Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Bosaso and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Bosaso: $319 a month against $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $12,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Bosaso
🇸🇴 Somalia
$319
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,368
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Bosaso and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Bosaso and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Monthly costs for one person with rent: $319 in Bosaso versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Bosaso $319
  • Ubud, Bali $1,368

Estimated couple costs with rent: $494 in Bosaso versus $2,314 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Bosaso $494
  • Ubud, Bali $2,314

Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $668 in Bosaso versus $3,260 in Ubud, Bali.

  • Bosaso $668
  • Ubud, Bali $3,260

Living in Bosaso costs roughly 77% less than in Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

The two cities straddle the global median: Bosaso is 76% below, Ubud, Bali is 1% above.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.94 SOS 1,104
$3.33 Rp 59.9K
-41.74%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$35.18 Rp 633.2K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$4.95 SOS 2,814
$5.80 Rp 104.5K
-14.66%
Cappuccino
$1.49 SOS 845
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
-45.42%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.03 SOS 585
$1.64 Rp 29.5K
-37.20%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 SOS 361
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
-22.89%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.70 Rp 48.6K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.30 Rp 77.4K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$3.04 SOS 1,725
$1.50 Rp 27.1K
102.67%
White Bread (500g)
-
$2.30 Rp 41.4K
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.39 SOS 220
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
-66.95%
Eggs
-
$2.14 Rp 38.6K
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$17.48 Rp 314.6K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.91 SOS 1,656
$4.03 Rp 72.5K
-27.79%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$4.08 SOS 2,318
$12.23 Rp 220.1K
-66.64%
Apples (1kg)
$1.96 SOS 1,112
$3.55 Rp 63.9K
-44.79%
Banana (1kg)
$3.09 SOS 1,755
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
96.82%
Oranges (1kg)
-
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-
Tomato (1kg)
-
$1.93 Rp 34.7K
-
Potato (1kg)
-
$1.88 Rp 33.9K
-
Onion (1kg)
-
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
-
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.48 SOS 840
$0.53 Rp 9,475
179.25%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$0.98 SOS 557
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
-57.02%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$23.01 Rp 414.2K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.34 Rp 42.2K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.91 Rp 52.4K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.31 SOS 179
$0.24 Rp 4,315
29.17%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.82 Rp 158.7K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.70 SOS 967
$0.48 Rp 8,684
254.17%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.89 SOS 503
$0.46 Rp 8,233
93.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.45 SOS 1,392
$5.45 Rp 98.2K
-55.05%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.92 SOS 520
$0.88 Rp 15.9K
4.55%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$24.6K Rp 442.2M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$31.2K Rp 561.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$83.0 Rp 1.5M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$9.89 SOS 5,618
$6.45 Rp 116.0K
53.33%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$32.55 SOS 18.5K
$18.57 Rp 334.2K
75.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$55.8 Rp 1.0M
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.11 Rp 326.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.38 Rp 78.9K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$493 Rp 8.9M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$5,754 Rp 103.6M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$11.13 SOS 6,321
$46.19 Rp 831.4K
-75.90%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$15.24 SOS 8,659
$35.33 Rp 636.0K
-56.86%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$13.02 SOS 7,395
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
-83.54%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$14.74 SOS 8,371
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-81.20%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$125 SOS 71.1K
$1,142 Rp 20.6M
-89.04%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$84.7 SOS 48.1K
$676 Rp 12.2M
-87.47%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$198 SOS 112.7K
$3,503 Rp 63.1M
-94.34%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$188 SOS 106.5K
$1,700 Rp 30.6M
-88.97%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$30.0K SOS 17.1M
$2,784 Rp 50.1M
978.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Bosaso
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$302 SOS 171.4K
$165 Rp 3.0M
83.38%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
10
13.78
-27.43%

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

Last update for Bosaso: October 12, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$676
Groceries & Markets
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$290
Eating Out
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$109
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$108
Clothing & Footwear
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$108
Sport & Entertainment
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$65
Getting Around
Bosaso
–
Ubud, Bali
$13

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $125 in Bosaso and $1,142 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.

Bosaso pays 83% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.

Good to know
🇸🇴 Bosaso
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
10:21 10:21 AM
15:21 3:21 PM
5 h ahead of Bosaso
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,287
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to SOS – Somali Shilling Converter

Somali Shilling exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 568 SOS (1,000 SOS = 1.76 USD). 1 EUR = 639 SOS (1,000 SOS = 1.57 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Bosaso Ubud, Bali 7,630 km ≈ 10 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Bosaso
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Bosaso vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Bosaso and in Ubud, Bali?
Bosaso and Ubud, Bali differ by about 329% in total monthly costs ($319 vs $1,368 including rent). Bosaso is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Bosaso or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 83% higher in Bosaso, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Bosaso and in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $125 in Bosaso versus $1,142 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper grocery shopping?
Supermarket bills run roughly 177% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Which city is more expensive overall: Bosaso or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $319 per month in Bosaso versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali – a 329% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $319 in Bosaso versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Bosaso but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Bosaso the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Bosaso and Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Bosaso or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Bosaso and Ubud, Bali are on par. Petty crime is typical for cities this size, and most residents feel comfortable going about their daily routines in either place.
Where should expats move: Bosaso or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Bosaso gentler on the wallet – expenses run 329% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.

Bosaso vs other spots: cost of living compared

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