😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,438 in Ubud, Bali versus $983 in Roman.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,585 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,490 in Roman.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,732 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,998 in Roman.
😐Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 46% more expensive than Roman, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 7% above, Roman is 27% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.57Rp 61.9K
$12.10RON 52.7
-70.50%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.58Rp 564.7K
$27.98RON 122
16.44%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.07Rp 87.8K
$7.90RON 34.44
-35.82%
Cappuccino
$2.83Rp 49.0K
$3.51RON 15.29
-19.37%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34Rp 23.2K
$1.18RON 5.13
13.56%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69Rp 12.0K
$2.08RON 9.06
-66.83%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.99Rp 51.8K
$3.16RON 13.80
-5.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85Rp 66.7K
$2.32RON 10.10
65.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.74Rp 30.2K
$1.53RON 6.69
13.73%
White Bread(500g)
$2.54Rp 44.0K
$0.90RON 3.91
182.22%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.19Rp 20.6K
$1.59RON 6.94
-25.16%
Eggs
$2.43Rp 42.0K
$3.13RON 13.63
-22.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.66Rp 254.1K
$8.68RON 37.83
68.89%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.18Rp 72.4K
$7.16RON 31.23
-41.62%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.94Rp 206.9K
$11.70RON 51.0
2.05%
Apples(1kg)
$3.69Rp 63.9K
$0.96RON 4.19
284.38%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61Rp 27.8K
$1.54RON 6.73
4.55%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.69Rp 46.5K
$1.52RON 6.63
76.97%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.33Rp 40.4K
$2.25RON 9.82
3.56%
Potato(1kg)
$1.91Rp 33.0K
$0.84RON 3.68
127.38%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19Rp 37.9K
$1.02RON 4.43
114.71%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.06Rp 18.3K
$0.88RON 3.84
20.45%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72Rp 12.5K
$0.78RON 3.41
-7.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.13Rp 54.3K
$5.74RON 25.03
-45.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.49Rp 407.1K
$6.86RON 29.89
242.42%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.74Rp 47.5K
$1.09RON 4.76
151.38%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.88Rp 49.9K
$1.73RON 7.56
66.47%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rp 5,029
$0.72RON 3.12
-59.72%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.17Rp 141.6K
$20.13RON 87.8
-59.41%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 7,863
$0.70RON 3.07
-35.71%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.42Rp 7,305
$0.60RON 2.61
-30.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.16Rp 106.7K
$6.80RON 29.64
-9.41%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.84Rp 14.6K
$1.67RON 7.27
-49.70%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.2KRp 454.9M
$28.3KRON 123.4K
-7.30%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.5KRp 562.9M
$27.6KRON 120.3K
17.70%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$78.4Rp 1.4M
$93.4RON 407
-16.00%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$3.95Rp 68.5K
$3.55RON 15.47
11.27%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.40Rp 423.0K
$5.82RON 25.35
319.24%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$96.5Rp 1.7M
$41.67RON 182
131.68%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.35Rp 110.0K
$19.16RON 83.6
-66.86%
Cinema Ticket
$4.04Rp 70.0K
$11.12RON 48.47
-63.67%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$303Rp 5.2M
$327RON 1,428
-7.59%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,523Rp 113.1M
$6,466RON 28.2K
0.88%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$53.8Rp 933.1K
$68.1RON 297
-20.90%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.98Rp 658.3K
$17.31RON 75.5
119.41%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.8Rp 1.5M
$96.0RON 419
-9.62%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9Rp 1.4M
$34.81RON 152
126.54%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,012Rp 17.5M
$382RON 1,666
164.90%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$674Rp 11.7M
$291RON 1,268
131.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,390Rp 58.8M
$587RON 2,559
477.45%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,098Rp 36.4M
$430RON 1,873
388.35%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,985Rp 51.7M
$1,672RON 7,289
78.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,339Rp 40.5M
$1,534RON 6,689
52.47%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Roman
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$173Rp 3.0M
$911RON 3,973
-81.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
7.7
72.47%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026
Last update for Roman: April 27, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,012 in Ubud, Bali and $382 in Roman. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Roman pays 426% 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 $28.00 in Roman for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $298 vs $212 per month, with Roman 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 Roman: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roman cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Roman is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 46% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Ubud, Bali or Roman?
On paper, Roman earns 426% less. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
What is the rent difference between Ubud, Bali and Roman?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,012 in Ubud, Bali versus $382 in Roman. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Ubud, Bali and Roman?
Supermarket bills run roughly 41% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Ubud, Bali or Roman?
Dining out is cheaper in Roman – a meal for two runs $28.00 versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Ubud, Bali or Roman?
At $983 in Roman versus $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Roman but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Roman the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Ubud, Bali or Roman more family-friendly?
For families, Roman is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Ubud, Bali or Roman?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Roman 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Roman gentler on the wallet – expenses run 46% 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