🙂A single person spends $1,078 per month in Castro vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,662 per month in Castro vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,246 per month in Castro vs $3,660 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 6% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$8.44CLP 7,487
$3.56Rp 63.7K
137.08%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$45.13CLP 40.1K
$32.73Rp 584.5K
37.89%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$8.22CLP 7,293
$4.95Rp 88.4K
66.06%
Cappuccino
$2.80CLP 2,485
$2.71Rp 48.4K
3.32%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.36CLP 1,211
$1.34Rp 24.0K
1.49%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.06CLP 938
$0.70Rp 12.5K
51.43%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$3.32CLP 2,942
$2.92Rp 52.1K
13.70%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.19CLP 3,719
$3.96Rp 70.7K
5.81%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.09CLP 971
$1.81Rp 32.3K
-39.78%
White Bread(500g)
$1.51CLP 1,343
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-40.08%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.38CLP 1,227
$1.16Rp 20.7K
18.97%
Eggs
$4.32CLP 3,832
$2.46Rp 43.9K
75.61%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.05CLP 8,918
$14.71Rp 262.7K
-31.68%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$4.33CLP 3,846
$4.32Rp 77.1K
0.23%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.78CLP 7,791
$12.14Rp 216.7K
-27.68%
Apples(1kg)
$1.48CLP 1,316
$3.84Rp 68.6K
-61.46%
Banana(1kg)
$2.43CLP 2,157
$1.56Rp 27.8K
55.77%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.59CLP 1,408
$2.83Rp 50.6K
-43.82%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.11CLP 1,873
$2.33Rp 41.5K
-9.44%
Potato(1kg)
$1.20CLP 1,064
$1.91Rp 34.2K
-37.17%
Onion(1kg)
$1.42CLP 1,258
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-35.45%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.28CLP 1,133
$1.01Rp 18.1K
26.73%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.23CLP 1,094
$0.78Rp 13.8K
57.69%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.37CLP 4,764
$3.32Rp 59.2K
61.75%
Wine(Bottle)
$8.45CLP 7,497
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-64.41%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.54CLP 1,365
$2.79Rp 49.8K
-44.80%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.23CLP 1,979
$2.86Rp 51.1K
-22.03%
🚌 Getting Around
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.76CLP 676
$0.27Rp 4,800
181.48%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.03Rp 143.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.48CLP 422
$0.46Rp 8,150
4.35%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.45Rp 8,037
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.10Rp 108.9K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.38CLP 1,221
$0.79Rp 14.2K
74.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$19.3KCLP 17.1M
$26.1KRp 467.0M
-26.23%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$21.0KCLP 18.7M
$32.1KRp 573.6M
-34.54%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$131CLP 116.4K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
64.02%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$13.36CLP 11.9K
$4.06Rp 72.6K
229.06%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$22.24CLP 19.7K
$23.52Rp 420.0K
-5.44%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$38.17CLP 33.9K
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-61.33%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$21.55CLP 19.1K
$6.63Rp 118.4K
225.04%
Cinema Ticket
$5.77CLP 5,121
$4.15Rp 74.1K
39.04%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$443CLP 392.9K
$304Rp 5.4M
45.66%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,613Rp 118.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$51.6CLP 45.8K
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-7.18%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$30.17CLP 26.8K
$38.31Rp 684.1K
-21.25%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$62.4CLP 55.4K
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-29.53%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$82.2CLP 73.0K
$77.9Rp 1.4M
5.61%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$474CLP 420.8K
$1,006Rp 18.0M
-52.89%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$366CLP 324.7K
$675Rp 12.1M
-45.82%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$885CLP 785.2K
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-74.30%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$630CLP 559.0K
$2,039Rp 36.4M
-69.11%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,841Rp 50.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,264Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Castro
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$685CLP 607.9K
$165Rp 3.0M
314.52%
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: June 1, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $474 in Castro versus $1,006 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 315% 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 $45.00 in Castro versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $221 in Castro vs $302 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 32% 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 vs Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,617 per month in Castro and $2,129 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 $1,078 in Castro and $1,419 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 Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $443 per month in Castro and $304 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 Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Castro, where all-in costs run around $1,078, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,419. 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 $1,078 versus $1,419 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 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.