🙂A single person spends $931 per month in Castro vs $1,378 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,474 per month in Castro vs $2,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,016 per month in Castro vs $3,275 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Castro is about 32% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Castro sits 33% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.30CLP 7,815
$3.33Rp 58.7K
149.25%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$47.78CLP 45.0K
$35.82Rp 630.7K
33.39%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.02CLP 5,662
$5.63Rp 99.1K
6.93%
Cappuccino
$1.63CLP 1,531
$2.82Rp 49.7K
-42.20%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31CLP 1,232
$1.75Rp 30.8K
-25.14%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.10CLP 1,031
$0.80Rp 14.0K
37.50%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$5.43CLP 5,106
$3.04Rp 53.6K
78.62%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.38CLP 6,941
$4.30Rp 75.7K
71.63%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09CLP 1,022
$1.61Rp 28.3K
-32.30%
White Bread(500g)
$3.86CLP 3,628
$2.27Rp 39.9K
70.04%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.31CLP 1,230
$1.17Rp 20.6K
11.97%
Eggs
$4.25CLP 3,997
$2.17Rp 38.2K
95.85%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.03CLP 9,443
$17.63Rp 310.5K
-43.11%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.32CLP 4,070
$4.05Rp 71.4K
6.67%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.54CLP 8,035
$12.18Rp 214.5K
-29.89%
Apples(1kg)
$1.47CLP 1,380
$3.62Rp 63.7K
-59.39%
Banana(1kg)
$2.31CLP 2,171
$1.64Rp 28.8K
40.85%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.63CLP 1,538
$2.31Rp 40.6K
-29.44%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.09CLP 1,965
$1.96Rp 34.5K
6.63%
Potato(1kg)
$1.22CLP 1,145
$1.84Rp 32.5K
-33.70%
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.37Rp 41.7K
-
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.57CLP 1,480
$1.05Rp 18.5K
49.52%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.64CLP 1,540
$0.54Rp 9,560
203.70%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.96CLP 3,729
$2.30Rp 40.6K
72.17%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.86CLP 7,401
$23.08Rp 406.4K
-65.94%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.06CLP 997
$2.34Rp 41.2K
-54.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.26CLP 3,069
$3.07Rp 54.0K
6.19%
🚌 Getting Around
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.74CLP 700
$0.25Rp 4,365
196.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$9.42Rp 165.9K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.49Rp 8,631
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.47Rp 8,349
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$5.60Rp 98.6K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.40CLP 1,321
$0.81Rp 14.2K
72.84%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$15.8KCLP 14.9M
$25.0KRp 440.3M
-36.70%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.4KCLP 18.3M
$31.1KRp 547.0M
-37.47%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$137CLP 129.0K
$82.7Rp 1.5M
65.72%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.49Rp 114.2K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$31.49CLP 29.6K
$18.79Rp 330.8K
67.59%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$55.2Rp 972.6K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.21Rp 320.6K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.30Rp 75.7K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$494Rp 8.7M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$5,917Rp 104.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$46.28Rp 814.8K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$36.44Rp 641.6K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$85.2CLP 80.2K
$80.7Rp 1.4M
5.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$78.8Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$376CLP 353.8K
$1,114Rp 19.6M
-66.25%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$301CLP 282.9K
$693Rp 12.2M
-56.64%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,054CLP 991.6K
$3,639Rp 64.1M
-71.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$619CLP 582.8K
$1,712Rp 30.1M
-63.84%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,761Rp 48.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,293Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$643CLP 605.1K
$167Rp 2.9M
284.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
13.78
-49.20%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Castro: September 6, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $376 in Castro 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 285% higher in Castro, 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 $48.00 in Castro versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $244 in Castro vs $294 in Ubud, Bali – so Castro 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
Castro vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Castro or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 48% more than Castro, with the gap driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear. 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 Castro and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,396 per month in Castro and $2,067 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Castro or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Castro, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Castro compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $931 in Castro and $1,378 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Castro or in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 20% 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 Castro or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Castro, where all-in costs run around $931, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,378. In Castro 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, Castro or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Castro costs $931 versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Castro 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 Castro or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Castro. 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.