😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,394 in Ubud, Bali versus $683 in Timbo.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,551 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,101 in Timbo.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,708 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,519 in Timbo.
🌍Living in Ubud, Bali is roughly 104% more expensive than in Timbo, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 5% above, Timbo is 49% below.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40Rp 60.6K
$4.48R$23.12
-24.11%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.38Rp 577.1K
$32.20R$166
0.56%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.00Rp 89.1K
$3.58R$18.46
39.66%
Cappuccino
$2.82Rp 50.3K
$1.84R$9.49
53.26%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38Rp 24.5K
$0.95R$4.92
45.26%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73Rp 13.0K
$0.61R$3.13
19.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.98Rp 53.2K
$1.67R$8.61
78.44%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97Rp 70.8K
$2.10R$10.83
89.05%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79Rp 32.0K
$0.78R$4.03
129.49%
White Bread(500g)
$2.46Rp 43.9K
$1.36R$7.03
80.88%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20Rp 21.4K
$0.83R$4.30
44.58%
Eggs
$2.39Rp 42.6K
$1.70R$8.78
40.59%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.40Rp 256.6K
$7.41R$38.26
94.33%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.28Rp 76.4K
$3.22R$16.63
32.92%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.82Rp 210.6K
$6.94R$35.84
70.32%
Apples(1kg)
$3.78Rp 67.4K
$1.67R$8.61
126.35%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63Rp 29.1K
$0.61R$3.13
167.21%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.80Rp 49.9K
$0.71R$3.64
294.37%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.26Rp 40.3K
$1.27R$6.54
77.95%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.6K
$0.87R$4.50
129.89%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.4K
$0.87R$4.49
154.02%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07Rp 19.1K
$0.59R$3.06
81.36%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76Rp 13.6K
$0.72R$3.73
5.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.13Rp 55.7K
$1.46R$7.55
114.38%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.81Rp 424.4K
$5.06R$26.11
370.55%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84Rp 50.6K
$1.00R$5.17
184.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 49.5K
$1.82R$9.38
52.75%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,755
$0.88R$4.56
-69.32%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.37Rp 149.1K
$38.07R$197
-78.01%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 8,082
$1.16R$5.99
-61.21%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,624
$0.67R$3.43
-35.82%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.98Rp 106.5K
$6.13R$31.65
-2.45%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.3K
$0.92R$4.75
-13.04%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.8KRp 459.9M
$18.7KR$96.5K
38.02%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KRp 566.8M
$24.8KR$127.9K
28.36%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.7Rp 1.4M
$52.3R$270
54.44%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.14Rp 73.7K
$11.57R$59.7
-64.22%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.12Rp 429.8K
$21.06R$109
14.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.8Rp 1.7M
$22.42R$116
335.99%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.64Rp 118.4K
$21.79R$112
-69.53%
Cinema Ticket
$4.04Rp 71.9K
$5.31R$27.40
-23.92%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$297Rp 5.3M
$215R$1,111
38.01%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,590Rp 117.4M
$2,549R$13.2K
158.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1Rp 982.6K
$28.72R$148
91.99%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.51Rp 686.2K
$36.59R$189
5.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.1Rp 1.5M
$53.2R$274
62.02%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0Rp 1.4M
$45.31R$234
72.04%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$985Rp 17.6M
$309R$1,597
218.34%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$665Rp 11.8M
$220R$1,137
201.83%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,446Rp 61.4M
$572R$2,954
502.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,042Rp 36.4M
$429R$2,213
376.40%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,829Rp 50.4M
$1,520R$7,847
86.06%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,282Rp 40.7M
$1,132R$5,844
101.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Timbo
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$169Rp 3.0M
$677R$3,492
-74.99%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
11
20.73%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 14, 2026
Last update for Timbo: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $985 in Ubud, Bali and $309 in Timbo. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Timbo pays 300% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $32.00 in Timbo. Groceries flip the comparison at $299 vs $146, with Timbo cheaper for home cooking.
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 Timbo: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Ubud, Bali and in Timbo?
Ubud, Bali and Timbo differ by about 104% in total monthly costs ($1,394 vs $683 including rent). Timbo is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city has better-paying jobs?
On paper, salaries run 300% lower in Timbo. That's worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How do apartment prices compare in Ubud, Bali and in Timbo?
Rent for a central apartment: $985 in Ubud, Bali versus $309 in Timbo. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Ubud, Bali and Timbo?
Childcare runs $297 in Ubud, Bali versus $215 in Timbo. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 105% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $683 in Timbo versus $1,394 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Timbo but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Timbo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Ubud, Bali and Timbo?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Ubud, Bali or Timbo safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Timbo are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Ubud, Bali or Timbo?
Expats usually find Timbo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 104% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.
Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared