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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,075 per month in Castro vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,630 per month in Castro vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $2,184 per month in Castro vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Castro is about 24% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Castro sits 20% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.77 CLP 8,162
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
154.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$44.44 CLP 41.4K
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
37.41%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$8.03 CLP 7,480
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
65.91%
Cappuccino
$2.84 CLP 2,648
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
3.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.30 CLP 1,212
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-5.80%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06 CLP 989
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
41.33%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.16 CLP 2,945
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
5.69%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.14 CLP 3,854
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
7.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.13 CLP 1,050
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
-35.06%
White Bread (500g)
$1.48 CLP 1,375
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-39.84%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.38 CLP 1,281
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
17.95%
Eggs
$4.44 CLP 4,131
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
82.72%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$10.17 CLP 9,469
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-29.86%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.33 CLP 4,031
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
-0.46%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$8.89 CLP 8,275
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
-25.79%
Apples (1kg)
$1.43 CLP 1,336
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
-61.56%
Banana (1kg)
$2.33 CLP 2,167
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
42.94%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.58 CLP 1,472
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
-42.34%
Tomato (1kg)
$2.10 CLP 1,953
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-6.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.23 CLP 1,145
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
-35.94%
Onion (1kg)
$1.36 CLP 1,264
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-40.35%
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.21 CLP 1,129
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
14.15%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.22 CLP 1,135
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
69.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$5.28 CLP 4,920
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
60.49%
Wine (Bottle)
$7.92 CLP 7,371
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-65.85%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.55 CLP 1,439
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-44.24%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.21 CLP 2,054
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-19.05%
🚌 Getting Around
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.75 CLP 700
$0.27 Rp 4,778
177.78%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.48 CLP 447
$0.48 Rp 8,659
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.42 Rp 7,532
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.36 CLP 1,269
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
67.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.6K CLP 18.3M
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
-26.35%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.7K CLP 20.2M
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
-32.68%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$129 CLP 120.5K
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
65.12%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.38 CLP 12.5K
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
228.75%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$21.73 CLP 20.2K
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
-10.69%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$39.23 CLP 36.5K
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-60.22%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.09 CLP 19.6K
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
232.65%
Cinema Ticket
$5.49 CLP 5,116
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
37.59%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$433 CLP 403.4K
$305 Rp 5.5M
42.04%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.1 CLP 47.6K
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-5.56%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.65 CLP 28.5K
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
-18.94%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$61.7 CLP 57.5K
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-28.90%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.8 CLP 77.1K
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
8.40%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$474 CLP 441.2K
$992 Rp 17.8M
-52.23%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$369 CLP 343.4K
$673 Rp 12.1M
-45.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$882 CLP 821.3K
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
-73.87%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$623 CLP 580.4K
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-69.60%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$636 CLP 592.5K
$167 Rp 3.0M
281.08%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.18
13.28
-60.99%

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

Last update for Castro: July 11, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $474 in Castro 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 281% 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 $44.00 in Castro versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $220 in Castro vs $297 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 31% more than Castro, 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 Castro and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,613 per month in Castro 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, 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 $1,075 in Castro and $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How do childcare costs compare in Castro and in Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $433 per month in Castro and $305 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
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 $1,075, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. 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 $1,075 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 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.

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