🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $476 in Karachi versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $742 in Karachi versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $1,009 in Karachi versus $3,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Karachi costs roughly 65% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Karachi is 65% below, Ubud, Bali is 0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.20PKR 609
$3.44Rp 60.9K
-36.05%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$13.66PKR 3,785
$36.31Rp 643.0K
-62.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.54PKR 1,536
$5.71Rp 101.0K
-2.98%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$2.15PKR 595
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$7.36PKR 2,039
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.23PKR 617
$2.67Rp 47.3K
-16.48%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.36PKR 99.3
$1.75Rp 31.0K
-79.43%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.26PKR 72.4
$0.87Rp 15.4K
-70.11%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.95Rp 52.3K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.52Rp 80.0K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.85PKR 234
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-47.53%
White Bread(500g)
$0.55PKR 154
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-76.39%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.20PKR 332
$1.11Rp 19.6K
8.11%
Eggs
$1.22PKR 338
$2.20Rp 39.0K
-44.55%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.24PKR 1,727
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-64.73%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.10PKR 860
$4.10Rp 72.5K
-24.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$6.36PKR 1,761
$12.18Rp 215.6K
-47.78%
Apples(1kg)
$1.27PKR 351
$3.71Rp 65.6K
-65.77%
Banana(1kg)
$0.54PKR 150
$1.59Rp 28.1K
-66.04%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.04PKR 287
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-54.39%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.61PKR 168
$1.95Rp 34.6K
-68.72%
Potato(1kg)
$0.32PKR 88.2
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-83.25%
Onion(1kg)
$0.30PKR 84.4
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-87.12%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.40PKR 110
$1.01Rp 17.8K
-60.40%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.43PKR 120
$0.55Rp 9,773
-21.82%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.28PKR 355
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.38PKR 381
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.41PKR 666
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.82PKR 503
$2.23Rp 39.5K
-18.39%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.42Rp 42.8K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.00Rp 53.1K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.28PKR 77.4
$0.27Rp 4,814
3.70%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$8.08PKR 2,239
$8.98Rp 159.1K
-10.02%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.74PKR 205
$0.48Rp 8,566
54.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.74PKR 204
$0.43Rp 7,679
72.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$2.11PKR 583
$5.64Rp 99.9K
-62.59%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.32PKR 366
$0.80Rp 14.2K
65.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$18.1KPKR 5.0M
$24.9KRp 441.7M
-27.63%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$27.1KPKR 7.5M
$31.7KRp 561.5M
-14.43%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$109PKR 30.2K
$81.5Rp 1.4M
33.66%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.83PKR 1,614
$6.49Rp 115.0K
-10.17%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$12.96PKR 3,589
$18.77Rp 332.4K
-30.95%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$21.39PKR 5,927
$56.9Rp 1.0M
-62.39%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.82PKR 5,214
$18.73Rp 331.7K
0.48%
Cinema Ticket
$4.25PKR 1,178
$4.54Rp 80.4K
-6.39%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$50.1PKR 13.9K
$481Rp 8.5M
-89.57%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,571PKR 435.2K
$5,711Rp 101.1M
-72.49%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$15.72PKR 4,355
$45.52Rp 806.0K
-65.47%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$22.45PKR 6,218
$35.88Rp 635.4K
-37.43%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$68.5PKR 19.0K
$80.4Rp 1.4M
-14.85%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$38.80PKR 10.7K
$78.7Rp 1.4M
-50.68%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$111PKR 30.8K
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-90.03%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$72.9PKR 20.2K
$698Rp 12.4M
-89.55%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$327PKR 90.5K
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-91.02%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$181PKR 50.1K
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-89.58%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,018PKR 281.9K
$2,784Rp 49.3M
-63.45%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$484PKR 134.2K
$2,290Rp 40.5M
-78.85%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Karachi
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$178PKR 49.2K
$168Rp 3.0M
5.74%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
12.88
13.78
-6.53%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Karachi: September 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $111 in Karachi and $1,115 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: $14.00 in Karachi vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $102 vs $295 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 188% in total monthly costs ($476 vs $1,368 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: $111 in Karachi versus $1,115 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 $476 per month in Karachi versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali – a 188% 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 11% 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 $476 in Karachi versus $1,368 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 188% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.