88
-85.61%
Cinema Ticket
$4.01 Rpย 68.7K
$13.62 $13.62
-70.56%
๐Ÿงธ Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$302 Rpย 5.2M
$1,331 $1,331
-77.34%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,545 Rpย 112.3M
$28.7K $28.7K
-77.23%
๐Ÿ‘•๐Ÿ‘Ÿ Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.4 Rpย 916.3K
$41.17 $41.17
29.75%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.55 Rpย 661.2K
$32.86 $32.86
17.32%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$89.1 Rpย 1.5M
$84.2 $84.2
5.80%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9 Rpย 1.4M
$87.2 $87.2
-9.53%
๐Ÿ  Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,016 Rpย 17.4M
$1,576 $1,576
-35.52%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$672 Rpย 11.5M
$1,218 $1,218
-44.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,368 Rpย 57.8M
$2,184 $2,184
54.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,108 Rpย 36.2M
$2,222 $2,222
-5.13%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,001 Rpย 51.5M
$1,434 $1,434
109.34%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,337 Rpย 40.1M
$1,469 $1,469
59.01%
๐Ÿ’ต Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Rochester, NY
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$178 Rpย 3.0M
$4,042 $4,042
-95.61%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
6.57
102.13%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ€“ minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 12, 2026

Last update for Rochester, NY: April 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,016 in Ubud, Bali and $1,576 in Rochester, NY. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Rochester, NY pays 2177% 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: $33 in Ubud, Bali vs $79 in Rochester, NY for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $300 vs $356 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 Rochester, NY: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Rochester, NY?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost โ€“ living expenses run 75% lower than in Rochester, NY. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ubud, Bali or Rochester, NY?
On paper, Rochester, NY earns 2177% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ubud, Bali vs Rochester, NY?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,016 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,576 in Rochester, NY. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do dining costs compare in Ubud, Bali vs Rochester, NY?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali โ€“ a meal for two runs $33.00 versus $79.0 in Rochester, NY. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Rochester, NY?
All in, you'll spend $1,395 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $2,438 in Rochester, NY โ€“ a 75% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Rochester, NY?
At $1,395 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,438 in Rochester, NY, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Rochester, NY. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Rochester, NY?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value โ€“ similar infrastructure at $1,395 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Rochester, NY?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Rochester, NY are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet โ€“ expenses run 75% less than in Rochester, NY. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

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