🙂A single person spends $372 per month in Bahir Dar vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $560 per month in Bahir Dar vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $748 per month in Bahir Dar vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Bahir Dar is about 74% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Bahir Dar sits 72% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.60ETB 567
$3.56Rp 63.7K
1.12%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.73Rp 584.5K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.95Rp 88.4K
-
Cappuccino
$1.02ETB 161
$2.71Rp 48.4K
-62.36%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.42ETB 65.9
$1.34Rp 24.0K
-68.66%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.48ETB 76.3
$0.70Rp 12.5K
-31.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.78ETB 123
$2.92Rp 52.1K
-73.29%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99ETB 313
$3.96Rp 70.7K
-49.75%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.01ETB 160
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-44.20%
White Bread(500g)
$1.01ETB 160
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-59.92%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.99ETB 156
$1.16Rp 20.7K
-14.66%
Eggs
$1.76ETB 277
$2.46Rp 43.9K
-28.46%
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.32Rp 77.1K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$9.96ETB 1,569
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-17.96%
Apples(1kg)
$2.94ETB 463
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-23.44%
Banana(1kg)
$1.02ETB 160
$1.56Rp 27.8K
-34.62%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97ETB 310
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-30.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.77ETB 122
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-66.95%
Potato(1kg)
$0.67ETB 105
$1.91Rp 34.2K
-64.92%
Onion(1kg)
$1.17ETB 185
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-46.82%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.98ETB 155
$1.01Rp 18.1K
-2.97%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52ETB 81.6
$0.78Rp 13.8K
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.32Rp 59.2K
-
Wine(Bottle)
$4.03ETB 636
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-83.02%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.77ETB 121
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-72.40%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.98ETB 313
$2.86Rp 51.1K
-30.77%
🚌 Getting Around
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.27Rp 4,800
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.03Rp 143.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.46Rp 8,150
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.52ETB 81.2
$0.45Rp 8,037
15.56%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.98ETB 312
$6.10Rp 108.9K
-67.54%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.02ETB 160
$0.79Rp 14.2K
29.11%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.1KRp 467.0M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.1KRp 573.6M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$100ETB 15.8K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
25.69%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.90ETB 1,560
$4.06Rp 72.6K
143.84%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$23.52Rp 420.0K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$50.5ETB 7,963
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-48.80%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$59.1ETB 9,311
$6.63Rp 118.4K
791.10%
Cinema Ticket
$5.97ETB 941
$4.15Rp 74.1K
43.86%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.3ETB 7,927
$304Rp 5.4M
-83.45%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,613Rp 118.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.9ETB 8,024
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-8.34%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$675Rp 12.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,032ETB 320.3K
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-28.47%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,514ETB 238.6K
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-33.12%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bahir Dar
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$198ETB 31.2K
$165Rp 3.0M
19.96%
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Salaries run about 20% 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 282% 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 vs Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $557 per month in Bahir Dar and $2,129 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 $372 in Bahir Dar and $1,419 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 Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 143% 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 Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Bahir Dar, where all-in costs run around $372, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. 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 $372 versus $1,419 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 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.