🙂A single person spends $938 per month in Managua vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $1,545 per month in Managua vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $2,152 per month in Managua vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Managua is about 33% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Clothing & Footwear.
📊Managua sits 30% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$4.88NIO 179
$3.45Rp 62.0K
41.45%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.67NIO 1,270
$32.34Rp 580.1K
7.20%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.10NIO 260
$4.84Rp 86.9K
46.69%
Cappuccino
$2.44NIO 89.2
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-11.27%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.81NIO 29.67
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-41.30%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.69NIO 25.28
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-8.00%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.34NIO 49.13
$2.99Rp 53.7K
-55.18%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.02NIO 74.0
$3.85Rp 69.1K
-47.53%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.22NIO 44.59
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-29.89%
White Bread(500g)
$2.45NIO 89.6
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-0.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$1.87NIO 68.5
$1.17Rp 21.0K
59.83%
Eggs
$2.27NIO 83.2
$2.43Rp 43.6K
-6.58%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$11.03NIO 404
$14.50Rp 260.2K
-23.93%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.44NIO 236
$4.35Rp 78.0K
48.05%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$7.93NIO 291
$11.98Rp 214.9K
-33.81%
Apples(1kg)
$3.84NIO 141
$3.72Rp 66.7K
3.23%
Banana(1kg)
$0.90NIO 32.81
$1.63Rp 29.2K
-44.79%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.84NIO 67.5
$2.74Rp 49.2K
-32.85%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.22NIO 81.1
$2.24Rp 40.2K
-0.89%
Potato(1kg)
$3.90NIO 143
$1.92Rp 34.4K
103.13%
Onion(1kg)
$2.19NIO 80.1
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-3.95%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.02NIO 37.39
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-3.77%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.05NIO 38.44
$0.72Rp 12.9K
45.83%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$2.68NIO 98.2
$3.29Rp 58.9K
-18.54%
Wine(Bottle)
$14.81NIO 542
$23.19Rp 416.1K
-36.14%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$1.39NIO 50.9
$2.78Rp 49.8K
-50.00%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.18NIO 79.9
$2.73Rp 49.0K
-20.15%
🚌 Getting Around
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.13NIO 4.92
$0.27Rp 4,778
-51.85%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$5.90NIO 216
$8.11Rp 145.4K
-27.25%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$1.46NIO 53.5
$0.48Rp 8,659
204.17%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.54NIO 19.76
$0.42Rp 7,532
28.57%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$6.81NIO 250
$6.22Rp 111.6K
9.49%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.31NIO 48.09
$0.81Rp 14.6K
61.73%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$22.6KNIO 829.4K
$26.6KRp 477.4M
-14.90%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.7KNIO 979.7K
$32.2KRp 577.4M
-16.90%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$98.0NIO 3,588
$78.4Rp 1.4M
25.04%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$16.68NIO 611
$4.07Rp 73.0K
309.83%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$37.05NIO 1,357
$24.33Rp 436.4K
52.28%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$35.43NIO 1,298
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-64.07%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$15.02NIO 550
$6.34Rp 113.7K
136.91%
Cinema Ticket
$7.80NIO 286
$3.99Rp 71.5K
95.49%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$123NIO 4,501
$305Rp 5.5M
-59.71%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$5,934NIO 217.3K
$6,642Rp 119.2M
-10.67%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$76.7NIO 2,810
$54.1Rp 971.2K
41.73%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$72.4NIO 2,652
$37.81Rp 678.2K
91.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$133NIO 4,879
$86.8Rp 1.6M
53.40%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$110NIO 4,036
$76.4Rp 1.4M
44.34%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$258NIO 9,456
$992Rp 17.8M
-73.97%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$191NIO 6,994
$673Rp 12.1M
-71.61%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$431NIO 15.8K
$3,375Rp 60.5M
-87.24%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$441NIO 16.1K
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-78.50%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$1,189NIO 43.6K
$2,805Rp 50.3M
-57.59%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$647NIO 23.7K
$2,227Rp 39.9M
-70.94%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Managua
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$358NIO 13.1K
$167Rp 3.0M
114.63%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
10.25
13.28
-22.82%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Managua: July 11, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $258 in Managua versus $992 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 115% 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 $35.00 in Managua versus $32.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries tell a different story – $259 in Managua vs $297 in Ubud, Bali – so Managua wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.
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: $938 in Managua, $1,408 in Ubud, Bali – roughly 50% 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 $1,407 per month in Managua and $2,112 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 37% 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 $123 per month in Managua and $305 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 $938, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. 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 $938 in Managua to $1,408 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.