Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Thiruvananthapuram

For one person, living is cheaper in Thiruvananthapuram: $383 a month against $1,349 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $11,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Thiruvananthapuram, India
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,349
/mo nomad
Thiruvananthapuram
🇮🇳 India
$383
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in Thiruvananthapuram

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 Thiruvananthapuram actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $1,349 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $383 in Thiruvananthapuram, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,349
  • Thiruvananthapuram $383

A couple spends around $2,305 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $609 in Thiruvananthapuram, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,305
  • Thiruvananthapuram $609

A family of three spends $3,261 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $834 in Thiruvananthapuram, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,261
  • Thiruvananthapuram $834

Ubud, Bali costs about 252% more than Thiruvananthapuram, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.32 Rp 60.3K
$2.57 ₹244
29.18%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$35.64 Rp 646.5K
$10.35 ₹982
244.35%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.53 Rp 100.4K
$3.52 ₹334
57.10%
Cappuccino
$2.72 Rp 49.3K
$1.84 ₹175
47.83%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.70 Rp 30.9K
$0.40 ₹37.65
325.00%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.76 Rp 13.8K
$0.17 ₹16.41
347.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.65 Rp 48.1K
$2.12 ₹201
25.00%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.38 Rp 79.5K
$2.68 ₹255
63.43%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
$0.56 ₹53.4
166.07%
White Bread (500g)
$2.28 Rp 41.3K
$0.54 ₹51.4
322.22%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
$0.62 ₹58.7
91.94%
Eggs
$2.04 Rp 36.9K
$0.88 ₹83.8
131.82%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$17.70 Rp 321.1K
$5.45 ₹518
224.77%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.96 Rp 71.9K
$2.82 ₹268
40.43%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.19 Rp 221.1K
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$3.66 Rp 66.3K
$2.25 ₹214
62.67%
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 Rp 27.5K
$0.79 ₹74.8
92.41%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
$1.14 ₹108
95.61%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.8K
$0.48 ₹45.74
310.42%
Potato (1kg)
$1.85 Rp 33.5K
$0.47 ₹44.91
293.62%
Onion (1kg)
$2.42 Rp 44.0K
$0.46 ₹44.04
426.09%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
$0.52 ₹49.49
90.38%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51 Rp 9,313
$0.28 ₹26.26
82.14%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.22 Rp 40.3K
$4.50 ₹427
-50.67%
Wine (Bottle)
$22.24 Rp 403.4K
$5.35 ₹508
315.70%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.26 Rp 41.0K
$1.80 ₹171
25.56%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 Rp 53.9K
$3.06 ₹291
-2.94%
Buffalo Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) (1kg)
-
$5.00 ₹474
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,553
$0.12 ₹11.42
108.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$7.82 Rp 141.9K
$3.00 ₹284
160.67%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,972
$1.75 ₹166
-74.86%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.43 Rp 7,801
$0.25 ₹23.47
72.00%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.41 Rp 98.1K
$2.62 ₹249
106.49%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.82 Rp 15.0K
$1.12 ₹106
-26.79%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.8K Rp 432.4M
$11.3K ₹1.1M
111.55%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 575.9M
$30.4K ₹2.9M
4.55%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
$34.39 ₹3,265
129.89%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.45 Rp 116.9K
$3.32 ₹315
94.28%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.58 Rp 337.0K
$7.69 ₹730
141.61%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$49.48 Rp 897.5K
$14.29 ₹1,357
246.26%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$17.65 Rp 320.1K
$7.88 ₹748
123.98%
Cinema Ticket
$4.27 Rp 77.5K
$2.13 ₹202
100.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$491 Rp 8.9M
$37.93 ₹3,601
1193.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,674 Rp 102.9M
$2,094 ₹198.8K
170.99%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$44.64 Rp 809.7K
$21.91 ₹2,080
103.74%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.95 Rp 634.0K
$18.18 ₹1,726
92.24%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
$37.36 ₹3,547
113.87%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.4 Rp 1.4M
$27.31 ₹2,593
190.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,125 Rp 20.4M
$149 ₹14.2K
653.37%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$671 Rp 12.2M
$90.3 ₹8,573
643.62%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,565 Rp 64.7M
$313 ₹29.7K
1038.50%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,723 Rp 31.3M
$204 ₹19.4K
742.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,732 Rp 49.5M
$782 ₹74.2K
249.54%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,284 Rp 41.4M
$513 ₹48.7K
345.16%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Thiruvananthapuram
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$164 Rp 3.0M
$238 ₹22.6K
-31.20%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
10.31
33.66%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 25, 2026

Last update for Thiruvananthapuram: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$672
Thiruvananthapuram
$90 86.6% $581
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$288
Thiruvananthapuram
$104 63.9% $184
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$108
Thiruvananthapuram
$71 33.7% $36
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$108
Thiruvananthapuram
$47 56.2% $60
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$104
Thiruvananthapuram
$45 56.4% $59
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$58
Thiruvananthapuram
$19 68% $39
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$11
Thiruvananthapuram
$6.5 43.4% $5

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,125 in Ubud, Bali versus $149 in Thiruvananthapuram. 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 45% higher in Thiruvananthapuram, 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 in Ubud, Bali versus $10 in Thiruvananthapuram. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $288 vs $104 – making Thiruvananthapuram the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇮🇳 Thiruvananthapuram
🕒 Local time
08:37 8:37 AM
06:07 6:07 AM
2 h 30 min behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
744,983
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

INR, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18,138 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,252 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

Indian Rupee exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 94.94 INR (100 INR = 1.05 USD). 1 EUR = 106 INR (1,000 INR = 9.43 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Thiruvananthapuram 4,650 km ≈ 6 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Thiruvananthapuram

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 Thiruvananthapuram: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Thiruvananthapuram?
Ubud, Bali costs about 252% more than Thiruvananthapuram, 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 Thiruvananthapuram?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $2,023 per month in Ubud, Bali and $575 in Thiruvananthapuram. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Thiruvananthapuram?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Thiruvananthapuram, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $149 there versus $1,125 in Ubud, Bali.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in Thiruvananthapuram?
Kindergarten costs $491 per month in Ubud, Bali and $38 in Thiruvananthapuram. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or in Thiruvananthapuram?
Groceries cost about 177% more in Ubud, Bali, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Can you live on $800/month in Ubud, Bali or in Thiruvananthapuram?
A $800 monthly budget goes further in Thiruvananthapuram, where all-in costs run around $383, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,349. In Thiruvananthapuram 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 Thiruvananthapuram?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Thiruvananthapuram costs $383 versus $1,349 in Ubud, Bali. Both appeal to remote workers, and the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Thiruvananthapuram?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
For expats, Thiruvananthapuram is the easier option financially – housing and daily costs are lower, and overall it costs about 72% less, which matters a lot on a fixed budget or early-career salary.

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