Retiring in Ubud
Jungle ridges, rice terraces, the island's arts and yoga heart, and noticeably cooler evenings than the coast.
Jungle ridges, rice terraces and the island's arts-and-yoga heart, with noticeably cooler evenings than the coast. The wet season turns everything to mould, the centre is tourist-choked, and you're 1.5+ hours from the good hospitals and the beach.
Wellness-minded retirees who want green, cool, creative surroundings.
The wet season turns everything to mold, the town center is tourist-choked most of the year, and you're 1.5+ hours from the good hospitals and the beach.
Anyone who needs hospitals or a beach close, or hates damp and crowds.
What Ubud costs, measured against everywhere else
Of the 62 retiree bases we track across 17 countries, Ubud is the 20th cheapest — 19 are cheaper, 42 are dearer. It is the cheapest of the 3 we cover in Indonesia (Bali).
Rent runs about 36% of the budget — $600 of $1,650, leaving $1,050 a month for everything else.
Our Indonesia (Bali) page quotes $1,700 a month. Ubud lands within 5% of it, so the country figure is a fair guide here.
The same money in another country
Within 15% of Ubud's budget, one city per country. The cost barely moves; the tax, the visa and the standard of care do.
Indonesia (Bali) taxes you at 5–35% (worldwide on paper; lax in practice) and asks for E33F Retirement KITAS. That line, not the rent, decides the swap — and flight time from your own city decides the rest, which depends on the passport you hold.
Other retiree bases in Indonesia (Bali)
Ready to actually move to Indonesia (Bali)?
The city tells you where to live. The country guide tells you how to get there — the visa routes step by step, which hospitals to register with, insurance, and the first 90 days on the ground.
See the full Indonesia (Bali) relocation guide →Day-to-day Bali runs 50–65% cheaper than the US/UK, but Western-style villas, health insurance and anything imported close that gap fast.