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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,373 in Shuwaikh, rent included.

A couple spends around $2,585 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,323 in Shuwaikh, rent included.

A family of three spends $3,763 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,274 in Shuwaikh, rent included.

Ubud, Bali costs about 3% more than Shuwaikh, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Both Ubud, Bali and Shuwaikh sit above the global median – Ubud, Bali by 5%, Shuwaikh by 3%.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.45 Rp 62.1K
$9.93 KWD 3.08
-65.26%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.34 Rp 581.1K
$81.4 KWD 25.23
-60.28%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.84 Rp 87.1K
$8.76 KWD 2.71
-44.75%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.40 KWD 0.74
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.70 KWD 1.15
-
Cappuccino
$2.75 Rp 49.4K
$5.93 KWD 1.84
-53.63%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38 Rp 24.9K
$0.65 KWD 0.20
112.31%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
$0.34 KWD 0.11
120.59%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.99 Rp 53.8K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.85 Rp 69.2K
-
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.74 Rp 31.2K
$1.63 KWD 0.51
6.75%
White Bread (500g)
$2.46 Rp 44.2K
$1.28 KWD 0.40
92.19%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
$1.80 KWD 0.56
-35.00%
Eggs
$2.43 Rp 43.7K
$2.13 KWD 0.66
14.08%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$14.50 Rp 260.6K
$5.15 KWD 1.60
181.55%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.35 Rp 78.2K
$6.47 KWD 2.01
-32.77%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.98 Rp 215.3K
$10.34 KWD 3.21
15.86%
Apples (1kg)
$3.72 Rp 66.8K
$2.38 KWD 0.74
56.30%
Banana (1kg)
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
$1.97 KWD 0.61
-17.26%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.74 Rp 49.3K
$1.82 KWD 0.56
50.55%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.24 Rp 40.3K
$1.45 KWD 0.45
54.48%
Potato (1kg)
$1.92 Rp 34.5K
$1.29 KWD 0.40
48.84%
Onion (1kg)
$2.28 Rp 40.9K
$1.27 KWD 0.39
79.53%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
$1.62 KWD 0.50
-34.57%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
$0.45 KWD 0.14
60.00%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
-
$3.25 KWD 1.01
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$1.01 KWD 0.31
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.34 KWD 0.42
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.29 Rp 59.0K
$2.93 KWD 0.91
12.29%
Wine (Bottle)
$23.19 Rp 416.8K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.27 Rp 4,786
$0.83 KWD 0.26
-67.47%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.11 Rp 145.7K
$43.84 KWD 13.59
-81.50%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 Rp 8,675
$3.25 KWD 1.01
-85.23%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.42 Rp 7,545
$3.29 KWD 1.02
-87.23%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$6.22 Rp 111.8K
$16.54 KWD 5.13
-62.39%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
$0.34 KWD 0.10
138.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.6K Rp 478.2M
$21.3K KWD 6,596
25.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.2K Rp 578.5M
$19.6K KWD 6,072
64.28%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
$63.2 KWD 19.59
23.91%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.07 Rp 73.1K
$18.50 KWD 5.73
-78.00%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.33 Rp 437.1K
$25.43 KWD 7.88
-4.33%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
$94.3 KWD 29.22
4.57%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.34 Rp 113.9K
$47.15 KWD 14.61
-86.55%
Cinema Ticket
$3.99 Rp 71.6K
$11.28 KWD 3.50
-64.63%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$305 Rp 5.5M
$396 KWD 123
-22.88%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$6,642 Rp 119.4M
$6,546 KWD 2,029
1.47%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$54.1 Rp 972.9K
$42.18 KWD 13.07
28.35%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.81 Rp 679.4K
$41.86 KWD 12.97
-9.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
$89.2 KWD 27.65
-2.69%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
$82.4 KWD 25.53
-7.31%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$992 Rp 17.8M
$787 KWD 244
26.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$673 Rp 12.1M
$618 KWD 192
8.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,375 Rp 60.7M
$1,605 KWD 497
110.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
$1,287 KWD 399
59.31%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,805 Rp 50.4M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,227 Rp 40.0M
-
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Shuwaikh
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$167 Rp 3.0M
$4,157 KWD 1,288
-95.98%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.28
7.14
85.99%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Last update for Shuwaikh: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $992 in Ubud, Bali versus $787 in Shuwaikh. 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 2390% higher in Shuwaikh, 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 $32.00 in Ubud, Bali versus $81.0 in Shuwaikh. Groceries tell a different story – $297 in Ubud, Bali vs $180 in Shuwaikh – so Shuwaikh 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 Shuwaikh: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and in Shuwaikh compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, $1,373 in Shuwaikh – roughly 3% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Groceries & Markets showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Shuwaikh?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $2,059 in Shuwaikh. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Shuwaikh?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Shuwaikh, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Groceries cost about 65% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Which city has cheaper restaurants?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali and $81.0 in Shuwaikh. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Shuwaikh, where all-in costs run around $1,373, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Shuwaikh it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Shuwaikh?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,373 in Shuwaikh to $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Shuwaikh 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 Shuwaikh?
If budget matters most, go with Shuwaikh. 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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