Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Islamabad and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Islamabad: $599 a month against $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,200 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Islamabad
🇵🇰 Pakistan
$599
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,368
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Islamabad and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Islamabad and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $599 per month in Islamabad vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Islamabad $599
  • Ubud, Bali $1,368

A couple spends around $930 per month in Islamabad vs $2,314 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Islamabad $930
  • Ubud, Bali $2,314

A family of three spends $1,261 per month in Islamabad vs $3,260 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Islamabad $1,261
  • Ubud, Bali $3,260

Islamabad is about 56% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Islamabad sits 56% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 1% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.63 PKR 1,004
$3.33 Rp 59.9K
9.01%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$23.40 PKR 6,478
$35.18 Rp 633.2K
-33.48%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.54 PKR 1,534
$5.80 Rp 104.5K
-4.48%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$3.57 PKR 987
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.73 PKR 1,864
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.64 PKR 730
$2.73 Rp 49.1K
-3.30%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.32 PKR 89.6
$1.64 Rp 29.5K
-80.49%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.23 PKR 63.7
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
-72.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.70 Rp 48.6K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.30 Rp 77.4K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.94 PKR 259
$1.50 Rp 27.1K
-37.33%
White Bread (500g)
$0.72 PKR 200
$2.30 Rp 41.4K
-68.70%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.30 PKR 361
$1.18 Rp 21.2K
10.17%
Eggs
$1.22 PKR 339
$2.14 Rp 38.6K
-42.99%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$6.05 PKR 1,674
$17.48 Rp 314.6K
-65.39%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.09 PKR 855
$4.03 Rp 72.5K
-23.33%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$5.35 PKR 1,482
$12.23 Rp 220.1K
-56.26%
Apples (1kg)
$1.26 PKR 350
$3.55 Rp 63.9K
-64.51%
Banana (1kg)
$0.87 PKR 241
$1.57 Rp 28.3K
-44.59%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.04 PKR 288
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-53.57%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.53 PKR 146
$1.93 Rp 34.7K
-72.54%
Potato (1kg)
$0.29 PKR 81.2
$1.88 Rp 33.9K
-84.57%
Onion (1kg)
$0.36 PKR 99.4
$2.29 Rp 41.3K
-84.28%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.28 PKR 76.4
$0.99 Rp 17.9K
-71.72%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.39 PKR 108
$0.53 Rp 9,475
-26.42%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$1.95 PKR 539
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.19 PKR 331
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.68 PKR 743
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.24 PKR 619
$2.28 Rp 41.1K
-1.75%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$23.01 Rp 414.2K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.34 Rp 42.2K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.91 Rp 52.4K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.16 PKR 43.07
$0.24 Rp 4,315
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$21.34 PKR 5,905
$8.82 Rp 158.7K
141.95%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$1.24 PKR 344
$0.48 Rp 8,684
158.33%
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.74 PKR 204
$0.46 Rp 8,233
60.87%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.60 PKR 442
$5.45 Rp 98.2K
-70.64%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.37 PKR 378
$0.88 Rp 15.9K
55.68%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$54.5K PKR 15.1M
$24.6K Rp 442.2M
121.82%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$23.9K PKR 6.6M
$31.2K Rp 561.4M
-23.50%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$103 PKR 28.6K
$83.0 Rp 1.5M
24.39%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.99 PKR 1,658
$6.45 Rp 116.0K
-7.13%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.15 PKR 4,746
$18.57 Rp 334.2K
-7.65%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$28.20 PKR 7,806
$55.8 Rp 1.0M
-49.48%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$8.47 PKR 2,344
$18.11 Rp 326.0K
-53.23%
Cinema Ticket
$4.43 PKR 1,226
$4.38 Rp 78.9K
1.14%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$75.7 PKR 20.9K
$493 Rp 8.9M
-84.65%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$5,004 PKR 1.4M
$5,754 Rp 103.6M
-13.03%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$25.72 PKR 7,118
$46.19 Rp 831.4K
-44.32%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.48 PKR 9,543
$35.33 Rp 636.0K
-2.41%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$95.5 PKR 26.4K
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
20.77%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.32 PKR 11.4K
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-47.29%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$276 PKR 76.5K
$1,142 Rp 20.6M
-75.80%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$139 PKR 38.3K
$676 Rp 12.2M
-79.49%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$572 PKR 158.2K
$3,503 Rp 63.1M
-83.68%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$270 PKR 74.9K
$1,700 Rp 30.6M
-84.09%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,629 PKR 450.8K
$2,784 Rp 50.1M
-41.49%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$836 PKR 231.5K
$2,241 Rp 40.3M
-62.67%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Islamabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$380 PKR 105.2K
$165 Rp 3.0M
131.04%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.08
13.78
-5.08%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Islamabad: October 10, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 11, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Islamabad
$139
Ubud, Bali
$676 388% $537
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Islamabad
$126
Ubud, Bali
$108 14.5% $18
Groceries & Markets
Islamabad
$102
Ubud, Bali
$290 185% $188
Clothing & Footwear
Islamabad
$89
Ubud, Bali
$108 21.3% $19
Eating Out
Islamabad
$80
Ubud, Bali
$109 36.8% $29
Sport & Entertainment
Islamabad
$37
Ubud, Bali
$65 74.2% $28
Getting Around
Islamabad
$27
Ubud, Bali
$13 53.3% $14

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $276 in Islamabad versus $1,142 in Ubud, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 131% higher in Islamabad, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in Islamabad versus $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $102 vs $290 – making Islamabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇵🇰 Islamabad
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
04:46 4:46 AM
07:46 7:46 AM
3 h ahead of Islamabad
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
1,009,832 Capital
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to PKR – Pakistani Rupee Converter

Pakistani Rupee exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 277 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.61 USD). 1 EUR = 311 PKR (1,000 PKR = 3.21 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 18,000 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.56 USD). 1 EUR = 20,236 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Islamabad Ubud, Bali 6,470 km ≈ 9 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Islamabad
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Islamabad vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Islamabad?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 128%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $899 per month in Islamabad and $2,051 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Which city has lower housing costs?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Islamabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do food prices compare in Islamabad and in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 185% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.
Is eating out cheaper in Islamabad or in Ubud, Bali?
A mid-range dinner for two costs $23.00 in Islamabad and $35.00 in Ubud, Bali. That's a good indicator of the overall restaurant and café pricing gap between the two cities.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Islamabad or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Islamabad, where all-in costs run around $599, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Islamabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Islamabad or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Islamabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Islamabad or Ubud, Bali?
Both have safer and rougher neighborhoods, but overall safety is comparable to other large cities. Neighborhood choice matters more than the city-level comparison – central, well-trafficked areas feel secure in both.
Which city is the better choice to relocate to?
If budget matters most, go with Islamabad. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Ubud, Bali makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.

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