Banda Aceh vs Ubud
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
Banda Aceh is approximately 118% less expensive than Ubud based on cost of living including rent. This makes Banda Aceh a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Banda Aceh has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 66.68, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Banda Aceh is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
Side by side
Best in rowIndonesia
Banda Aceh
Indonesia
Ubud
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is a cheap place to live and not much else: a one-bedroom in the center runs $250/mo, an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $2, and the cost of living index sits at 31/100. The catch is everything that money cannot buy here, since healthcare quality is poor, English proficiency is limited, and there are no popular expat neighborhoods to land in. Add a retiree score of 44/100 and a digital nomad score of 58/100, and this is a city for someone who wants low costs and quiet more than community or convenience. Go if you are self-sufficient and patient; skip it if you need doctors, English, or a built-in social scene.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
The two cities are closely matched — lifestyle preference and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
Banda Aceh is approximately 118% less expensive than Ubud based on cost of living including rent. This makes Banda Aceh a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Banda Aceh has a FIRE Score of 74/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 66.68, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Banda Aceh is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Banda Aceh
Banda Aceh is a cheap place to live and not much else: a one-bedroom in the center runs $250/mo, an inexpensive restaurant meal costs $2, and the cost of living index sits at 31/100. The catch is everything that money cannot buy here, since healthcare quality is poor, English proficiency is limited, and there are no popular expat neighborhoods to land in. Add a retiree score of 44/100 and a digital nomad score of 58/100, and this is a city for someone who wants low costs and quiet more than community or convenience. Go if you are self-sufficient and patient; skip it if you need doctors, English, or a built-in social scene.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,662/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
About Ubud
Ubud is a bargain for renters who can live on local wages, but the numbers expose the catch: a $168/mo average net salary cannot touch $544/mo city-center rent, so this town runs on foreign income, not local opportunity. The $2,000/mo income floor on both the Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS) and the Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) tells you exactly who Ubud is built for. Internet at 20 Mbps and a 57/100 digital nomad score make remote work possible but not painless, and healthcare rated only Fair is the real long-term risk. Come for the $3 meals and $2 cappuccinos, stay only if you have a first-world paycheck and a high tolerance for humid, monsoon-soaked air.
About Indonesia
Skip this if you need English-speaking doctors or a fast path to citizenship, both weak here. But budget retirees can live well on $429.70/mo excl. rent plus sub-$320 rent, and the $2,000/mo Retirement KITAS is achievable. Best suited for low-cost-focused retirees, not remote workers facing the $387/mo nomad visa threshold.
$2,264/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
Compare income thresholds, fees and residency paths for routes in these countries.
Compare visa routes in this countryBattle of Lifestyles
Scroll to compare
| Metric | Banda Aceh | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $250 | $544.43 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $150 | $406.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $500 | $1935.77 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $320 | $1395.99 |
| Safety Index | 66.68 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 45Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Banda Aceh | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $338/mo | $736/mo |
| Excluding rent | $188/mo | $329/mo |
| Rent | $150/mo | $407/mo |
| Groceries | $82.00/mo | $113/mo |
| Dining out | $22.00/mo | $28.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $24.00/mo | $83.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $60.00/mo | $105/mo |
| Transport | N/A | N/A |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
Planning a move to Ubud? Make sure you have the right visa.
Answer 11 questions and get a personalized visa match in under 2 minutes.
Find my visa →Compare any two visa routes.
Income thresholds, fees, processing time and residency paths, side by side. Search by country, including Indonesia and Indonesia.
Compare visas →Explore Indonesia
Banda Aceh vs Ubud -- Frequently Asked Questions
Click any question to expand the answer.
Resources for Moving to Ubud
Find hotels in Ubud
Search and compare hotel prices across hundreds of booking sites.
Search hotels →Short-term rentals in Ubud
Browse vacation rentals while you scout neighborhoods for a long-term lease.
Browse rentals →Tours and activities in Ubud
Discover top attractions, day trips, and unique experiences.
Explore activities →eSIM for Ubud
Get connected the moment you land. No physical SIM needed.
Get eSIM →VPN for secure browsing in Ubud
Protect your data and access geo-restricted content while traveling.
Get NordVPN →