Side-by-side city decision # Hangzhou vs Ubud. A direct comparison of monthly costs, connectivity, safety, quality of life and remote-work fit. Share comparison Copy link HangzhouChina4/6 VS UbudIndonesia1/6 $1,165Hangzhou monthly budget $1,290Ubud monthly budget 220 MbpsHangzhou internet 55 MbpsUbud internet Decision summary Hangzhou Hangzhou leads on more of the six headline signals. Cost Best budget Hangzhou Speed Fastest internet Hangzhou Vibe Best nomad vibe Tie Safety Highest safety Hangzhou Air Cleanest air Ubud Walk Most walkable Hangzhou Quick read ## Two cities at a glance The headline numbers before you examine the full comparison. [Hangzhou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/hangzhou.md) China 4/6 Budget$1,165 Internet220 Mbps Vibe8/10 [Ubud](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/ubud.md) Indonesia 1/6 Budget$1,290 Internet55 Mbps Vibe8/10 Full comparison ## Compare what matters Green marks the stronger numeric result. Text-only categories are presented without a winner. Differences only ### Monthly budget and costs 7 signals MetricHangzhouUbud Total estimated budget $1,165 $1,290 1-bed center rent $620 $750 Coworking desk $180 $180 Local meal $4.2 $2.2 Cappuccino $4.1 $2.8 Gym membership $55 $55 Transport budget $35 $80 ### Work and infrastructure 2 signals MetricHangzhouUbud Internet speed 220 Mbps 55 Mbps Nomad vibe 8/10 8/10 ### Quality of life 5 signals MetricHangzhouUbud Safety index 82/100 72/100 Air quality 68/100 76/100 Walkability 7/10 5/10 Female safety 8/10 7/10 LGBTQ+ friendly 5/10 7/10 ### Culture and climate 4 signals MetricHangzhouUbud Healthcare quality Good Good English proficiency Basic Good Climate type Humid subtropical monsoon Tropical monsoon Best time to visit Mar - May May - Sep Beyond the numbers ## What each city asks you to trade Costs and scores help narrow the choice. These practical strengths and limitations finish the picture. [Hangzhou](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/china/hangzhou.md) China → ### Strengths * Fast, affordable metro system and extensive bike sharing * Excellent mobile payments and app-based daily services * Strong fiber and 5G connectivity * Scenic West Lake, parks, canals, and nearby hiking * Lower living costs than Shanghai with a major-city feel * Large technology sector and modern urban infrastructure ### Trade-offs * Most everyday services require Chinese-language apps * Internet restrictions require planning for international work tools * Summer heat, humidity, and rain can be intense * English is limited outside international hotels and offices * Foreign cards may not work everywhere without setup * There is no dedicated digital nomad visa ### Common visa routes * L tourist visa * M business visa * Z work visa [Ubud](https://jobicy.com/cost-of-living/indonesia/ubud.md) Indonesia → ### Strengths * Large and welcoming remote-worker community * Excellent cafés, wellness studios, and coworking options * Affordable local food and services * Lush rice-field scenery and Balinese culture * Strong cashless payment adoption * Year-round warm weather ### Trade-offs * Severe scooter traffic on main roads * Sidewalks are limited and inconsistent * Rents rise sharply in popular central areas * Rainy-season humidity and occasional flooding * Tap water is not safe to drink * Construction noise is common ### Common visa routes * Visa on Arrival / e-VOA for eligible nationalities * B211A visit visa * E33G remote worker visa Reading the result ## Use this as a planning benchmark The headline score compares six directional signals. It does not weight personal priorities, visa eligibility, household size or individual lifestyle choices. Costs are monthly estimates, not guaranteed prices. Higher is better for quality scores and connectivity. Lower is better for budgets and individual expenses.