Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Stanford, CA

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,331 a month against $2,547 in Stanford, CA, rent and utilities included – about $14,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Stanford, CA, United States
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
Stanford, CA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,547
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Stanford, 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 Stanford, CA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,331 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,547 in Stanford, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,331
  • Stanford, CA $2,547

A couple spends around $2,255 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,705 in Stanford, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,255
  • Stanford, CA $3,705

A family of three spends $3,180 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,863 in Stanford, CA, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,180
  • Stanford, CA $4,863

Ubud, Bali is about 48% cheaper than Stanford, CA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Ubud, Bali sits 2% below the global median, while Stanford, CA is 88% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.38 Rp 61.1K
$15.13 $15.13
-77.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.65 Rp 627.3K
$74.3 $74.3
-53.33%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.57 Rp 100.9K
$6.96 $6.96
-19.97%
Cappuccino
$2.62 Rp 47.4K
$3.05 $3.05
-14.10%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
$2.03 $2.03
-24.14%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
$1.22 $1.22
-47.54%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.67 Rp 48.3K
$6.05 $6.05
-55.87%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26 Rp 77.2K
$5.02 $5.02
-15.14%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.46 Rp 26.5K
$1.42 $1.42
2.82%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 Rp 41.5K
$3.39 $3.39
-32.45%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 20.0K
$4.34 $4.34
-74.42%
Eggs
$2.10 Rp 38.0K
$4.27 $4.27
-50.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.94 Rp 288.6K
$11.33 $11.33
40.69%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.88 Rp 70.3K
$13.08 $13.08
-70.34%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.40 Rp 206.4K
$16.91 $16.91
-32.58%
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 Rp 64.3K
$4.75 $4.75
-25.26%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 27.8K
$2.21 $2.21
-30.32%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
$4.05 $4.05
-44.94%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.7K
$4.60 $4.60
-57.17%
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 Rp 33.6K
$3.18 $3.18
-41.51%
Onion (1kg)
$2.42 Rp 43.8K
$2.95 $2.95
-17.97%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 Rp 18.6K
$2.39 $2.39
-57.32%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 Rp 9,456
$2.37 $2.37
-78.06%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.20 Rp 39.8K
$11.98 $11.98
-81.64%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.79 Rp 394.4K
$15.34 $15.34
42.05%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 Rp 42.1K
$1.74 $1.74
33.91%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 Rp 53.8K
$3.84 $3.84
-22.66%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,533
$1.92 $1.92
-86.98%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.17 Rp 148.0K
$64.5 $64.5
-87.33%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,925
$3.12 $3.12
-85.90%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,472
$1.75 $1.75
-73.14%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.60 Rp 101.4K
$31.64 $31.64
-82.30%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
$1.49 $1.49
-44.30%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K Rp 442.6M
$28.3K $28.3K
-13.47%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 573.8M
$26.7K $26.7K
18.83%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
$247 $247
-68.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.14 Rp 111.2K
$42.25 $42.25
-85.47%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.92 Rp 342.4K
$68.4 $68.4
-72.35%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.0 Rp 923.1K
$40.57 $40.57
25.68%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.25 Rp 330.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 Rp 79.3K
$14.94 $14.94
-70.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$492 Rp 8.9M
$2,089 $2,089
-76.43%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K Rp 221.2M
$31.9K $31.9K
-61.68%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.16 Rp 817.6K
$37.63 $37.63
20.01%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.89 Rp 631.6K
$39.06 $39.06
-10.68%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
$49.15 $49.15
59.35%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
$122 $122
-36.21%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 Rp 19.5M
$1,585 $1,585
-32.01%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 Rp 12.0M
$1,282 $1,282
-48.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,510 Rp 63.5M
$2,576 $2,576
36.27%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,671 Rp 30.2M
$2,123 $2,123
-21.29%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,340 Rp 42.4M
$2,407 $2,407
-2.77%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,236 Rp 40.5M
$2,403 $2,403
-6.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Stanford, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$166 Rp 3.0M
$5,060 $5,060
-96.71%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6.51
111.67%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Last update for Stanford, CA: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$665
Stanford, CA
$1.3K 92.8% $617
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$279
Stanford, CA
$409 46.5% $130
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$106
Stanford, CA
$112 4.9% $5.2
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$106
Stanford, CA
$232 119% $126
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$103
Stanford, CA
$358 249% $255
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$60
Stanford, CA
$70 17.9% $11
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$12
Stanford, CA
$84 603% $72

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,078 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,585 in Stanford, CA. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries in Stanford, CA are about 30 times higher. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $35 in Ubud, Bali versus $74 in Stanford, CA. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $279 vs $409 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇺🇸 Stanford, CA
🕒 Local time
23:43 11:43 PM
07:43 7:43 AM
16 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
13,809
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 18,103 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.52 USD). 1 EUR = 20,331 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.92 EUR).

United States Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Stanford, CA 13,440 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Stanford, 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 Stanford, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Stanford, CA?
Stanford, CA costs about 91% more than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Stanford, CA?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,996 per month in Ubud, Bali and $3,821 in Stanford, CA. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Stanford, CA?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $1,078 there versus $1,585 in Stanford, CA.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Stanford, CA?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $1,331 in Ubud, Bali and $2,547 in Stanford, CA. That makes Ubud, Bali about 48% cheaper.
How expensive is transport in Ubud, Bali compared to Stanford, CA?
Public transport costs about 87% less in Ubud, Bali. 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 Stanford, CA?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,331 in Ubud, Bali and $2,547 in Stanford, CA. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Stanford, CA?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,331 versus $2,547 in Stanford, CA. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Stanford, CA?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Should I move to Ubud, Bali or to Stanford, CA?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries or specific career opportunities are the priority, Stanford, CA makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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