🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,394 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,048 in Vista, CA.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,551 in Ubud, Bali versus $4,446 in Vista, CA.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,708 in Ubud, Bali versus $5,844 in Vista, CA.
🙂Living in Ubud, Bali costs roughly 54% less than in Vista, CA, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Ubud, Bali5% above, Vista, CA129% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40Rp 60.2K
$18.23$18.23
-81.35%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$32.38Rp 573.6K
$69.9$69.9
-53.70%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.00Rp 88.6K
$13.89$13.89
-64.00%
Cappuccino
$2.82Rp 50.0K
$5.16$5.16
-45.35%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.38Rp 24.4K
$2.45$2.45
-43.67%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.73Rp 13.0K
$1.52$1.52
-51.97%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.98Rp 52.8K
$7.15$7.15
-58.32%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.97Rp 70.3K
$7.84$7.84
-49.36%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.79Rp 31.8K
$1.00$1.00
79.00%
White Bread(500g)
$2.46Rp 43.7K
$3.88$3.88
-36.60%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20Rp 21.2K
$4.75$4.75
-74.74%
Eggs
$2.39Rp 42.3K
$3.66$3.66
-34.70%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$14.40Rp 255.1K
$9.01$9.01
59.82%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.28Rp 75.9K
$9.38$9.38
-54.37%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$11.82Rp 209.4K
$15.64$15.64
-24.42%
Apples(1kg)
$3.78Rp 67.0K
$4.53$4.53
-16.56%
Banana(1kg)
$1.63Rp 28.9K
$1.27$1.27
28.35%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.80Rp 49.6K
$5.04$5.04
-44.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.26Rp 40.0K
$2.20$2.20
2.73%
Potato(1kg)
$2.00Rp 35.3K
$3.28$3.28
-39.02%
Onion(1kg)
$2.21Rp 39.2K
$2.96$2.96
-25.34%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.07Rp 18.9K
$1.71$1.71
-37.43%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.76Rp 13.5K
$2.16$2.16
-64.81%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.13Rp 55.4K
$9.53$9.53
-67.16%
Wine(Bottle)
$23.81Rp 421.9K
$14.97$14.97
59.05%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.84Rp 50.3K
$2.01$2.01
41.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.78Rp 49.2K
$3.55$3.55
-21.69%
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.27Rp 4,726
$2.44$2.44
-88.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.37Rp 148.2K
-
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.45Rp 8,034
$6.71$6.71
-93.29%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.43Rp 7,578
$1.70$1.70
-74.71%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.98Rp 105.9K
$28.68$28.68
-79.15%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.80Rp 14.2K
$1.12$1.12
-28.57%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$25.8KRp 457.2M
$25.7K$25.7K
0.33%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.8KRp 563.4M
$22.0K$22.0K
44.81%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$80.7Rp 1.4M
$159$159
-49.19%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$4.14Rp 73.3K
$54.5$54.5
-92.40%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$24.12Rp 427.2K
$58.8$58.8
-58.99%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$97.8Rp 1.7M
$43.34$43.34
125.54%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.64Rp 117.7K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.04Rp 71.5K
$11.80$11.80
-65.76%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$297Rp 5.3M
$1,495$1,495
-80.13%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,590Rp 116.7M
$23.1K$23.1K
-71.45%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$55.1Rp 976.8K
$48.08$48.08
14.68%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$38.51Rp 682.1K
$33.64$33.64
14.48%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$86.1Rp 1.5M
$104$104
-17.48%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$78.0Rp 1.4M
$101$101
-22.63%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$985Rp 17.5M
$2,261$2,261
-56.42%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$665Rp 11.8M
$1,911$1,911
-65.21%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,446Rp 61.0M
$3,250$3,250
6.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,042Rp 36.2M
$3,278$3,278
-37.70%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,829Rp 50.1M
$5,638$5,638
-49.83%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,282Rp 40.4M
$5,663$5,663
-59.70%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Vista, CA
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$169Rp 3.0M
$3,961$3,961
-95.73%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
13.28
6.6
101.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 14, 2026
Last update for Vista, CA: June 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $985 in Ubud, Bali and $2,261 in Vista, CA. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Vista, CA pays 2240% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $32.00 in Ubud, Bali vs $70.0 in Vista, CA for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $299 vs $360 per month, with Ubud, Bali cheaper across the board.
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 Vista, CA: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Vista, CA?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 119% lower than in Vista, CA. 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 Vista, CA?
On paper, Vista, CA earns 2240% less. 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 vs Vista, CA?
Rent for a central apartment: $985 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,261 in Vista, CA. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Are groceries more expensive in Ubud, Bali or Vista, CA?
Supermarket bills run roughly 20% higher in Vista, CA. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Ubud, Bali compared to Vista, CA?
All in, you'll spend $1,394 per month in Ubud, Bali versus $3,048 in Vista, CA – a 119% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or Vista, CA?
At $1,394 in Ubud, Bali versus $3,048 in Vista, CA, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Vista, CA. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Ubud, Bali or Vista, CA?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,394 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Vista, CA?
Safety-wise, Ubud, Bali and Vista, CA are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 119% less than in Vista, CA. 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