🙂A single person spends $379 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $563 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $747 per month in Bahir Dar vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Bahir Dar is about 73% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Bahir Dar sits 72% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.52ETB 558
$3.45Rp 61.8K
2.03%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.34Rp 578.5K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.84Rp 86.7K
-
Cappuccino
$0.97ETB 154
$2.75Rp 49.1K
-64.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.38ETB 60.6
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-72.46%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.49ETB 77.0
$0.75Rp 13.4K
-34.67%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.73ETB 115
$2.99Rp 53.5K
-75.59%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06ETB 326
$3.85Rp 68.9K
-46.49%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.02ETB 162
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-41.38%
White Bread(500g)
$0.99ETB 157
$2.46Rp 44.0K
-59.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99ETB 157
$1.17Rp 20.9K
-15.38%
Eggs
$1.70ETB 270
$2.43Rp 43.5K
-30.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$14.50Rp 259.5K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.35Rp 77.8K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$10.19ETB 1,615
$11.98Rp 214.3K
-14.94%
Apples(1kg)
$2.91ETB 462
$3.72Rp 66.5K
-21.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.98ETB 156
$1.63Rp 29.1K
-39.88%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.03ETB 322
$2.74Rp 49.1K
-25.91%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.76ETB 121
$2.24Rp 40.1K
-66.07%
Potato(1kg)
$0.62ETB 97.9
$1.92Rp 34.3K
-67.71%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17ETB 186
$2.28Rp 40.7K
-48.68%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98ETB 156
$1.06Rp 19.0K
-7.55%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.51ETB 81.4
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-29.17%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.29Rp 58.8K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$4.08ETB 646
$23.19Rp 414.9K
-82.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.78ETB 124
$2.78Rp 49.7K
-71.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.95ETB 309
$2.73Rp 48.9K
-28.57%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,765
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.11Rp 145.0K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.48Rp 8,636
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.51ETB 80.9
$0.42Rp 7,511
21.43%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.97ETB 313
$6.22Rp 111.3K
-68.33%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.03ETB 163
$0.81Rp 14.6K
27.16%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.6KRp 476.1M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.2KRp 575.9M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100ETB 15.9K
$78.4Rp 1.4M
28.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$10.06ETB 1,595
$4.07Rp 72.8K
147.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.33Rp 435.2K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$49.45ETB 7,838
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-49.85%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$60.7ETB 9,627
$6.34Rp 113.3K
858.04%
Cinema Ticket
$6.10ETB 967
$3.99Rp 71.3K
52.88%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$49.33ETB 7,819
$305Rp 5.5M
-83.83%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,642Rp 118.8M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$49.82ETB 7,897
$54.1Rp 968.6K
-7.98%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$37.81Rp 676.3K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$992Rp 17.7M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$673Rp 12.0M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,375Rp 60.4M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,050Rp 36.7M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,023ETB 320.7K
$2,805Rp 50.2M
-27.85%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,485ETB 235.3K
$2,227Rp 39.8M
-33.34%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$203ETB 32.2K
$167Rp 3.0M
21.86%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.28
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Bahir Dar: July 12, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 22% 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 272% 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 $568 per month in Bahir Dar and $2,112 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 $379 in Bahir Dar and $1,408 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 139% 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 $379, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. 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 $379 versus $1,408 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.