Cost of Living Comparison Between Boroko and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Boroko and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,120 per month in Boroko vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,557 per month in Boroko vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,995 per month in Boroko vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Boroko is about 20% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Boroko sits 16% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$7.78 PGK 34.23
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
125.51%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$37.91 PGK 167
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
17.22%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.83 PGK 25.65
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
20.45%
Cappuccino
$2.26 PGK 9.94
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
-17.82%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.74 PGK 3.27
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-46.38%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81 PGK 3.55
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
8.00%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.38 PGK 10.48
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
-20.40%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.13 PGK 18.18
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
7.27%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.70 PGK 7.48
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
-2.30%
White Bread (500g)
$1.31 PGK 5.75
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-46.75%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.32 PGK 5.82
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
12.82%
Eggs
$3.84 PGK 16.92
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
58.02%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.31 PGK 18.96
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-70.28%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$6.35 PGK 27.93
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
45.98%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$6.98 PGK 30.71
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
-41.74%
Apples (1kg)
$4.10 PGK 18.04
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
10.22%
Banana (1kg)
$2.80 PGK 12.32
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
71.78%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.03 PGK 13.32
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
10.58%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.86 PGK 12.60
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
27.68%
Potato (1kg)
$3.06 PGK 13.47
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
59.38%
Onion (1kg)
$0.92 PGK 4.07
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-59.65%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 PGK 5.22
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
12.26%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 PGK 2.19
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-30.56%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.88 PGK 25.89
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
78.72%
Wine (Bottle)
$5.16 PGK 22.70
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-77.75%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.23 PGK 5.42
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-55.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.73 PGK 7.60
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-36.63%
🚌 Getting Around
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.50 PGK 2.21
$0.27 Rp 4,778
85.19%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$31.82 PGK 140
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
292.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.83 PGK 21.26
$0.48 Rp 8,659
906.25%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.44 PGK 6.35
$0.42 Rp 7,532
242.86%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$11.97 PGK 52.7
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
92.44%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.86 PGK 3.77
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
6.17%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.5K PGK 98.9K
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
-15.51%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$24.2K PGK 106.4K
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
-24.85%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$66.3 PGK 292
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-15.37%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$48.00 PGK 211
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
1079.36%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$245 PGK 1,076
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
905.01%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$44.74 PGK 197
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-54.63%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.49 PGK 68.2
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
144.32%
Cinema Ticket
$7.14 PGK 31.43
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
78.95%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$361 PGK 1,589
$305 Rp 5.5M
18.37%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,361 PGK 10.4K
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
-64.46%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$31.74 PGK 140
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-41.37%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$14.69 PGK 64.6
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
-61.15%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$47.45 PGK 209
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-45.36%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$28.24 PGK 124
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-63.01%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,624 PGK 15.9K
$992 Rp 17.8M
265.36%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$236 PGK 1,037
$673 Rp 12.1M
-64.97%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,612 PGK 15.9K
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
7.03%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$237 PGK 1,045
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-88.42%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Boroko
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$360 PGK 1,584
$167 Rp 3.0M
115.64%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
11
13.28
-17.17%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Boroko: July 12, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,624 in Boroko versus $992 in Ubud, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 116% higher in Boroko, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $38.00 in Boroko versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $222 in Boroko vs $297 in Ubud, Bali – so Boroko wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

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
Boroko vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Boroko or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 26% more than Boroko, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. 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 Boroko and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,679 per month in Boroko and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Boroko or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Boroko, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do childcare costs compare in Boroko and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $361 per month in Boroko and $305 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Are groceries more expensive in Boroko or in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 34% 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 Boroko or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Boroko, where all-in costs run around $1,120, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Boroko 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, Boroko or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Boroko costs $1,120 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 Boroko 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 Boroko or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Boroko. 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.

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