🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $708 in Xai-Xai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,119 in Xai-Xai versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,531 in Xai-Xai versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Xai-Xai costs roughly 50% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Xai-Xai is 47% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.13MZN 577
$3.45Rp 62.1K
164.64%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$49.45MZN 3,126
$32.34Rp 581.1K
52.91%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.31MZN 525
$4.84Rp 87.1K
71.69%
Cappuccino
$2.05MZN 129
$2.75Rp 49.4K
-25.45%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.75MZN 47.60
$1.38Rp 24.9K
-45.65%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.58MZN 36.96
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-22.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.36MZN 85.8
$2.99Rp 53.8K
-54.52%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.52MZN 96.0
$3.85Rp 69.2K
-60.52%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.51MZN 95.7
$1.74Rp 31.2K
-13.22%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06MZN 66.9
$2.46Rp 44.2K
-56.91%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.64MZN 103
$1.17Rp 21.0K
40.17%
Eggs
$2.38MZN 150
$2.43Rp 43.7K
-2.06%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$15.01MZN 949
$14.50Rp 260.6K
3.52%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.23MZN 331
$4.35Rp 78.2K
20.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.42MZN 343
$11.98Rp 215.3K
-54.76%
Apples(1kg)
$1.97MZN 124
$3.72Rp 66.8K
-47.04%
Banana(1kg)
$0.88MZN 55.8
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-46.01%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.41MZN 88.9
$2.74Rp 49.3K
-48.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.93MZN 58.8
$2.24Rp 40.3K
-58.48%
Potato(1kg)
$0.95MZN 60.0
$1.92Rp 34.5K
-50.52%
Onion(1kg)
$0.68MZN 42.77
$2.28Rp 40.9K
-70.18%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.90MZN 56.9
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-15.09%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.73MZN 46.33
$0.72Rp 12.9K
1.39%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.62MZN 166
$3.29Rp 59.0K
-20.36%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.83MZN 558
$23.19Rp 416.8K
-61.92%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.02MZN 64.4
$2.78Rp 49.9K
-63.31%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43MZN 90.6
$2.73Rp 49.1K
-47.62%
🚌 Getting Around
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,786
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.11Rp 145.7K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.59MZN 101
$0.48Rp 8,675
231.25%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$2.92MZN 185
$0.42Rp 7,545
595.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$24.28MZN 1,535
$6.22Rp 111.8K
290.35%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31MZN 82.8
$0.81Rp 14.6K
61.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$35.7KMZN 2.3M
$26.6KRp 478.2M
34.17%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.3KMZN 1.3M
$32.2KRp 578.5M
-36.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$91.2MZN 5,763
$78.4Rp 1.4M
16.34%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$14.49MZN 916
$4.07Rp 73.1K
256.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$106MZN 6,684
$24.33Rp 437.1K
334.53%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.34Rp 113.9K
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.94MZN 502
$3.99Rp 71.6K
99.00%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$178MZN 11.3K
$305Rp 5.5M
-41.48%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,805MZN 367.0K
$6,642Rp 119.4M
-12.60%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.82MZN 3,150
$54.1Rp 972.9K
-7.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$62.6MZN 3,959
$37.81Rp 679.4K
65.64%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$83.0MZN 5,245
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-4.46%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$79.4MZN 5,019
$76.4Rp 1.4M
3.98%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$992Rp 17.8M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$673Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,375Rp 60.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,805Rp 50.4M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,227Rp 40.0M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Xai-Xai
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$167Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
24.33
13.28
83.21%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Xai-Xai: July 12, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🛒Dining out: $49.00 in Xai-Xai vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries flip the comparison at $197 vs $297, with Xai-Xai 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
Xai-Xai vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Xai-Xai or Ubud, Bali?
Xai-Xai wins on cost – living expenses run 99% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Xai-Xai the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Xai-Xai and in Ubud, Bali?
You'd need roughly $1,062 in Xai-Xai and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Are groceries more expensive in Xai-Xai or in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 51% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Xai-Xai compared to Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $708 per month in Xai-Xai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – a 99% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,500/month in Xai-Xai or in Ubud, Bali?
At $708 in Xai-Xai versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Xai-Xai but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Xai-Xai the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Xai-Xai or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Xai-Xai delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $708 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Xai-Xai hard to pass up.
How safe is Xai-Xai compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Xai-Xai 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 Xai-Xai gentler on the wallet – expenses run 99% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.