๐A single person spends $1,408 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $2,572 in Swords, rent included.
๐A couple spends around $2,582 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $3,724 in Swords, rent included.
๐A family of three spends $3,757 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $4,876 in Swords, rent included.
๐Ubud, Bali is about 45% cheaper than Swords, driven mainly by Eating Out.
๐Both Ubud, Bali and Swords sit above the global median โ Ubud, Bali by 5%, Swords by 92%.
Currency
๐ฝ Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.42Rpย 58.7K
$18.36โฌ15.66
-81.37%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.96Rpย 566.5K
$94.5โฌ80.6
-65.12%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.08Rpย 87.3K
$10.48โฌ8.94
-51.53%
Cappuccino
$2.82Rpย 48.5K
$4.40โฌ3.75
-35.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.37Rpย 23.5K
$2.34โฌ2.00
-41.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.71Rpย 12.2K
$1.56โฌ1.33
-54.49%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.97Rpย 51.0K
$6.96โฌ5.93
-57.33%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.91Rpย 67.2K
$6.19โฌ5.28
-36.83%
๐ Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.75Rpย 30.0K
$1.45โฌ1.24
20.69%
White Bread(500g)
$2.52Rpย 43.2K
$2.12โฌ1.81
18.87%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.21Rpย 20.8K
$2.00โฌ1.71
-39.50%
Eggs
$2.33Rpย 40.1K
$4.03โฌ3.44
-42.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.50Rpย 249.2K
$11.28โฌ9.62
28.55%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.36Rpย 74.9K
$10.56โฌ9.01
-58.71%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$12.05Rpย 207.0K
$11.98โฌ10.22
0.58%
Apples(1kg)
$3.82Rpย 65.6K
$2.92โฌ2.49
30.82%
Banana(1kg)
$1.61Rpย 27.7K
$1.98โฌ1.69
-18.69%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.70Rpย 46.5K
$2.75โฌ2.35
-1.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.23Rpย 38.3K
$3.42โฌ2.92
-34.80%
Potato(1kg)
$1.90Rpย 32.6K
$1.38โฌ1.17
37.68%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18Rpย 37.5K
$1.43โฌ1.22
52.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03Rpย 17.7K
$1.34โฌ1.14
-23.13%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.77Rpย 13.3K
$1.66โฌ1.42
-53.61%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.18Rpย 54.7K
$19.62โฌ16.74
-83.79%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.23Rpย 399.2K
$14.15โฌ12.07
64.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.85Rpย 48.9K
$3.63โฌ3.10
-21.49%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.72Rpย 46.7K
$3.98โฌ3.40
-31.66%
๐ Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.29Rpย 5,022
$2.41โฌ2.06
-87.97%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.43Rpย 144.8K
$99.8โฌ85.2
-91.56%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.49Rpย 8,344
$4.87โฌ4.15
-89.94%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.45Rpย 7,812
$2.09โฌ1.78
-78.47%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.28Rpย 107.8K
$38.46โฌ32.80
-83.67%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.85Rpย 14.6K
$2.00โฌ1.71
-57.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$26.1KRpย 447.8M
$43.1Kโฌ36.8K
-39.58%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.5KRpย 541.8M
$39.8Kโฌ33.9K
-20.78%
๐งพ Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$79.8Rpย 1.4M
$280โฌ239
-71.56%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.09Rpย 70.3K
$23.23โฌ19.81
-82.39%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.06Rpย 413.6K
$54.3โฌ46.32
-55.70%
๐ Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$96.2Rpย 1.7M
$41.03โฌ35.00
134.44%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.53Rpย 112.2K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.13Rpย 71.1K
$14.12โฌ12.05
-70.75%
๐งธ Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$297Rpย 5.1M
$1,075โฌ917
-72.40%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,661Rpย 114.5M
$8,257โฌ7,044
-19.33%
๐๐ Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.0Rpย 944.5K
$90.9โฌ77.6
-39.56%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.75Rpย 666.0K
$39.66โฌ33.83
-2.29%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.6Rpย 1.5M
$99.8โฌ85.1
-10.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.9Rpย 1.4M
$106โฌ90.7
-25.77%
๐ Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,018Rpย 17.5M
$1,467โฌ1,252
-30.60%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$660Rpย 11.3M
$1,255โฌ1,070
-47.41%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,435Rpย 59.0M
$2,426โฌ2,069
41.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,053Rpย 35.3M
$1,979โฌ1,688
3.73%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,981Rpย 51.2M
$5,018โฌ4,281
-40.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,368Rpย 40.7M
$5,068โฌ4,323
-53.28%
๐ต Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Swords
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$172Rpย 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
4.04
228.71%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input โ minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 21, 2026
Last update for Swords: April 21, 2026
Cost Breakdown
๐ A central one-bedroom costs $1,018 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,467 in Swords. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
๐A mid-range dinner for two costs $33 in Ubud, Bali versus $95 in Swords. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $299 vs $324 โ 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 Swords: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Ubud, Bali and Swords compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, $2,572 in Swords โ roughly 83% apart. Swords costs more across the board, with Eating Out showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Ubud, Bali compared to Swords?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,112 per month in Ubud, Bali and $3,859 in Swords. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled โ not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Ubud, Bali and Swords?
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 do commuting costs compare in Ubud, Bali and Swords?
Public transport costs about 1084% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ubud, Bali and Swords?
Kindergarten costs $297 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,075 in Swords. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $1,000 per month?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,408, than in Swords at $2,572. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Swords it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Swords?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,408 in Ubud, Bali to $2,572 in Swords. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Ubud, Bali or Swords 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 โ central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
How do I decide between Ubud, Bali and Swords?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Swords makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.
Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared