Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and University Place, WA

For one person, living is cheaper in Ubud, Bali: $1,331 a month against $2,876 in University Place, WA, rent and utilities included – about $18,500 less a year. Rent and utilities account for about half of the difference.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
University Place, WA, United States
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
University Place, WA
🇺🇸 United States
$2,876
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Ubud, Bali and in University Place, WA

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 University Place, WA actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,331 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,876 in University Place, WA.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,331
  • University Place, WA $2,876

Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,255 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,279 in University Place, WA.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,255
  • University Place, WA $4,279

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,180 in Ubud, Bali versus $5,682 in University Place, WA.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,180
  • University Place, WA $5,682

Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 54% less than in University Place, WA, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in eating out.

The two cities straddle the global median: Ubud, Bali is 2% below, University Place, WA is 113% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.38 Rp 61.1K
$23.38 $23.38
-85.54%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.65 Rp 627.3K
$101 $101
-65.59%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.57 Rp 100.9K
$12.15 $12.15
-54.16%
Cappuccino
$2.62 Rp 47.4K
$6.08 $6.08
-56.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
$3.12 $3.12
-50.64%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
$3.14 $3.14
-79.62%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.67 Rp 48.3K
$7.93 $7.93
-66.33%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26 Rp 77.2K
$7.86 $7.86
-45.80%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.46 Rp 26.5K
$1.10 $1.10
32.73%
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 Rp 41.5K
$4.05 $4.05
-43.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 20.0K
$5.95 $5.95
-81.34%
Eggs
$2.10 Rp 38.0K
$4.97 $4.97
-57.75%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.94 Rp 288.6K
$16.11 $16.11
-1.06%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.88 Rp 70.3K
$18.19 $18.19
-78.67%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.40 Rp 206.4K
$23.33 $23.33
-51.14%
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 Rp 64.3K
$5.91 $5.91
-39.93%
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 27.8K
$1.77 $1.77
-12.99%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
$5.55 $5.55
-59.82%
Tomato (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.7K
$4.48 $4.48
-56.03%
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 Rp 33.6K
$3.48 $3.48
-46.55%
Onion (1kg)
$2.42 Rp 43.8K
$2.82 $2.82
-14.18%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 Rp 18.6K
$1.96 $1.96
-47.96%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 Rp 9,456
$3.06 $3.06
-83.01%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.20 Rp 39.8K
$12.43 $12.43
-82.30%
Wine (Bottle)
$21.79 Rp 394.4K
$18.17 $18.17
19.92%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 Rp 42.1K
$1.75 $1.75
33.14%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 Rp 53.8K
$4.95 $4.95
-40.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,533
$2.13 $2.13
-88.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.17 Rp 148.0K
$65.8 $65.8
-87.58%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,925
$2.66 $2.66
-83.46%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,472
$1.70 $1.70
-72.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.60 Rp 101.4K
$30.49 $30.49
-81.63%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
$1.45 $1.45
-42.76%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K Rp 442.6M
$27.9K $27.9K
-12.38%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 573.8M
$26.5K $26.5K
19.64%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
$233 $233
-66.75%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.14 Rp 111.2K
$68.7 $68.7
-91.06%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.92 Rp 342.4K
$88.6 $88.6
-78.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.0 Rp 923.1K
$39.56 $39.56
28.89%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.25 Rp 330.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 Rp 79.3K
$17.88 $17.88
-75.50%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$492 Rp 8.9M
$2,087 $2,087
-76.41%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K Rp 221.2M
$27.9K $27.9K
-56.17%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.16 Rp 817.6K
$60.3 $60.3
-25.15%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.89 Rp 631.6K
$44.90 $44.90
-22.29%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
$130 $130
-39.61%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
$127 $127
-38.92%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 Rp 19.5M
$1,573 $1,573
-31.49%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 Rp 12.0M
$1,280 $1,280
-48.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,510 Rp 63.5M
$2,599 $2,599
35.05%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,671 Rp 30.2M
$2,111 $2,111
-20.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,340 Rp 42.4M
$2,918 $2,918
-19.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,236 Rp 40.5M
$2,644 $2,644
-15.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
University Place, WA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$166 Rp 3.0M
$8,149 $8,149
-97.96%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
6.64
107.53%

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Last update for University Place, WA: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$665
University Place, WA
$1.3K 92.5% $615
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$279
University Place, WA
$505 80.6% $225
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$106
University Place, WA
$163 53.4% $57
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$106
University Place, WA
$377 256% $271
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$103
University Place, WA
$390 281% $288
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$60
University Place, WA
$75 26% $16
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$12
University Place, WA
$85 615% $73

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,078 in Ubud, Bali and $1,573 in University Place, WA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

University Place, WA pays about 49 times more on average. How far that income stretches comes down to housing choices and lifestyle.

Dining out: $35 in Ubud, Bali vs $101 in University Place, WA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $279 vs $505 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇺🇸 University Place, WA
🕒 Local time
23:58 11:58 PM
07:58 7:58 AM
16 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
34,866
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 University Place, WA 13,100 km ≈ 17 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • University Place, WA

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 University Place, WA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or University Place, WA?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 54% lower than in University Place, WA. Housing and daily spending are where you’ll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Ubud, Bali or in University Place, WA?
On paper, salaries run 98% lower in Ubud, Bali. That’s worth factoring in alongside costs, though remote workers earning in a stronger currency may not notice the difference at all.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Ubud, Bali compared to University Place, WA?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,078 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,573 in University Place, WA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Ubud, Bali and in University Place, WA?
Childcare runs $492 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,087 in University Place, WA. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or in University Place, WA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 81% higher in University Place, WA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in University Place, WA?
Both cities are expensive relative to $1,000. Ubud, Bali is the more realistic option, but even there you’ll need to be disciplined with housing, food, and fun money.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ubud, Bali or University Place, WA?
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.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to University Place, WA?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and University Place, WA are both considered safe, so it’s unlikely to be the deciding factor between them.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 54% less than in University Place, WA. 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

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