Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Jimma and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $1,034 per month in Jimma vs $1,404 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $1,428 per month in Jimma vs $2,549 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,823 per month in Jimma vs $3,694 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Jimma is about 26% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.

Jimma sits 23% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 4% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.50 ETB 714
$3.57 Rp 64.0K
26.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.50 Rp 582.3K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.86 Rp 87.1K
-
Cappuccino
$1.13 ETB 179
$2.75 Rp 49.2K
-58.91%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.60 ETB 95.4
$1.32 Rp 23.7K
-54.55%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.47 ETB 74.7
$0.70 Rp 12.6K
-32.86%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.20 ETB 190
$2.91 Rp 52.2K
-58.76%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.47 ETB 233
$3.79 Rp 68.0K
-61.21%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.19 ETB 188
$1.71 Rp 30.6K
-30.41%
White Bread (500g)
$0.40 ETB 63.2
$2.47 Rp 44.3K
-83.81%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.18 ETB 187
$1.20 Rp 21.5K
-1.67%
Eggs
$4.16 ETB 659
$2.44 Rp 43.8K
70.49%
Local Cheese (1kg)
-
$14.38 Rp 257.7K
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$11.42 ETB 1,810
$4.31 Rp 77.1K
164.97%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.52 ETB 1,826
$12.21 Rp 218.7K
-5.65%
Apples (1kg)
$2.29 ETB 363
$3.68 Rp 66.0K
-37.77%
Banana (1kg)
$1.15 ETB 182
$1.55 Rp 27.8K
-25.81%
Oranges (1kg)
$3.46 ETB 548
$2.79 Rp 49.9K
24.01%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.55 ETB 87.9
$2.33 Rp 41.8K
-76.39%
Potato (1kg)
$0.56 ETB 89.5
$1.97 Rp 35.3K
-71.57%
Onion (1kg)
$3.43 ETB 543
$2.31 Rp 41.4K
48.48%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.61 ETB 96.0
$0.73 Rp 13.1K
-16.44%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$3.28 Rp 58.8K
-
Wine (Bottle)
$6.86 ETB 1,088
$22.79 Rp 408.4K
-69.90%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.13 ETB 179
$2.81 Rp 50.3K
-59.79%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.43 ETB 227
$2.78 Rp 49.9K
-48.56%
🚌 Getting Around
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.24 ETB 38.10
$0.29 Rp 5,217
-17.24%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$13.70 ETB 2,171
$8.06 Rp 144.4K
69.98%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.45 Rp 8,047
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.45 Rp 8,094
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$1.76 ETB 279
$6.24 Rp 111.7K
-71.79%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$1.77 ETB 280
$0.85 Rp 15.2K
108.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$52.2K ETB 8.3M
$26.0K Rp 465.4M
101.01%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$57.6K ETB 9.1M
$31.7K Rp 567.2M
82.01%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$63.2 ETB 10.0K
$80.8 Rp 1.4M
-21.70%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$15.34 ETB 2,431
$4.06 Rp 72.7K
277.83%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$313 ETB 49.6K
$24.42 Rp 437.6K
1181.04%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$34.61 ETB 5,485
$97.7 Rp 1.7M
-64.56%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.45 Rp 115.5K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.04 Rp 72.4K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$304 Rp 5.4M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$6,621 Rp 118.6M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$54.2 Rp 971.7K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$92.9 ETB 14.7K
$38.78 Rp 694.7K
139.53%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$140 ETB 22.2K
$86.1 Rp 1.5M
62.63%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$114 ETB 18.1K
$76.7 Rp 1.4M
48.81%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$217 ETB 34.4K
$986 Rp 17.7M
-77.99%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$159 ETB 25.1K
$658 Rp 11.8M
-75.91%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$418 ETB 66.3K
$3,369 Rp 60.4M
-87.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$326 ETB 51.7K
$2,066 Rp 37.0M
-84.23%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,277 ETB 360.9K
$2,741 Rp 49.1M
-16.94%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$1,149 ETB 182.2K
$2,228 Rp 39.9M
-48.40%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Jimma
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$233 ETB 36.9K
$163 Rp 2.9M
42.42%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
9
13.28
-32.23%

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

Last update for Jimma: June 7, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 9, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $217 in Jimma versus $986 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 42% higher in Jimma, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.

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
Jimma vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Jimma?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 36%, and the gap shows up most in Monthly Utilities & Internet. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,551 per month in Jimma and $2,106 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 Jimma, 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 Jimma and Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 47% 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.
Which city has cheaper public transport?
Public transport costs about 70% less in Jimma. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for Jimma or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Jimma, where all-in costs run around $1,034, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,404. In Jimma it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Jimma or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Jimma – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Jimma 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 Jimma. 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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