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 $898 per month in Boroko vs $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,289 per month in Boroko vs $2,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,680 per month in Boroko vs $3,275 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Boroko is about 35% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Boroko sits 35% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$7.21 PGK 31.27

$3.33 Rp 58.7K

116.52%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.26 PGK 157

$35.82 Rp 630.7K

1.23%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.77 PGK 25.04

$5.63 Rp 99.1K

2.49%

Cappuccino

$2.45 PGK 10.65

$2.82 Rp 49.7K

-13.12%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.77 PGK 3.36

$1.75 Rp 30.8K

-56.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.65 PGK 2.84

$0.80 Rp 14.0K

-18.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.77 PGK 12.03

$3.04 Rp 53.6K

-8.88%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.71 PGK 16.11

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

-13.72%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.57 PGK 6.80

$1.61 Rp 28.3K

-2.48%

White Bread (500g)

$1.18 PGK 5.12

$2.27 Rp 39.9K

-48.02%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.24 PGK 5.38

$1.17 Rp 20.6K

5.98%

Eggs

$3.68 PGK 15.96

$2.17 Rp 38.2K

69.59%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$5.21 PGK 22.59

$17.63 Rp 310.5K

-70.45%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$5.23 PGK 22.68

$4.05 Rp 71.4K

29.14%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$6.47 PGK 28.10

$12.18 Rp 214.5K

-46.88%

Apples (1kg)

$4.03 PGK 17.48

$3.62 Rp 63.7K

11.33%

Banana (1kg)

$3.10 PGK 13.45

$1.64 Rp 28.8K

89.02%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.80 PGK 12.15

$2.31 Rp 40.6K

21.21%

Tomato (1kg)

$2.79 PGK 12.11

$1.96 Rp 34.5K

42.35%

Potato (1kg)

$2.99 PGK 12.97

$1.84 Rp 32.5K

62.50%

Onion (1kg)

$0.86 PGK 3.72

$2.37 Rp 41.7K

-63.71%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.12 PGK 4.86

$1.05 Rp 18.5K

6.67%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.46 PGK 2.00

$0.54 Rp 9,560

-14.81%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$5.70 PGK 24.74

$2.30 Rp 40.6K

147.83%

Wine (Bottle)

$5.03 PGK 21.85

$23.08 Rp 406.4K

-78.21%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.10 PGK 4.77

$2.34 Rp 41.2K

-52.99%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.63 PGK 7.06

$3.07 Rp 54.0K

-46.91%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.47 PGK 2.05

$0.25 Rp 4,365

88.00%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$30.65 PGK 133

$9.42 Rp 165.9K

225.37%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.58 PGK 19.89

$0.49 Rp 8,631

834.69%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.32 PGK 5.73

$0.47 Rp 8,349

180.85%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$11.29 PGK 48.99

$5.60 Rp 98.6K

101.61%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.81 PGK 3.51

$0.81 Rp 14.2K

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$21.0K PGK 91.2K

$25.0K Rp 440.3M

-16.00%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$17.9K PGK 77.6K

$31.1K Rp 547.0M

-42.46%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$64.0 PGK 278

$82.7 Rp 1.5M

-22.63%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$23.80 PGK 103

$6.49 Rp 114.2K

266.72%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$92.3 PGK 401

$18.79 Rp 330.8K

391.33%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$43.35 PGK 188

$55.2 Rp 972.6K

-21.52%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$14.52 PGK 63.0

$18.21 Rp 320.6K

-20.26%

Cinema Ticket

$6.61 PGK 28.68

$4.30 Rp 75.7K

53.72%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$337 PGK 1,462

$494 Rp 8.7M

-31.84%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$2,276 PGK 9,876

$5,917 Rp 104.2M

-61.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$33.26 PGK 144

$46.28 Rp 814.8K

-28.13%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$13.70 PGK 59.4

$36.44 Rp 641.6K

-62.40%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$45.48 PGK 197

$80.7 Rp 1.4M

-43.64%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$26.86 PGK 117

$78.8 Rp 1.4M

-65.91%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,436 PGK 14.9K

$1,114 Rp 19.6M

208.44%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$224 PGK 974

$693 Rp 12.2M

-67.64%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,317 PGK 14.4K

$3,639 Rp 64.1M

-8.83%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$223 PGK 968

$1,712 Rp 30.1M

-86.97%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,761 Rp 48.6M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,293 Rp 40.4M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$365 PGK 1,582

$167 Rp 2.9M

118.15%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.78

-20.17%

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

Last update for Boroko: September 7, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $3,436 in Boroko versus $1,114 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 118% 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 $36.00 in Boroko versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $212 vs $294 – making Boroko the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Ubud, Bali costs about 53% 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.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,348 per month in Boroko and $2,067 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

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.

Kindergarten costs $337 per month in Boroko and $494 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 39% 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.

A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Boroko, where all-in costs run around $898, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,378. In Boroko it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Boroko costs $898 versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

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.

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.