Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Santa Monica, CA Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Santa Monica, CA

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,419 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,561 in Santa Monica, CA, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,540 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $6,985 in Santa Monica, CA, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,660 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $9,408 in Santa Monica, CA, rent included.

Ubud, Bali is about 69% cheaper than Santa Monica, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both Ubud, Bali and Santa Monica, CA sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 6%, Santa Monica, CA by 240%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$3.56 Rp 63.7K

$25.17 $25.17

-85.86%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.73 Rp 584.5K

$98.5 $98.5

-66.76%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.95 Rp 88.4K

$12.35 $12.35

-59.92%

Cappuccino

$2.71 Rp 48.4K

$5.59 $5.59

-51.52%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.34 Rp 24.0K

$2.95 $2.95

-54.58%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.70 Rp 12.5K

$2.26 $2.26

-69.03%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.92 Rp 52.1K

$8.61 $8.61

-66.09%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.96 Rp 70.7K

$9.24 $9.24

-57.14%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.81 Rp 32.3K

$1.18 $1.18

53.39%

White Bread (500g)

$2.52 Rp 45.0K

$4.29 $4.29

-41.26%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.16 Rp 20.7K

$4.37 $4.37

-73.46%

Eggs

$2.46 Rp 43.9K

$6.99 $6.99

-64.81%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$14.71 Rp 262.7K

$12.47 $12.47

17.96%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$4.32 Rp 77.1K

$13.90 $13.90

-68.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$12.14 Rp 216.7K

$14.69 $14.69

-17.36%

Apples (1kg)

$3.84 Rp 68.6K

$5.60 $5.60

-31.43%

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 Rp 27.8K

$1.98 $1.98

-21.21%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.83 Rp 50.6K

$3.96 $3.96

-28.54%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.33 Rp 41.5K

$5.72 $5.72

-59.27%

Potato (1kg)

$1.91 Rp 34.2K

$2.97 $2.97

-35.69%

Onion (1kg)

$2.20 Rp 39.3K

$2.51 $2.51

-12.35%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 Rp 18.1K

$1.90 $1.90

-46.84%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.78 Rp 13.8K

$2.16 $2.16

-63.89%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.32 Rp 59.2K

$10.97 $10.97

-69.74%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.74 Rp 423.9K

$15.15 $15.15

56.70%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.79 Rp 49.8K

$2.52 $2.52

10.71%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.86 Rp 51.1K

$5.15 $5.15

-44.47%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,800

$2.18 $2.18

-87.61%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.03 Rp 143.4K

$78.8 $78.8

-89.81%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.46 Rp 8,150

$3.07 $3.07

-85.02%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.45 Rp 8,037

$1.71 $1.71

-73.68%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.10 Rp 108.9K

$28.91 $28.91

-78.90%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.79 Rp 14.2K

$1.30 $1.30

-39.23%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$26.1K Rp 467.0M

$24.4K $24.4K

7.39%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$32.1K Rp 573.6M

$25.2K $25.2K

27.68%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$79.9 Rp 1.4M

$192 $192

-58.31%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$4.06 Rp 72.6K

$58.9 $58.9

-93.11%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.52 Rp 420.0K

$65.8 $65.8

-64.23%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.7 Rp 1.8M

$122 $122

-19.12%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.63 Rp 118.4K

$45.04 $45.04

-85.28%

Cinema Ticket

$4.15 Rp 74.1K

$18.15 $18.15

-77.13%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$304 Rp 5.4M

$1,806 $1,806

-83.17%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,613 Rp 118.1M

$14.8K $14.8K

-55.41%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$55.5 Rp 991.8K

$62.3 $62.3

-10.88%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.31 Rp 684.1K

$34.90 $34.90

9.77%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.6 Rp 1.6M

$103 $103

-13.86%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$77.9 Rp 1.4M

$152 $152

-48.90%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 Rp 18.0M

$3,293 $3,293

-69.43%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$675 Rp 12.1M

$2,878 $2,878

-76.53%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,442 Rp 61.5M

$6,994 $6,994

-50.79%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,039 Rp 36.4M

$5,951 $5,951

-65.73%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,841 Rp 50.7M

$10.8K $10.8K

-73.77%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,264 Rp 40.4M

$8,190 $8,190

-72.36%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$165 Rp 3.0M

$7,147 $7,147

-97.69%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

6.49

104.62%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026

Last update for Santa Monica, CA: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,006 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,293 in Santa Monica, 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 4225% higher in Santa Monica, 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 $33.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $98.0 in Santa Monica, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $302 vs $436 – 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 Santa Monica, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Santa Monica, CA is pricier by about 221%, and the gap shows up most in Eating Out. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,129 per month in Ubud, Bali and $6,842 in Santa Monica, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $304 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,806 in Santa Monica, CA. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 44% more in Santa Monica, CA, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,419, than in Santa Monica, CA at $4,561. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Santa Monica, CA it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Ubud, Bali – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Santa Monica, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.