Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Serrai Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Serrai

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,368 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,315 in Serrai, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,348 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,954 in Serrai, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,327 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,592 in Serrai, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 4% more than Serrai, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Ubud, Bali sits 0% above the global median, while Serrai is 4% below – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.44 Rp 60.8K
$15.74 €13.64
-78.14%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.31 Rp 642.1K
$46.85 €40.60
-22.50%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.71 Rp 100.9K
$11.54 €10.00
-50.52%
Cappuccino
$2.67 Rp 47.2K
$3.66 €3.17
-27.05%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.75 Rp 30.9K
$2.42 €2.10
-27.69%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.87 Rp 15.4K
$0.60 €0.52
45.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.95 Rp 52.2K
$5.62 €4.87
-47.51%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.52 Rp 79.9K
$5.88 €5.10
-23.13%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.62 Rp 28.6K
$1.46 €1.27
10.96%
White Bread (500g)
$2.33 Rp 41.2K
$1.58 €1.37
47.47%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 19.6K
$1.95 €1.69
-43.08%
Eggs
$2.20 Rp 38.9K
$4.37 €3.78
-49.66%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.69 Rp 312.8K
$12.47 €10.81
41.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.10 Rp 72.4K
$9.95 €8.62
-58.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.18 Rp 215.3K
$11.50 €9.97
5.91%
Apples (1kg)
$3.71 Rp 65.5K
$2.47 €2.14
50.20%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 Rp 28.1K
$1.88 €1.63
-15.43%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.4K
$1.39 €1.21
64.03%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.95 Rp 34.5K
$1.58 €1.37
23.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.91 Rp 33.7K
$1.15 €1.00
66.09%
Onion (1kg)
$2.33 Rp 41.2K
$1.23 €1.06
89.43%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.01 Rp 17.8K
$0.88 €0.76
14.77%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.55 Rp 9,759
$0.42 €0.37
30.95%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.23 Rp 39.5K
$5.27 €4.57
-57.69%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.07 Rp 408.0K
$9.17 €7.94
151.58%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.42 Rp 42.8K
$2.06 €1.78
17.48%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.00 Rp 53.0K
$2.28 €1.98
31.58%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,807
$1.71 €1.48
-84.21%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.98 Rp 158.9K
$49.96 €43.30
-82.03%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,554
$3.77 €3.26
-87.27%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,668
$1.13 €0.98
-61.95%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.64 Rp 99.8K
$12.30 €10.66
-54.15%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.80 Rp 14.2K
$2.10 €1.82
-61.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.9K Rp 441.1M
$25.3K €21.9K
-1.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 560.7M
$27.4K €23.8K
15.66%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$81.5 Rp 1.4M
$231 €201
-64.81%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.49 Rp 114.8K
$17.63 €15.28
-63.19%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.77 Rp 331.9K
$30.26 €26.22
-37.97%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$56.9 Rp 1.0M
$29.09 €25.21
95.50%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.73 Rp 331.2K
$29.53 €25.59
-36.57%
Cinema Ticket
$4.54 Rp 80.2K
$8.05 €6.98
-43.60%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$481 Rp 8.5M
$491 €425
-2.07%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,711 Rp 101.0M
$7,495 €6,495
-23.80%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.52 Rp 804.9K
$45.94 €39.81
-0.91%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$35.88 Rp 634.5K
$34.44 €29.84
4.18%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$80.4 Rp 1.4M
$109 €94.2
-26.03%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.7 Rp 1.4M
$80.2 €69.5
-1.91%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,115 Rp 19.7M
$345 €299
223.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$698 Rp 12.3M
$276 €239
152.72%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,637 Rp 64.3M
$472 €409
670.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,737 Rp 30.7M
$406 €352
327.57%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,784 Rp 49.2M
$1,000 €867
178.35%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,290 Rp 40.5M
$701 €608
226.42%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Serrai
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$168 Rp 3.0M
$1,202 €1,042
-86.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
3.6
282.78%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

Last update for Serrai: September 13, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,115 in Ubud, Bali versus $345 in Serrai. 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 615% higher in Serrai, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $47.00 in Serrai. Groceries tell a different story – $295 in Ubud, Bali vs $262 in Serrai – so Serrai wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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 Serrai: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Serrai?
Ubud, Bali costs about 4% more than Serrai, 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 Serrai?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,052 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,972 in Serrai. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Serrai?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Serrai, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Serrai?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,368 in Ubud, Bali and $1,315 in Serrai. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali compared to Serrai?
Public transport costs about 456% less in Serrai. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Serrai?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Serrai, where all-in costs run around $1,315, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Serrai it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Serrai?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Serrai costs $1,315 versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Serrai?
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 Serrai?
If budget matters most, go with Serrai. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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