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

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $464 per month in Mahabad vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $740 per month in Mahabad vs $2,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $1,015 per month in Mahabad vs $3,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Mahabad is about 66% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Mahabad sits 66% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$2.80 $2.80

$3.44 Rp 60.9K

-18.60%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$16.25 $16.25

$36.31 Rp 643.0K

-55.25%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$4.11 $4.11

$5.71 Rp 101.0K

-28.02%

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$0.85 $0.85

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.28 $1.28

Cappuccino

$0.97 $0.97

$2.67 Rp 47.3K

-63.67%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.49 $0.49

$1.75 Rp 31.0K

-72.00%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.03 $1.03

$0.87 Rp 15.4K

18.39%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$2.95 Rp 52.3K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.52 Rp 80.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$1.18 $1.18

$1.62 Rp 28.7K

-27.16%

White Bread (500g)

$0.44 $0.44

$2.33 Rp 41.3K

-81.12%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.21 $2.21

$1.11 Rp 19.6K

99.10%

Eggs

$1.18 $1.18

$2.20 Rp 39.0K

-46.36%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.53 $8.53

$17.69 Rp 313.3K

-51.78%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.07 $3.07

$4.10 Rp 72.5K

-25.12%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$7.07 $7.07

$12.18 Rp 215.6K

-41.95%

Apples (1kg)

$0.72 $0.72

$3.71 Rp 65.6K

-80.59%

Banana (1kg)

$1.22 $1.22

$1.59 Rp 28.1K

-23.27%

Oranges (1kg)

$0.89 $0.89

$2.28 Rp 40.4K

-60.96%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.44 $0.44

$1.95 Rp 34.6K

-77.44%

Potato (1kg)

$0.51 $0.51

$1.91 Rp 33.7K

-73.30%

Onion (1kg)

$0.43 $0.43

$2.33 Rp 41.3K

-81.55%

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.48 $0.48

$1.01 Rp 17.8K

-52.48%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.29 $0.29

$0.55 Rp 9,773

-47.27%

Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine (Mid-Range)

$0.57 $0.57

Local Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$0.52 $0.52

Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.45 $1.45

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.24 $2.24

$2.23 Rp 39.5K

0.45%

Wine (Bottle)

$23.07 Rp 408.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.42 Rp 42.8K

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 Rp 53.1K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.20 $0.20

$0.27 Rp 4,814

-25.93%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$6.82 $6.82

$8.98 Rp 159.1K

-24.05%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 $0.48

$0.48 Rp 8,566

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.27 $0.27

$0.43 Rp 7,679

-37.21%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$2.36 $2.36

$5.64 Rp 99.9K

-58.16%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.09 $0.09

$0.80 Rp 14.2K

-88.75%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$53.8K $53.8K

$24.9K Rp 441.7M

115.65%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$39.7K $39.7K

$31.7K Rp 561.5M

25.12%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$14.42 $14.42

$81.5 Rp 1.4M

-82.30%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$1.63 $1.63

$6.49 Rp 115.0K

-74.88%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$3.69 $3.69

$18.77 Rp 332.4K

-80.34%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$8.71 $8.71

$56.9 Rp 1.0M

-84.68%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$12.32 $12.32

$18.73 Rp 331.7K

-34.22%

Cinema Ticket

$1.46 $1.46

$4.54 Rp 80.4K

-67.84%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$106 $106

$481 Rp 8.5M

-78.00%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$1,511 $1,511

$5,711 Rp 101.1M

-73.54%

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$20.01 $20.01

$45.52 Rp 806.0K

-56.04%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$28.33 $28.33

$35.88 Rp 635.4K

-21.04%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$56.4 $56.4

$80.4 Rp 1.4M

-29.85%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$29.21 $29.21

$78.7 Rp 1.4M

-62.87%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$290 $290

$1,115 Rp 19.7M

-74.02%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$201 $201

$698 Rp 12.4M

-71.17%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$676 $676

$3,637 Rp 64.4M

-81.42%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$336 $336

$1,737 Rp 30.8M

-80.65%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$838 $838

$2,784 Rp 49.3M

-69.89%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$558 $558

$2,290 Rp 40.5M

-75.64%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$275 $275

$168 Rp 3.0M

63.83%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

23.21

13.78

68.43%

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

Last update for Mahabad: September 15, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $290 in Mahabad versus $1,115 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 64% 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 $16.00 in Mahabad versus $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $116 vs $295 – making Mahabad the more affordable choice for daily food spending.

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

Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 195%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $696 per month in Mahabad and $2,052 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Mahabad, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $106 per month in Mahabad and $481 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Groceries cost about 154% 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.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Mahabad, where all-in costs run around $464, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Mahabad it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

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.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Mahabad. 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.