🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $129 in Gulu versus $1,438 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $192 in Gulu versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $254 in Gulu versus $3,732 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Living in Gulu costs roughly 91% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Gulu is 90% below, Ubud, Bali is 7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.36UGX 5,041
$3.57Rp 61.9K
-61.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.58Rp 564.7K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$12.60UGX 46.7K
$5.07Rp 87.8K
148.52%
Cappuccino
$2.85UGX 10.6K
$2.83Rp 49.0K
0.71%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29UGX 1,076
$1.34Rp 23.2K
-78.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.14UGX 523
$0.69Rp 12.0K
-79.71%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.80UGX 2,962
$2.99Rp 51.8K
-73.24%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.71UGX 10.1K
$3.85Rp 66.7K
-29.61%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.74Rp 30.2K
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.54Rp 44.0K
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.19Rp 20.6K
-
Eggs
-
$2.43Rp 42.0K
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$14.66Rp 254.1K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.18Rp 72.4K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$11.94Rp 206.9K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.69Rp 63.9K
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.61Rp 27.8K
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.69Rp 46.5K
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$2.33Rp 40.4K
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.91Rp 33.0K
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.19Rp 37.9K
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.06Rp 18.3K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.72Rp 12.5K
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.13Rp 54.3K
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.49Rp 407.1K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.74Rp 47.5K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.88Rp 49.9K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.13UGX 4,180
$0.29Rp 5,029
289.66%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$32.93UGX 122.1K
$8.17Rp 141.6K
303.06%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.45Rp 7,863
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.42Rp 7,305
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.16Rp 106.7K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36UGX 5,056
$0.84Rp 14.6K
61.90%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.2KRp 454.9M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.5KRp 562.9M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$3.95Rp 68.5K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$24.40Rp 423.0K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$96.5Rp 1.7M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.35Rp 110.0K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.04Rp 70.0K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$303Rp 5.2M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,523Rp 113.1M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$53.8Rp 933.1K
-
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$37.98Rp 658.3K
-
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$86.8Rp 1.5M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$78.9Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,012Rp 17.5M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$674Rp 11.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,390Rp 58.8M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$2,098Rp 36.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,985Rp 51.7M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,339Rp 40.5M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$173Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.28
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gulu: April 26, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026
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
Gulu vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Gulu?
Gulu is cheaper overall, especially in Eating Out, Groceries & Markets, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Clothing & Footwear, Sport & Entertainment. The 1014% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $194 in Gulu and $2,158 in Ubud, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
A monthly transit pass in Gulu runs roughly 303% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
What are total monthly expenses in Gulu vs Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $129 per month in Gulu versus $1,438 in Ubud, Bali – a 1014% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Gulu or Ubud, Bali?
At $129 in Gulu versus $1,438 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Gulu but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Gulu the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Gulu or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Gulu is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Gulu or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Gulu 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.
Which city is easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Gulu gentler on the wallet – expenses run 1014% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.