🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $484 in Karachi versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $735 in Karachi versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $987 in Karachi versus $3,763 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Karachi costs roughly 66% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Karachi is 64% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06PKR 572
$3.45Rp 62.0K
-40.29%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$12.56PKR 3,487
$32.34Rp 580.1K
-61.16%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$3.99PKR 1,108
$4.84Rp 86.9K
-17.56%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.93PKR 537
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$5.27PKR 1,463
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.81PKR 503
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-34.18%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33PKR 92.7
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-76.09%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.21PKR 58.0
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-72.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.99Rp 53.7K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.85Rp 69.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.79PKR 220
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-54.60%
White Bread(500g)
$0.58PKR 161
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-76.42%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.18PKR 328
$1.17Rp 21.0K
0.85%
Eggs
$1.15PKR 321
$2.43Rp 43.6K
-52.67%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.41PKR 1,781
$14.50Rp 260.2K
-55.79%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.12PKR 867
$4.35Rp 78.0K
-28.28%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$5.09PKR 1,413
$11.98Rp 214.9K
-57.51%
Apples(1kg)
$1.03PKR 286
$3.72Rp 66.7K
-72.31%
Banana(1kg)
$0.60PKR 166
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-63.19%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.92PKR 257
$2.74Rp 49.2K
-66.42%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.57PKR 159
$2.24Rp 40.2K
-74.55%
Potato(1kg)
$0.35PKR 98.2
$1.92Rp 34.4K
-81.77%
Onion(1kg)
$0.50PKR 140
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-78.07%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.36PKR 99.8
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-66.04%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.41PKR 113
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-43.06%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.25PKR 346
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.32PKR 367
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.06PKR 573
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.16PKR 599
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-34.35%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.19Rp 416.1K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.78Rp 49.8K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.73Rp 49.0K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.33PKR 92.7
$0.27Rp 4,778
22.22%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.43PKR 1,785
$8.11Rp 145.4K
-20.72%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74PKR 206
$0.48Rp 8,659
54.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.61PKR 170
$0.42Rp 7,532
45.24%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.74PKR 484
$6.22Rp 111.6K
-72.03%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.94PKR 261
$0.81Rp 14.6K
16.05%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$16.7KPKR 4.6M
$26.6KRp 477.4M
-37.08%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.3KPKR 7.0M
$32.2KRp 577.4M
-21.49%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$134PKR 37.3K
$78.4Rp 1.4M
71.49%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.00PKR 1,388
$4.07Rp 73.0K
22.85%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$13.28PKR 3,689
$24.33Rp 436.4K
-45.42%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$15.87PKR 4,406
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-83.91%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$14.35PKR 3,984
$6.34Rp 113.7K
126.34%
Cinema Ticket
$4.34PKR 1,206
$3.99Rp 71.5K
8.77%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$58.8PKR 16.3K
$305Rp 5.5M
-80.73%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,356PKR 376.6K
$6,642Rp 119.2M
-79.58%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$17.71PKR 4,919
$54.1Rp 971.2K
-67.29%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$25.79PKR 7,163
$37.81Rp 678.2K
-31.79%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$64.2PKR 17.8K
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-26.04%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$35.84PKR 9,953
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-53.06%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$118PKR 32.8K
$992Rp 17.8M
-88.08%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$74.7PKR 20.7K
$673Rp 12.1M
-88.90%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$319PKR 88.6K
$3,375Rp 60.5M
-90.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181PKR 50.3K
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-91.16%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$932PKR 258.7K
$2,805Rp 50.3M
-66.78%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$433PKR 120.3K
$2,227Rp 39.9M
-80.54%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$177PKR 49.1K
$167Rp 3.0M
6.00%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
17.8
13.28
34.04%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karachi: July 12, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $118 in Karachi and $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Karachi pays 6% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $13.00 in Karachi vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $97.0 vs $297 per month, with Karachi 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
Karachi vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the total cost difference between living in Karachi and in Ubud, Bali?
Karachi and Ubud, Bali differ by about 191% in total monthly costs ($484 vs $1,408 including rent). Karachi is meaningfully more affordable – a gap that matters a lot on a fixed or modest income.
Which city pays better: Karachi or Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 6% higher in Karachi, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How do apartment prices compare in Karachi and in Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $118 in Karachi versus $992 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city is more expensive overall: Karachi or Ubud, Bali?
All in, you'll spend $484 per month in Karachi versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – a 191% gap that adds up to real savings over time for anyone picking the cheaper option.
How do commuting costs compare in Karachi and in Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Karachi runs roughly 26% less than in Ubud, Bali. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
At $484 in Karachi versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, a $2,000 budget is realistic in Karachi but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Karachi the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
How does quality of life compare between Karachi and Ubud, Bali?
Both cities offer a good standard of living with different trade-offs. Neither is objectively better – the right pick depends on what matters most: affordability, career, cultural scene, or climate.
Is Karachi or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
Safety-wise, Karachi 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.
Where should expats move: Karachi or Ubud, Bali?
Expats usually find Karachi gentler on the wallet – expenses run 191% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.