😐Monthly costs for one person with rent: $1,606 in Manama versus $1,368 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Estimated couple costs with rent: $2,517 in Manama versus $2,348 in Ubud, Bali.
😐Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $3,428 in Manama versus $3,327 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Manama is roughly 17% more expensive than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Eating Out.
📊Both cities are pricier than the global median: Manama17% above, Ubud, Bali0% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$6.67BHD 2.52
$3.44Rp 60.9K
93.90%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$52.1BHD 19.64
$36.31Rp 643.0K
43.51%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$7.30BHD 2.75
$5.71Rp 101.0K
27.85%
Cappuccino
$4.82BHD 1.82
$2.67Rp 47.3K
80.52%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.84BHD 0.32
$1.75Rp 31.0K
-52.00%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.33BHD 0.12
$0.87Rp 15.4K
-62.07%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$6.65BHD 2.51
$2.95Rp 52.3K
125.42%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$9.84BHD 3.71
$4.52Rp 80.0K
117.70%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$1.43BHD 0.54
$1.62Rp 28.7K
-11.73%
White Bread(500g)
$1.06BHD 0.40
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-54.51%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$2.30BHD 0.87
$1.11Rp 19.6K
107.21%
Eggs
$2.22BHD 0.84
$2.20Rp 39.0K
0.91%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$8.78BHD 3.31
$17.69Rp 313.3K
-50.37%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$6.33BHD 2.39
$4.10Rp 72.5K
54.39%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$8.45BHD 3.19
$12.18Rp 215.6K
-30.62%
Apples(1kg)
$2.39BHD 0.90
$3.71Rp 65.6K
-35.58%
Banana(1kg)
$2.35BHD 0.89
$1.59Rp 28.1K
47.80%
Oranges(1kg)
$1.88BHD 0.71
$2.28Rp 40.4K
-17.54%
Tomato(1kg)
$1.44BHD 0.54
$1.95Rp 34.6K
-26.15%
Potato(1kg)
$1.06BHD 0.40
$1.91Rp 33.7K
-44.50%
Onion(1kg)
$1.43BHD 0.54
$2.33Rp 41.3K
-38.63%
Lettuce(1 head)
$1.55BHD 0.59
$1.01Rp 17.8K
53.47%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.78BHD 0.29
$0.55Rp 9,773
41.82%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$5.18BHD 1.95
$2.23Rp 39.5K
132.29%
Wine(Bottle)
$18.37BHD 6.92
$23.07Rp 408.6K
-20.37%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$3.47BHD 1.31
$2.42Rp 42.8K
43.39%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.62BHD 0.99
$3.00Rp 53.1K
-12.67%
🚌 Getting Around
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.64BHD 0.24
$0.27Rp 4,814
137.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$37.78BHD 14.24
$8.98Rp 159.1K
320.71%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$5.38BHD 2.03
$0.48Rp 8,566
1020.83%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$3.51BHD 1.32
$0.43Rp 7,679
716.28%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$15.79BHD 5.95
$5.64Rp 99.9K
179.96%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.64BHD 0.24
$0.80Rp 14.2K
-20.00%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$37.3KBHD 14.0K
$24.9KRp 441.7M
49.37%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$20.4KBHD 7,674
$31.7KRp 561.5M
-35.79%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$154BHD 57.9
$81.5Rp 1.4M
88.71%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$24.27BHD 9.15
$6.49Rp 115.0K
273.96%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$34.61BHD 13.04
$18.77Rp 332.4K
84.39%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$61.8BHD 23.30
$56.9Rp 1.0M
8.70%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$30.54BHD 11.51
$18.73Rp 331.7K
63.05%
Cinema Ticket
$10.77BHD 4.06
$4.54Rp 80.4K
137.22%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$495BHD 187
$481Rp 8.5M
2.97%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$10.9KBHD 4,096
$5,711Rp 101.1M
90.26%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$50.5BHD 19.05
$45.52Rp 806.0K
11.03%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$57.7BHD 21.74
$35.88Rp 635.4K
60.73%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$87.2BHD 32.85
$80.4Rp 1.4M
8.41%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$91.0BHD 34.29
$78.7Rp 1.4M
15.65%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,002BHD 378
$1,115Rp 19.7M
-10.05%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$643BHD 242
$698Rp 12.4M
-7.88%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$2,079BHD 783
$3,637Rp 64.4M
-42.84%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,381BHD 521
$1,737Rp 30.8M
-20.51%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$2,652BHD 1,000
$2,784Rp 49.3M
-4.74%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$1,959BHD 738
$2,290Rp 40.5M
-14.43%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Manama
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$2,273BHD 857
$168Rp 3.0M
1253.02%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
6.21
13.78
-54.93%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Manama: September 12, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $1,002 in Manama and $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Manama pays 1253% more on average. The extra income cushions the higher costs, though housing choices and lifestyle decide how much of the gap is truly closed.
🛒Dining out: $52.0 in Manama vs $36.00 in Ubud, Bali. Groceries flip the comparison at $248 vs $295, with Manama cheaper for home cooking.
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
Manama vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Manama or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali wins on cost – living expenses run 17% lower than in Manama. Housing and daily spending are where you'll feel the difference most, making Ubud, Bali the obvious pick if budget is a priority.
Are salaries higher in Manama or in Ubud, Bali?
Average pay runs 1253% higher in Manama, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
How much does a 1-bedroom apartment cost in Manama compared to Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $1,002 in Manama versus $1,115 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
How expensive is transport in Manama compared to Ubud, Bali?
A monthly transit pass in Ubud, Bali runs roughly 321% less than in Manama. Both cities have functional networks, but the price difference matters if you're watching your budget.
How do childcare costs compare in Manama and in Ubud, Bali?
Childcare runs $495 in Manama versus $481 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Manama or in Ubud, Bali?
At $1,368 in Ubud, Bali versus $1,606 in Manama, a $1,000 budget is realistic in Ubud, Bali but tight or insufficient in Manama. The gap between the two cities makes Ubud, Bali the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Manama or Ubud, Bali?
Both work as nomad bases, but Ubud, Bali delivers better value – similar infrastructure at $1,368 monthly. If stretching your runway or maximizing savings is the goal, the price difference makes Ubud, Bali hard to pass up.
How safe is Manama compared to Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Manama 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.
Which city is more affordable for expats?
Expats usually find Ubud, Bali gentler on the wallet – expenses run 17% less than in Manama. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.