🙂A single person spends $998 per month in Managua vs $1,396 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,576 per month in Managua vs $2,334 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,154 per month in Managua vs $3,273 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Managua is about 29% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Managua sits 27% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 2% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$9.91NIO 363
$3.37Rp 59.7K
194.07%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$36.90NIO 1,351
$38.59Rp 682.4K
-4.38%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.40NIO 271
$5.52Rp 97.6K
34.06%
Cappuccino
$2.49NIO 91.3
$2.64Rp 46.8K
-5.68%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84NIO 30.78
$1.67Rp 29.6K
-49.70%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.68NIO 24.75
$0.77Rp 13.6K
-11.69%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.45NIO 53.3
$2.63Rp 46.6K
-44.87%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.03NIO 74.5
$4.28Rp 75.7K
-52.57%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.30NIO 47.46
$1.55Rp 27.3K
-16.13%
White Bread(500g)
$2.40NIO 87.7
$2.22Rp 39.3K
8.11%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.77NIO 65.0
$1.13Rp 19.9K
56.64%
Eggs
$2.29NIO 84.0
$2.09Rp 36.9K
9.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.71NIO 429
$17.39Rp 307.6K
-32.66%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.70NIO 246
$3.87Rp 68.4K
73.13%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.07NIO 259
$12.55Rp 221.9K
-43.67%
Apples(1kg)
$3.76NIO 138
$3.62Rp 63.9K
3.87%
Banana(1kg)
$0.57NIO 21.03
$1.56Rp 27.6K
-63.46%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.77NIO 65.0
$2.35Rp 41.6K
-24.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.18NIO 79.9
$2.06Rp 36.4K
5.83%
Potato(1kg)
$3.82NIO 140
$1.90Rp 33.6K
101.05%
Onion(1kg)
$2.16NIO 79.2
$2.34Rp 41.3K
-7.69%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.99NIO 36.31
$1.03Rp 18.2K
-3.88%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.03NIO 37.65
$0.55Rp 9,809
87.27%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.69NIO 98.5
$2.25Rp 39.8K
19.56%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.82NIO 543
$23.81Rp 421.0K
-37.76%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.48NIO 54.2
$2.31Rp 40.9K
-35.93%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.32NIO 84.8
$2.80Rp 49.5K
-17.14%
🚌 Getting Around
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.15NIO 5.64
$0.27Rp 4,816
-44.44%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.15NIO 225
$8.66Rp 153.2K
-28.98%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.66NIO 60.8
$0.48Rp 8,515
245.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$1.67NIO 61.0
$0.45Rp 7,887
271.11%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.61NIO 242
$5.72Rp 101.1K
15.56%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.36NIO 49.89
$0.76Rp 13.4K
78.95%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.2KNIO 851.4K
$24.5KRp 433.0M
-5.05%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$25.9KNIO 947.5K
$32.1KRp 568.0M
-19.46%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$117NIO 4,282
$83.6Rp 1.5M
39.93%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.96NIO 621
$6.46Rp 114.2K
162.54%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$36.52NIO 1,338
$18.99Rp 335.9K
92.31%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$32.97NIO 1,208
$56.0Rp 989.8K
-41.09%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.06NIO 552
$18.62Rp 329.2K
-19.12%
Cinema Ticket
$8.54NIO 313
$4.28Rp 75.7K
99.53%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$234NIO 8,562
$487Rp 8.6M
-51.95%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,050NIO 221.6K
$5,856Rp 103.6M
3.31%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$70.0NIO 2,563
$45.56Rp 805.6K
53.62%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$73.4NIO 2,687
$36.38Rp 643.3K
101.68%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133NIO 4,881
$82.0Rp 1.4M
62.60%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$109NIO 4,009
$80.4Rp 1.4M
36.13%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$255NIO 9,341
$1,117Rp 19.7M
-77.16%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$191NIO 7,009
$701Rp 12.4M
-72.70%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$439NIO 16.1K
$3,537Rp 62.5M
-87.58%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$366NIO 13.4K
$1,762Rp 31.2M
-79.24%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,192NIO 43.7K
$2,826Rp 50.0M
-57.81%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$642NIO 23.5K
$2,292Rp 40.5M
-71.97%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$357NIO 13.1K
$170Rp 3.0M
110.18%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.25
13.78
-25.62%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Managua: August 31, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: August 31, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $255 in Managua versus $1,117 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 110% higher in Managua, 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 $37.00 in Managua versus $39.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $257 vs $293 – making Managua the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Managua vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
How do living costs in Managua and in Ubud, Bali compare overall?
Monthly costs with rent: $998 in Managua, $1,396 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 40% apart. Ubud, Bali costs more across the board, with Clothing & Footwear showing the biggest gap.
What salary covers living expenses in Managua compared to Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,497 per month in Managua and $2,095 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
How do rents compare between Managua and Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Managua, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How do commuting costs compare in Managua and in Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 41% less in Managua. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
What is the difference in childcare costs between Managua and Ubud, Bali?
Kindergarten costs $234 per month in Managua and $487 in Ubud, Bali. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.
Which city is more doable on $2,000 per month?
A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Managua, where all-in costs run around $998, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,396. In Managua it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
How does quality of life compare between Managua and Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $998 in Managua to $1,396 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
Is Managua or Ubud, Bali safer for residents?
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.
How do I decide between Managua and Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Managua. 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.