🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $527 in Isiolo versus $1,379 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $876 in Isiolo versus $2,363 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,226 in Isiolo versus $3,347 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Isiolo costs roughly 62% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Isiolo is 62% below, Ubud, Bali is 1% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.55KES 718
$3.31Rp 58.9K
67.67%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.56KES 4,472
$39.08Rp 694.5K
-11.57%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$6.30KES 816
$5.62Rp 99.8K
12.10%
Cappuccino
$2.80KES 363
$2.64Rp 46.9K
6.06%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.63KES 81.8
$1.58Rp 28.2K
-60.13%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.53KES 67.9
$0.71Rp 12.6K
-25.35%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.29KES 296
$2.73Rp 48.5K
-16.12%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68KES 347
$4.32Rp 76.8K
-37.96%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85KES 110
$1.54Rp 27.4K
-44.81%
White Bread(500g)
$0.56KES 73.0
$2.30Rp 40.8K
-75.65%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.84KES 239
$1.03Rp 18.3K
78.64%
Eggs
$1.65KES 213
$2.12Rp 37.7K
-22.17%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$10.66KES 1,380
$17.30Rp 307.5K
-38.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.62KES 857
$4.03Rp 71.6K
64.27%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.33KES 819
$12.42Rp 220.8K
-49.03%
Apples(1kg)
$3.16KES 409
$3.70Rp 65.7K
-14.59%
Banana(1kg)
$0.99KES 128
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-38.89%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.97KES 255
$2.27Rp 40.3K
-13.22%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.02KES 131
$1.99Rp 35.4K
-48.74%
Potato(1kg)
$1.00KES 130
$1.83Rp 32.5K
-45.36%
Onion(1kg)
$0.95KES 123
$2.25Rp 40.1K
-57.78%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.66KES 84.9
$1.04Rp 18.6K
-36.54%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.72KES 93.3
$0.56Rp 10.0K
28.57%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.43KES 444
$2.22Rp 39.5K
54.50%
Wine(Bottle)
$11.57KES 1,498
$23.22Rp 412.7K
-50.17%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.29KES 297
$2.39Rp 42.5K
-4.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.81KES 364
$2.87Rp 51.1K
-2.09%
🚌 Getting Around
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
-
$0.25Rp 4,416
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$7.17Rp 127.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.53KES 198
$0.46Rp 8,163
232.61%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.58KES 204
$0.46Rp 8,235
243.48%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.88KES 373
$5.70Rp 101.2K
-49.47%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.39KES 180
$0.76Rp 13.6K
82.89%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.7KKES 2.4M
$24.6KRp 436.7M
-24.00%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$19.3KKES 2.5M
$31.0KRp 551.5M
-37.67%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$55.7KES 7,213
$82.2Rp 1.5M
-32.17%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.51KES 2,007
$6.33Rp 112.5K
145.02%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.29KES 4,437
$18.54Rp 329.6K
84.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$56.1Rp 996.2K
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$18.41Rp 327.2K
-
Cinema Ticket
$7.87KES 1,018
$4.26Rp 75.8K
84.74%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$240KES 31.1K
$489Rp 8.7M
-50.85%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$11.0KKES 1.4M
$5,793Rp 103.0M
89.51%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.64KES 3,447
$45.98Rp 817.3K
-42.06%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.38KES 3,285
$35.86Rp 637.4K
-29.22%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$63.1KES 8,167
$79.5Rp 1.4M
-20.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$59.8KES 7,736
$80.9Rp 1.4M
-26.12%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,144Rp 20.3M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$692Rp 12.3M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
-
$3,532Rp 62.8M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
-
$1,709Rp 30.4M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,785Rp 49.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,261Rp 40.2M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Isiolo
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$760KES 98.3K
$169Rp 3.0M
348.60%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
14.71
13.78
6.75%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Isiolo: August 18, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 15, 2026
Cost Breakdown
💰Isiolo pays 349% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $35.00 in Isiolo vs $39.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $203 vs $293 per month, with Isiolo 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
Isiolo vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Isiolo or Ubud, Bali?
Isiolo wins on cost – living expenses run 162% lower than in Ubud, Bali. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Isiolo the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Isiolo or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 349% higher in Isiolo, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
Are groceries more expensive in Isiolo or in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 44% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
How much does it cost to live in Isiolo compared to Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $527 per month in Isiolo versus $1,379 in Ubud, Bali – a 162% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Isiolo or in Ubud, Bali?
At $527 in Isiolo versus $1,379 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Isiolo but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Isiolo the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Isiolo or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Isiolo delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $527 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Isiolo hard to pass up.
How safe is Isiolo compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Isiolo 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 more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Isiolo gentler on the wallet – expenses run 162% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.