🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $727 in Cotacachi versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $1,189 in Cotacachi versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,651 in Cotacachi versus $3,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Cotacachi costs roughly 47% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Cotacachi is 47% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.10$4.10
$3.44Rp 60.8K
19.19%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$25.67$25.67
$36.31Rp 642.1K
-29.30%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$4.53$4.53
$5.71Rp 100.9K
-20.67%
Cappuccino
$2.12$2.12
$2.67Rp 47.2K
-20.60%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.29$1.29
$1.75Rp 30.9K
-26.29%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.82$0.82
$0.87Rp 15.4K
-5.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.96$1.96
$2.95Rp 52.2K
-33.56%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.98$3.98
$4.52Rp 79.9K
-11.95%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.16$1.16
$1.62Rp 28.6K
-28.40%
White Bread(500g)
$1.52$1.52
$2.33Rp 41.2K
-34.76%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.51$1.51
$1.11Rp 19.6K
36.04%
Eggs
$2.17$2.17
$2.20Rp 38.9K
-1.36%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.56$6.56
$17.69Rp 312.8K
-62.92%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$5.64$5.64
$4.10Rp 72.4K
37.56%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.07$7.07
$12.18Rp 215.3K
-41.95%
Apples(1kg)
$2.20$2.20
$3.71Rp 65.5K
-40.70%
Banana(1kg)
$1.13$1.13
$1.59Rp 28.1K
-28.93%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.27$1.27
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-44.30%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.09$1.09
$1.95Rp 34.5K
-44.10%
Potato(1kg)
$1.19$1.19
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-37.70%
Onion(1kg)
$1.03$1.03
$2.33Rp 41.2K
-55.79%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.83$0.83
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-17.82%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06$1.06
$0.55Rp 9,759
92.73%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$4.55$4.55
$2.23Rp 39.5K
104.04%
Wine(Bottle)
$7.67$7.67
$23.07Rp 408.0K
-66.75%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.57$1.57
$2.42Rp 42.8K
-35.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.05$3.05
$3.00Rp 53.0K
1.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.45$0.45
$0.27Rp 4,807
66.67%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$14.81$14.81
$8.98Rp 158.9K
64.92%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.29$1.29
$0.48Rp 8,554
168.75%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.97$0.97
$0.43Rp 7,668
125.58%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$10.12$10.12
$5.64Rp 99.8K
79.43%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.74$0.74
$0.80Rp 14.2K
-7.50%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8K$20.8K
$24.9KRp 441.1M
-16.76%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$28.3K$28.3K
$31.7KRp 560.7M
-10.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$28.80$28.80
$81.5Rp 1.4M
-64.65%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$12.93$12.93
$6.49Rp 114.8K
99.23%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$26.49$26.49
$18.77Rp 331.9K
41.13%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$30.58$30.58
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-46.23%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$10.14$10.14
$18.73Rp 331.2K
-45.86%
Cinema Ticket
$6.87$6.87
$4.54Rp 80.2K
51.32%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$75.4$75.4
$481Rp 8.5M
-84.31%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$3,014$3,014
$5,711Rp 101.0M
-47.24%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$42.28$42.28
$45.52Rp 804.9K
-7.12%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$42.72$42.72
$35.88Rp 634.5K
19.06%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$94.2$94.2
$80.4Rp 1.4M
17.17%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$60.1$60.1
$78.7Rp 1.4M
-23.58%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$265$265
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-76.21%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$188$188
$698Rp 12.3M
-73.06%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$466$466
$3,637Rp 64.3M
-87.20%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$418$418
$1,737Rp 30.7M
-75.96%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$595$595
$2,784Rp 49.2M
-78.64%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$505$505
$2,290Rp 40.5M
-77.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cotacachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$427$427
$168Rp 3.0M
154.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.12
13.78
-26.56%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Cotacachi: September 15, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $265 in Cotacachi and $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Cotacachi pays 154% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $26.00 in Cotacachi vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $190 vs $295 per month, with Cotacachi cheaper across the board.
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
Cotacachi vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Cotacachi and in Ubud, Bali?
Cotacachi and Ubud, Bali differ by about 88% in total monthly costs ($727 vs $1,368 including rent). Cotacachi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Cotacachi or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 154% higher in Cotacachi, 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 Cotacachi and in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $265 in Cotacachi versus $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do commuting costs compare in Cotacachi and in Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Cotacachi runs roughly 65% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Cotacachi and Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $75.4 in Cotacachi versus $481 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $727 in Cotacachi versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Cotacachi but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Cotacachi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Cotacachi 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 Cotacachi or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Cotacachi 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: Cotacachi or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Cotacachi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 88% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.