Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Mahabad and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Mahabad: $528 a month against $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $9,600 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Mahabad, Iran
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Mahabad
🇮🇷 Iran
$528
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Mahabad 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 Mahabad and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $528 per month in Mahabad vs $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Mahabad $528
  • Ubud, Bali $1,331

A couple spends around $831 per month in Mahabad vs $2,255 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Mahabad $831
  • Ubud, Bali $2,255

A family of three spends $1,135 per month in Mahabad vs $3,180 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Mahabad $1,135
  • Ubud, Bali $3,180

Mahabad is about 60% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Both Mahabad and Ubud, Bali are more affordable than the global median – Mahabad 61% lower, Ubud, Bali 2% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.92 $2.92
$3.38 Rp 61.1K
-13.61%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$16.31 $16.31
$34.65 Rp 627.3K
-52.93%
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$3.99 $3.99
$5.57 Rp 100.9K
-28.37%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$0.73 $0.73
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.08 $1.08
-
-
Cappuccino
$1.13 $1.13
$2.62 Rp 47.4K
-56.87%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.51 $0.51
$1.54 Rp 27.9K
-66.88%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.99 $0.99
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
54.69%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.67 Rp 48.3K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.26 Rp 77.2K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.68 $0.68
$1.46 Rp 26.5K
-53.42%
White Bread (500g)
$0.51 $0.51
$2.29 Rp 41.5K
-77.73%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.09 $2.09
$1.11 Rp 20.0K
88.29%
Eggs
$1.24 $1.24
$2.10 Rp 38.0K
-40.95%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.47 $4.47
$15.94 Rp 288.6K
-71.96%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.34 $3.34
$3.88 Rp 70.3K
-13.92%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$7.85 $7.85
$11.40 Rp 206.4K
-31.14%
Apples (1kg)
$1.03 $1.03
$3.55 Rp 64.3K
-70.99%
Banana (1kg)
$1.59 $1.59
$1.54 Rp 27.8K
3.25%
Oranges (1kg)
$0.86 $0.86
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
-61.43%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.57 $0.57
$1.97 Rp 35.7K
-71.07%
Potato (1kg)
$0.57 $0.57
$1.86 Rp 33.6K
-69.35%
Onion (1kg)
$0.47 $0.47
$2.42 Rp 43.8K
-80.58%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.54 $0.54
$1.02 Rp 18.6K
-47.06%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.24 $0.24
$0.52 Rp 9,456
-53.85%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)
$0.77 $0.77
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.50 $0.50
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.34 $1.34
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.46 $2.46
$2.20 Rp 39.8K
11.82%
Wine (Bottle)
-
$21.79 Rp 394.4K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.33 Rp 42.1K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.97 Rp 53.8K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.14 $0.14
$0.25 Rp 4,533
-44.00%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$9.67 $9.67
$8.17 Rp 148.0K
18.36%
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 $0.44
$0.44 Rp 7,925
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.31 $0.31
$0.47 Rp 8,472
-34.04%
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$2.63 $2.63
$5.60 Rp 101.4K
-53.04%
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.10 $0.10
$0.83 Rp 15.0K
-87.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$50.0K $50.0K
$24.4K Rp 442.6M
104.42%
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$45.4K $45.4K
$31.7K Rp 573.8M
43.30%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$12.98 $12.98
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
-83.25%
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$1.57 $1.57
$6.14 Rp 111.2K
-74.43%
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$3.81 $3.81
$18.92 Rp 342.4K
-79.86%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$18.40 $18.40
$51.0 Rp 923.1K
-63.91%
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$13.52 $13.52
$18.25 Rp 330.4K
-25.92%
Cinema Ticket
$2.04 $2.04
$4.38 Rp 79.3K
-53.42%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$107 $107
$492 Rp 8.9M
-78.20%
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$2,442 $2,442
$12.2K Rp 221.2M
-80.02%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$22.95 $22.95
$45.16 Rp 817.6K
-49.18%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.82 $27.82
$34.89 Rp 631.6K
-20.26%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$98.5 $98.5
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
25.72%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$73.7 $73.7
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-5.33%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$290 $290
$1,078 Rp 19.5M
-73.10%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$212 $212
$665 Rp 12.0M
-68.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$806 $806
$3,510 Rp 63.5M
-77.04%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$356 $356
$1,671 Rp 30.2M
-78.69%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$1,134 $1,134
$2,340 Rp 42.4M
-51.53%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$541 $541
$2,236 Rp 40.5M
-75.79%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mahabad
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$254 $254
$166 Rp 3.0M
52.40%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
24.3
13.78
76.34%

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

Last update for Mahabad: October 31, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Mahabad
$212
Ubud, Bali
$665 214% $453
Groceries & Markets
Mahabad
$108
Ubud, Bali
$279 160% $172
Clothing & Footwear
Mahabad
$100
Ubud, Bali
$106 6% $6
Eating Out
Mahabad
$55
Ubud, Bali
$106 92.5% $51
Sport & Entertainment
Mahabad
$22
Ubud, Bali
$60 166% $37
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mahabad
$18
Ubud, Bali
$103 458% $84
Getting Around
Mahabad
$12
Ubud, Bali
$12 2.1% $0.3

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $290 in Mahabad versus $1,078 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 52% higher in Mahabad, 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 $16 in Mahabad versus $35 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $108 vs $279 – making Mahabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

Good to know
🇮🇷 Mahabad
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
17:44 5:44 PM
22:14 10:14 PM
4 h 30 min ahead of Mahabad
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
208,541
74,800
💱 Currency
USD USD
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, EUR to USD – USD Converter

USD exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 EUR = 1.12 USD (1 USD = 0.89 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 18,103 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.52 USD). 1 EUR = 20,331 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.92 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Mahabad Ubud, Bali 8,800 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Mahabad
  • Ubud, Bali

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

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated March 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
Mahabad vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mahabad cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 152%, 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 $792 per month in Mahabad and $1,996 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 Mahabad, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $290 there versus $1,078 in Ubud, Bali.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Kindergarten costs $107 per month in Mahabad and $492 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
How do food prices compare in Mahabad and in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 160% more in Ubud, Bali, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Mahabad or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Mahabad, where all-in costs run around $528, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,331. In Mahabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is Mahabad or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
Families tend to lean toward Mahabad – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.
Which city is safer, Mahabad or Ubud, Bali?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

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