🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $124 in Gulu versus $1,378 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $181 in Gulu versus $2,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $237 in Gulu versus $3,275 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 91% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$1.31UGX 5,044
$3.33Rp 58.7K
-60.66%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$35.82Rp 630.7K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$11.81UGX 45.6K
$5.63Rp 99.1K
109.77%
Cappuccino
$2.68UGX 10.3K
$2.82Rp 49.7K
-4.96%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.25UGX 959
$1.75Rp 30.8K
-85.71%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.11UGX 429
$0.80Rp 14.0K
-86.25%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$0.81UGX 3,112
$3.04Rp 53.6K
-73.36%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.59UGX 10.0K
$4.30Rp 75.7K
-39.77%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
-
$1.61Rp 28.3K
-
White Bread(500g)
-
$2.27Rp 39.9K
-
Rice(white)(1kg)
-
$1.17Rp 20.6K
-
Eggs
-
$2.17Rp 38.2K
-
Local Cheese(1kg)
-
$17.63Rp 310.5K
-
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
-
$4.05Rp 71.4K
-
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
-
$12.18Rp 214.5K
-
Apples(1kg)
-
$3.62Rp 63.7K
-
Banana(1kg)
-
$1.64Rp 28.8K
-
Oranges(1kg)
-
$2.31Rp 40.6K
-
Tomato(1kg)
-
$1.96Rp 34.5K
-
Potato(1kg)
-
$1.84Rp 32.5K
-
Onion(1kg)
-
$2.37Rp 41.7K
-
Lettuce(1 head)
-
$1.05Rp 18.5K
-
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
-
$0.54Rp 9,560
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.30Rp 40.6K
-
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.08Rp 406.4K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.34Rp 41.2K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.07Rp 54.0K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.07UGX 4,150
$0.25Rp 4,365
328.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$31.45UGX 121.5K
$9.42Rp 165.9K
233.86%
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)
$1.37UGX 5,299
$0.81Rp 14.2K
69.14%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$25.0KRp 440.3M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$31.1KRp 547.0M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$82.7Rp 1.5M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.49Rp 114.2K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.79Rp 330.8K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Gulu
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
Gulu
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
Gulu
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)
-
$80.7Rp 1.4M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$78.8Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,114Rp 19.6M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$693Rp 12.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,639Rp 64.1M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,712Rp 30.1M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,761Rp 48.6M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,293Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Gulu
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$167Rp 2.9M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.78
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Gulu: September 5, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 6, 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 $186 in Gulu and $2,067 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 234% 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 and in Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $124 per month in Gulu versus $1,378 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 living in Gulu or in Ubud, Bali?
At $124 in Gulu versus $1,378 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.