😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $2,626 in Harstad versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $3,908 in Harstad versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $5,189 in Harstad versus $3,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Harstad is roughly 92% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Harstad92% above, Ubud, Bali0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.17NOK 134
$3.44Rp 60.9K
311.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$109NOK 1,027
$36.31Rp 643.0K
200.08%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$16.17NOK 152
$5.71Rp 101.0K
183.19%
Cappuccino
$6.56NOK 61.9
$2.67Rp 47.3K
145.69%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.84NOK 36.18
$1.75Rp 31.0K
119.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.18NOK 29.98
$0.87Rp 15.4K
265.52%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$12.72NOK 120
$2.95Rp 52.3K
331.19%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$13.91NOK 131
$4.52Rp 80.0K
207.74%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.58NOK 24.32
$1.62Rp 28.7K
59.26%
White Bread(500g)
$3.48NOK 32.77
$2.33Rp 41.3K
49.36%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.30NOK 31.06
$1.11Rp 19.6K
197.30%
Eggs
$4.58NOK 43.18
$2.20Rp 39.0K
108.18%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.19NOK 105
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-36.74%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$15.09NOK 142
$4.10Rp 72.5K
268.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$42.47NOK 400
$12.18Rp 215.6K
248.69%
Apples(1kg)
$4.24NOK 39.94
$3.71Rp 65.6K
14.29%
Banana(1kg)
$2.94NOK 27.73
$1.59Rp 28.1K
84.91%
Oranges(1kg)
$3.82NOK 35.95
$2.28Rp 40.4K
67.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$4.79NOK 45.12
$1.95Rp 34.6K
145.64%
Potato(1kg)
$2.16NOK 20.37
$1.91Rp 33.7K
13.09%
Onion(1kg)
$2.17NOK 20.48
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-6.87%
Lettuce(1 head)
$3.02NOK 28.50
$1.01Rp 17.8K
199.01%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$2.41NOK 22.71
$0.55Rp 9,773
338.18%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$16.82NOK 158
$2.23Rp 39.5K
654.26%
Wine(Bottle)
$15.81NOK 149
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-31.47%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$4.04NOK 38.03
$2.42Rp 42.8K
66.94%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.98NOK 46.97
$3.00Rp 53.1K
66.00%
🚌 Getting Around
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$6.22NOK 58.6
$0.27Rp 4,814
2203.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$84.4NOK 796
$8.98Rp 159.1K
840.31%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$16.02NOK 151
$0.48Rp 8,566
3237.50%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.84NOK 17.32
$0.43Rp 7,679
327.91%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$56.9NOK 536
$5.64Rp 99.9K
909.40%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$2.25NOK 21.20
$0.80Rp 14.2K
181.25%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.6KNOK 354.3K
$24.9KRp 441.7M
50.73%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$32.0KNOK 301.4K
$31.7KRp 561.5M
0.87%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$168NOK 1,582
$81.5Rp 1.4M
106.08%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$34.80NOK 328
$6.49Rp 115.0K
436.21%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$81.9NOK 771
$18.77Rp 332.4K
336.07%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$51.1NOK 482
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-10.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$37.78NOK 356
$18.73Rp 331.7K
101.71%
Cinema Ticket
$17.55NOK 165
$4.54Rp 80.4K
286.56%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$246NOK 2,319
$481Rp 8.5M
-48.80%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,377NOK 50.7K
$5,711Rp 101.1M
-5.84%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$68.7NOK 647
$45.52Rp 806.0K
50.81%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$36.02NOK 339
$35.88Rp 635.4K
0.39%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$124NOK 1,170
$80.4Rp 1.4M
54.42%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$168NOK 1,580
$78.7Rp 1.4M
113.16%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,387NOK 13.1K
$1,115Rp 19.7M
24.48%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,092NOK 10.3K
$698Rp 12.4M
56.57%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,321NOK 21.9K
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-36.17%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,530NOK 14.4K
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-11.94%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,192NOK 58.3K
$2,784Rp 49.3M
122.37%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$4,126NOK 38.9K
$2,290Rp 40.5M
80.20%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Harstad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$3,607NOK 34.0K
$168Rp 3.0M
2046.76%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
5
13.78
-63.72%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Harstad: September 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,387 in Harstad and $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Harstad pays 2047% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $109 in Harstad vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $520 vs $295 per month, with Ubud, Bali 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
Harstad vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Harstad?
Ubud, Bali is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Eating Out, Clothing & Footwear, Getting Around, Monthly Utilities & Internet. The 92% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Harstad or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 2047% higher in Harstad, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Harstad and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,387 in Harstad versus $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How do food prices compare in Harstad and in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 76% higher in Harstad. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is eating out cheaper in Harstad or in Ubud, Bali?
Dining out is cheaper in Ubud, Bali – a meal for two runs $36.00 versus $109 in Harstad. If you eat out regularly, this makes a real dent in your monthly spending.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Harstad or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,368 in Ubud, Bali versus $2,626 in Harstad, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Harstad. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Harstad or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Ubud, Bali is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Harstad, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Harstad or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Harstad 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 Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 92% less than in Harstad. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.