Mataram vs Ubud: Which City Wins for Expats in 2026?
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.
Ubud is approximately 9.7x more expensive than Mataram based on cost of living including rent. This makes Mataram a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
Mataram has a FIRE Score of 83/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 78, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: Mataram is ideal for GeoArbitragers and remote workers looking to maximize savings.
About Mataram
Mataram is a cheap place to live, but only if you earn outside Indonesia. A one-bedroom outside the center runs $134/mo and a mid-range restaurant meal for two costs $9, yet the average local net salary is $223/mo, so the $2,000/mo income floor on the Indonesia Retirement Visa (KITAS) and Indonesia Remote Worker Visa (E33G) tells you exactly who this city is built for. The 81/100 overall expat score and 83/100 FIRE score are strong, and a safety index of 78/100 with a crime index of 22/100 makes daily life feel easy. The catch is infrastructure and community: 28 Mbps internet, fair healthcare, a small expat scene, and a hot, humid climate with a heavy wet season from November to March.
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.
$2,652/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.
$2,280/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | Mataram | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $55.84 | $544.43 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $134.01 | $406.81 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $450 | $1935.77 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $335.04 | $1395.99 |
| Safety Index | 78 | 70 |
| Internet Speed | 28Mbps | 20Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | Mataram | Ubud |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | N/A | $736/mo |
| Excluding rent | N/A | $329/mo |
| Rent | N/A | $407/mo |
| Groceries | N/A | $113/mo |
| Dining out | N/A | $28.00/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | N/A | $83.00/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | N/A | $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.
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Mataram vs Ubud -- Frequently Asked Questions
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