Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,348 a month against $4,047 in San Diego, CA, rent and utilities included – about $32,400 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,348
/mo nomad
San Diego, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$4,047
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in San Diego, CA

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Ubud, Bali and in San Diego, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,348 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,047 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,348
  • San Diego, CA $4,047

A couple spends around $2,312 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $6,129 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,312
  • San Diego, CA $6,129

A family of three spends $3,276 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $8,211 in San Diego, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,276
  • San Diego, CA $8,211

Ubud, Bali is about 67% cheaper than San Diego, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

Both Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 1%, San Diego, CA by 202%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.33 Rp 59.6K
$24.60 $24.60
-86.46%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.42 Rp 633.1K
$100 $100
-64.66%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.76 Rp 102.9K
$13.54 $13.54
-57.46%
Cappuccino
$2.63 Rp 47.0K
$6.02 $6.02
-56.31%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74 Rp 31.0K
$3.04 $3.04
-42.76%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.77 Rp 13.8K
$2.70 $2.70
-71.48%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.71 Rp 48.4K
$8.03 $8.03
-66.25%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 Rp 80.8K
$10.95 $10.95
-58.72%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.53 Rp 27.4K
$1.32 $1.32
15.91%
White Bread (500g)
$2.20 Rp 39.2K
$5.53 $5.53
-60.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.22 Rp 21.8K
$4.94 $4.94
-75.30%
Eggs
$2.14 Rp 38.2K
$7.00 $7.00
-69.43%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.73 Rp 316.9K
$17.47 $17.47
1.49%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.86 Rp 68.9K
$14.44 $14.44
-73.27%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.03 Rp 215.0K
$20.69 $20.69
-41.86%
Apples (1kg)
$3.61 Rp 64.5K
$4.73 $4.73
-23.68%
Banana (1kg)
$1.51 Rp 27.1K
$1.93 $1.93
-21.76%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.32 Rp 41.4K
$4.45 $4.45
-47.87%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.00 Rp 35.8K
$5.11 $5.11
-60.86%
Potato (1kg)
$1.81 Rp 32.4K
$3.17 $3.17
-42.90%
Onion (1kg)
$2.39 Rp 42.7K
$2.60 $2.60
-8.08%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 17.8K
$2.14 $2.14
-53.74%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 Rp 9,373
$2.07 $2.07
-74.88%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.18 Rp 39.0K
$11.73 $11.73
-81.42%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.98 Rp 410.7K
$16.61 $16.61
38.35%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.40 Rp 42.8K
$2.16 $2.16
11.11%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 Rp 53.6K
$3.23 $3.23
-7.12%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 Rp 4,255
$2.48 $2.48
-90.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$6.99 Rp 125.0K
$71.0 $71.0
-90.16%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,876
$3.06 $3.06
-85.62%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,582
$2.05 $2.05
-79.51%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.45 Rp 97.4K
$27.65 $27.65
-80.29%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.84 Rp 15.1K
$1.63 $1.63
-48.47%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.3K Rp 434.8M
$37.0K $37.0K
-34.25%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.9K Rp 570.0M
$25.7K $25.7K
24.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$80.8 Rp 1.4M
$255 $255
-68.30%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.58 Rp 117.6K
$74.5 $74.5
-91.16%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.24 Rp 326.1K
$86.3 $86.3
-78.85%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$55.1 Rp 985.4K
$71.3 $71.3
-22.67%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.51 Rp 330.9K
$24.19 $24.19
-23.48%
Cinema Ticket
$4.24 Rp 75.9K
$19.86 $19.86
-78.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$486 Rp 8.7M
$1,938 $1,938
-74.94%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,676 Rp 101.5M
$36.8K $36.8K
-84.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.18 Rp 807.6K
$66.2 $66.2
-31.73%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.57 Rp 617.9K
$55.0 $55.0
-37.13%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.2 Rp 1.4M
$114 $114
-30.50%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.6 Rp 1.4M
$147 $147
-47.36%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,127 Rp 20.1M
$3,255 $3,255
-65.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$674 Rp 12.1M
$2,381 $2,381
-71.69%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,618 Rp 64.7M
$5,549 $5,549
-34.80%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,735 Rp 31.0M
$4,363 $4,363
-60.25%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,829 Rp 50.6M
$8,042 $8,042
-64.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,307 Rp 41.2M
$6,489 $6,489
-64.45%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
San Diego, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$166 Rp 3.0M
$4,856 $4,856
-96.59%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6.7
105.67%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 5, 2026

Last update for San Diego, CA: October 5, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$674
San Diego, CA
$2.4K 253% $1.7K
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$290
San Diego, CA
$480 65.5% $190
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$108
San Diego, CA
$395 265% $287
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$106
San Diego, CA
$172 61.7% $66
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$106
San Diego, CA
$416 294% $310
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$64
San Diego, CA
$111 74.5% $47
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$11
San Diego, CA
$94 797% $84

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,127 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,255 in San Diego, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 2831% higher in San Diego, CA, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $100 in San Diego, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $290 vs $480 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇺🇸 San Diego, CA
🕒 Local time
16:53 4:53 PM
01:53 1:53 AM
15 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
1,386,932
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 USD = 17,875 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.59 USD). 1 EUR = 20,048 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.99 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of October 10, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.892 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali San Diego, CA 14,010 km ≈ 18 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • San Diego, CA

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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 San Diego, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in San Diego, CA compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,348 in Ubud, Bali, $4,047 in San Diego, CA – roughly 200% apart. Outside of rent, the biggest gap is in eating out.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to San Diego, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,022 per month in Ubud, Bali and $6,071 in San Diego, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA?
Kindergarten costs $486 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,938 in San Diego, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 65% more in San Diego, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,348, than in San Diego, CA at $4,047. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Diego, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA?
It depends on your priorities. San Diego, CA has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,348 in Ubud, Bali to $4,047 in San Diego, CA. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or San Diego, CA safer for residents?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Ubud, Bali and San Diego, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Diego, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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