😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,644 in Umea versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,662 in Umea versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,680 in Umea versus $3,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Umea is roughly 20% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Umea20% above, Ubud, Bali0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.43SEK 152
$3.44Rp 60.9K
348.55%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$83.2SEK 820
$36.31Rp 643.0K
129.06%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.21SEK 120
$5.71Rp 101.0K
113.84%
Cappuccino
$4.05SEK 39.94
$2.67Rp 47.3K
51.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.34SEK 32.91
$1.75Rp 31.0K
90.86%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.52SEK 24.85
$0.87Rp 15.4K
189.66%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$8.67SEK 85.4
$2.95Rp 52.3K
193.90%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.38SEK 72.7
$4.52Rp 80.0K
63.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.77SEK 17.43
$1.62Rp 28.7K
9.26%
White Bread(500g)
$3.40SEK 33.49
$2.33Rp 41.3K
45.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$4.03SEK 39.72
$1.11Rp 19.6K
263.06%
Eggs
$3.99SEK 39.30
$2.20Rp 39.0K
81.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.50SEK 113
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-34.99%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$10.85SEK 107
$4.10Rp 72.5K
164.63%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$17.73SEK 175
$12.18Rp 215.6K
45.57%
Apples(1kg)
$2.54SEK 25.04
$3.71Rp 65.6K
-31.54%
Banana(1kg)
$2.23SEK 21.95
$1.59Rp 28.1K
40.25%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.75SEK 27.14
$2.28Rp 40.4K
20.61%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.26SEK 41.93
$1.95Rp 34.6K
118.46%
Potato(1kg)
$1.69SEK 16.63
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-11.52%
Onion(1kg)
$1.78SEK 17.55
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-23.61%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.45SEK 24.10
$1.01Rp 17.8K
142.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.36SEK 13.42
$0.55Rp 9,773
147.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$7.27SEK 71.6
$2.23Rp 39.5K
226.01%
Wine(Bottle)
$10.44SEK 103
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-54.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.32SEK 22.88
$2.42Rp 42.8K
-4.13%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41SEK 23.77
$3.00Rp 53.1K
-19.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.96SEK 29.14
$0.27Rp 4,814
996.30%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$59.2SEK 583
$8.98Rp 159.1K
558.91%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$7.31SEK 72.1
$0.48Rp 8,566
1422.92%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.70SEK 16.73
$0.43Rp 7,679
295.35%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$63.1SEK 622
$5.64Rp 99.9K
1019.50%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.71SEK 16.89
$0.80Rp 14.2K
113.75%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$34.3KSEK 337.6K
$24.9KRp 441.7M
37.36%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$34.4KSEK 339.4K
$31.7KRp 561.5M
8.62%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$88.3SEK 870
$81.5Rp 1.4M
8.38%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.13SEK 336
$6.49Rp 115.0K
425.89%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$27.20SEK 268
$18.77Rp 332.4K
44.91%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.8SEK 500
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-10.73%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$35.17SEK 347
$18.73Rp 331.7K
87.77%
Cinema Ticket
$16.76SEK 165
$4.54Rp 80.4K
269.16%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$143SEK 1,408
$481Rp 8.5M
-70.28%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$4,993SEK 49.2K
$5,711Rp 101.1M
-12.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$103SEK 1,016
$45.52Rp 806.0K
126.43%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$37.63SEK 371
$35.88Rp 635.4K
4.88%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$119SEK 1,174
$80.4Rp 1.4M
48.21%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$144SEK 1,423
$78.7Rp 1.4M
83.62%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$782SEK 7,705
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-29.85%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$529SEK 5,210
$698Rp 12.4M
-24.22%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,161SEK 11.4K
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-68.07%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$855SEK 8,425
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-50.79%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$4,710SEK 46.4K
$2,784Rp 49.3M
69.15%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$3,119SEK 30.7K
$2,290Rp 40.5M
36.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Umea
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,718SEK 26.8K
$168Rp 3.0M
1518.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
3.65
13.78
-73.51%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Umea: September 15, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $782 in Umea and $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Umea pays 1518% 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: $83.0 in Umea vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $356 vs $295 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
Umea vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Umea or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 20% lower than in Umea. 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 Umea or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 1518% higher in Umea, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Umea compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $782 in Umea versus $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do childcare costs compare in Umea and in Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $143 in Umea versus $481 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Are groceries more expensive in Umea or in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 21% higher in Umea. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Umea or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,368 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,644 in Umea, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Umea. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Umea or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,368 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Umea compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Umea and Ubud, Bali 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 20% less than in Umea. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.