🙂A single person spends $373 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $573 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $772 per month in Bahir Dar vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Bahir Dar is about 73% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Bahir Dar sits 73% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.40ETB 546
$3.37Rp 59.7K
0.89%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$38.59Rp 682.4K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.52Rp 97.6K
-
Cappuccino
$1.01ETB 163
$2.64Rp 46.8K
-61.74%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.41ETB 66.3
$1.67Rp 29.6K
-75.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51ETB 82.3
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-33.77%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.74ETB 119
$2.63Rp 46.6K
-71.86%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95ETB 313
$4.28Rp 75.7K
-54.44%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.98ETB 157
$1.55Rp 27.3K
-36.77%
White Bread(500g)
$0.97ETB 156
$2.22Rp 39.3K
-56.31%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.02ETB 164
$1.13Rp 19.9K
-9.73%
Eggs
$1.71ETB 275
$2.09Rp 36.9K
-18.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$17.39Rp 307.6K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$3.87Rp 68.4K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.83ETB 1,579
$12.55Rp 221.9K
-21.67%
Apples(1kg)
$3.08ETB 495
$3.62Rp 63.9K
-14.92%
Banana(1kg)
$1.01ETB 163
$1.56Rp 27.6K
-35.26%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03ETB 326
$2.35Rp 41.6K
-13.62%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.78ETB 125
$2.06Rp 36.4K
-62.14%
Potato(1kg)
$0.64ETB 103
$1.90Rp 33.6K
-66.32%
Onion(1kg)
$1.16ETB 187
$2.34Rp 41.3K
-50.43%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.03ETB 165
$1.03Rp 18.2K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52ETB 83.7
$0.55Rp 9,809
-5.45%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.25Rp 39.8K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$3.96ETB 636
$23.81Rp 421.0K
-83.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.78ETB 125
$2.31Rp 40.9K
-66.23%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.94ETB 312
$2.80Rp 49.5K
-30.71%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,816
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.66Rp 153.2K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.48Rp 8,515
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.49ETB 78.3
$0.45Rp 7,887
8.89%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.05ETB 329
$5.72Rp 101.1K
-64.16%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.99ETB 159
$0.76Rp 13.4K
30.26%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.5KRp 433.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.1KRp 568.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100ETB 16.1K
$83.6Rp 1.5M
19.88%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.81ETB 1,575
$6.46Rp 114.2K
51.86%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.99Rp 335.9K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.32ETB 7,920
$56.0Rp 989.8K
-11.88%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$59.3ETB 9,523
$18.62Rp 329.2K
218.47%
Cinema Ticket
$5.85ETB 940
$4.28Rp 75.7K
36.68%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.73ETB 7,986
$487Rp 8.6M
-89.78%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,856Rp 103.6M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.08ETB 7,883
$45.56Rp 805.6K
7.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$36.38Rp 643.3K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$82.0Rp 1.4M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$701Rp 12.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,537Rp 62.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,762Rp 31.2M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,995ETB 320.4K
$2,826Rp 50.0M
-29.40%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,505ETB 241.8K
$2,292Rp 40.5M
-34.31%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$202ETB 32.5K
$170Rp 3.0M
19.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.78
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahir Dar: August 30, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 19% higher in Bahir Dar, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
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
Bahir Dar vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Bahir Dar or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 274% more than Bahir Dar, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Bahir Dar and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $560 per month in Bahir Dar and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How much does it cost to live in Bahir Dar compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $373 in Bahir Dar and $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Bahir Dar or in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 137% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Bahir Dar or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $373, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. In Bahir Dar it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Bahir Dar or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Bahir Dar costs $373 versus $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Bahir Dar compared to Ubud, Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Should I move to Bahir Dar or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Bahir Dar. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.