Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and San Luis Obispo, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and San Luis Obispo, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,517 in San Luis Obispo, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,348 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $5,129 in San Luis Obispo, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $6,742 in San Luis Obispo, CA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 61% cheaper than San Luis Obispo, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and San Luis Obispo, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 0%, San Luis Obispo, CA by 157%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.44 Rp 60.9K
$21.86 $21.86
-84.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.31 Rp 643.0K
$60.1 $60.1
-39.62%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.71 Rp 101.0K
$11.80 $11.80
-51.61%
Cappuccino
$2.67 Rp 47.3K
$5.87 $5.87
-54.51%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 31.0K
$2.77 $2.77
-36.82%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 Rp 15.4K
$2.34 $2.34
-62.82%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 Rp 52.3K
$8.11 $8.11
-63.63%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 Rp 80.0K
$8.13 $8.13
-44.40%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 Rp 28.7K
$1.14 $1.14
42.11%
White Bread (500g)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$4.37 $4.37
-46.68%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 19.6K
$4.02 $4.02
-72.39%
Eggs
$2.20 Rp 39.0K
$4.50 $4.50
-51.11%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.69 Rp 313.3K
$15.67 $15.67
12.89%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.10 Rp 72.5K
$8.71 $8.71
-52.93%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 215.6K
$15.35 $15.35
-20.65%
Apples (1kg)
$3.71 Rp 65.6K
$3.81 $3.81
-2.62%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 Rp 28.1K
$1.98 $1.98
-19.70%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.4K
$3.30 $3.30
-30.91%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.95 Rp 34.6K
$3.25 $3.25
-40.00%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 33.7K
$2.77 $2.77
-31.05%
Onion (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.3K
$2.78 $2.78
-16.19%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 17.8K
$2.09 $2.09
-51.67%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 Rp 9,773
$1.95 $1.95
-71.79%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23 Rp 39.5K
$11.60 $11.60
-80.78%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.07 Rp 408.6K
$15.30 $15.30
50.78%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 Rp 42.8K
$1.75 $1.75
38.29%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 Rp 53.1K
$3.13 $3.13
-4.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,814
$1.87 $1.87
-85.56%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.98 Rp 159.1K
$61.1 $61.1
-85.29%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,566
$3.54 $3.54
-86.44%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,679
$2.78 $2.78
-84.53%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.64 Rp 99.9K
$30.48 $30.48
-81.50%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$1.40 $1.40
-42.86%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K Rp 441.7M
$37.1K $37.1K
-32.83%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 561.5M
$26.3K $26.3K
20.72%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.5 Rp 1.4M
$246 $246
-66.82%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 115.0K
$47.80 $47.80
-86.42%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.77 Rp 332.4K
$69.4 $69.4
-72.94%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 Rp 1.0M
$42.74 $42.74
33.06%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.73 Rp 331.7K
$50.3 $50.3
-62.73%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54 Rp 80.4K
$12.49 $12.49
-63.65%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$481 Rp 8.5M
$1,857 $1,857
-74.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,711 Rp 101.1M
$34.3K $34.3K
-83.33%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.52 Rp 806.0K
$60.4 $60.4
-24.67%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.88 Rp 635.4K
$49.17 $49.17
-27.03%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
$102 $102
-21.07%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7 Rp 1.4M
$101 $101
-22.26%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,115 Rp 19.7M
$2,642 $2,642
-57.81%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 Rp 12.4M
$2,090 $2,090
-66.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,637 Rp 64.4M
$5,027 $5,027
-27.66%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,737 Rp 30.8M
$3,703 $3,703
-53.08%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 49.3M
$7,396 $7,396
-62.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,290 Rp 40.5M
$6,685 $6,685
-65.75%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
San Luis Obispo, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$168 Rp 3.0M
$5,597 $5,597
-97.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6.1
125.90%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

Last update for San Luis Obispo, CA: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,115 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,642 in San Luis Obispo, 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 3231% higher in San Luis Obispo, 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 $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $60.0 in San Luis Obispo, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $295 vs $377 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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 Luis Obispo, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or San Luis Obispo, CA?
San Luis Obispo, CA costs about 157% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Ubud, Bali and in San Luis Obispo, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,052 per month in Ubud, Bali and $5,276 in San Luis Obispo, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or San Luis Obispo, 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.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali compared to San Luis Obispo, CA?
Public transport costs about 580% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in San Luis Obispo, CA?
Kindergarten costs $481 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,857 in San Luis Obispo, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in San Luis Obispo, CA?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,368, than in San Luis Obispo, CA at $3,517. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in San Luis Obispo, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or San Luis Obispo, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,368 versus $3,517 in San Luis Obispo, CA. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to San Luis Obispo, CA?
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.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or to San Luis Obispo, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, San Luis Obispo, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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