🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $424 in Mardan versus $1,392 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $638 in Mardan versus $2,557 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $851 in Mardan versus $3,723 in Ubud, Bali.
🌍Living in Mardan costs roughly 70% less than in Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊The two cities straddle the global median: Mardan is 68% below, Ubud, Bali is 5% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.06PKR 571
$3.57Rp 64.5K
-42.30%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.31PKR 3,970
$32.32Rp 583.4K
-55.72%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.36PKR 1,487
$5.01Rp 90.4K
6.99%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.73PKR 479
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.00PKR 1,110
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.00PKR 556
$2.82Rp 51.0K
-29.08%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.31PKR 87.1
$1.35Rp 24.4K
-77.04%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.24PKR 66.7
$0.73Rp 13.2K
-67.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.93Rp 53.0K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.94Rp 71.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.77PKR 214
$1.78Rp 32.1K
-56.74%
White Bread(500g)
$0.62PKR 171
$2.45Rp 44.2K
-74.69%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84PKR 233
$1.15Rp 20.7K
-26.96%
Eggs
$1.19PKR 331
$2.41Rp 43.6K
-50.62%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.33PKR 1,756
$14.33Rp 258.7K
-55.83%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.31PKR 641
$4.19Rp 75.6K
-44.87%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.26PKR 904
$12.06Rp 217.7K
-72.97%
Apples(1kg)
$0.69PKR 191
$3.64Rp 65.7K
-81.04%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55PKR 152
$1.57Rp 28.3K
-64.97%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.96PKR 268
$2.79Rp 50.3K
-65.59%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.33PKR 92.6
$2.24Rp 40.5K
-85.27%
Potato(1kg)
$0.24PKR 66.6
$1.98Rp 35.7K
-87.88%
Onion(1kg)
$0.37PKR 102
$2.28Rp 41.1K
-83.77%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.33PKR 91.8
$1.05Rp 19.0K
-68.57%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.13PKR 35.05
$0.79Rp 14.2K
-83.54%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.43PKR 396
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.88PKR 243
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.96PKR 543
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.43PKR 398
$3.19Rp 57.6K
-55.17%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.49Rp 424.1K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.90Rp 52.3K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.76Rp 49.7K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 49.54
$0.27Rp 4,813
-33.33%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$6.89PKR 1,911
$8.37Rp 151.1K
-17.68%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.36PKR 101
$0.45Rp 8,167
-20.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34PKR 94.9
$0.46Rp 8,298
-26.09%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.81PKR 502
$6.07Rp 109.6K
-70.18%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.89PKR 248
$0.86Rp 15.6K
3.49%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$21.3KPKR 5.9M
$26.6KRp 480.0M
-20.03%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.3KPKR 7.3M
$32.5KRp 587.6M
-19.12%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$112PKR 31.1K
$79.0Rp 1.4M
41.95%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.55PKR 1,540
$4.09Rp 73.9K
35.70%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.45PKR 5,120
$23.85Rp 430.5K
-22.64%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.30PKR 3,414
$98.8Rp 1.8M
-87.55%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.99PKR 1,664
$6.35Rp 114.7K
-5.67%
Cinema Ticket
$4.26PKR 1,181
$4.01Rp 72.3K
6.23%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$17.48PKR 4,851
$297Rp 5.4M
-94.12%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,112PKR 308.7K
$6,602Rp 119.2M
-83.15%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.33PKR 5,920
$53.4Rp 964.5K
-60.08%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.63PKR 7,669
$38.11Rp 688.1K
-27.50%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.2PKR 24.8K
$88.7Rp 1.6M
0.64%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.39PKR 4,827
$76.6Rp 1.4M
-77.30%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.5PKR 21.0K
$1,020Rp 18.4M
-92.59%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.8PKR 14.4K
$680Rp 12.3M
-92.38%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$167PKR 46.3K
$3,469Rp 62.6M
-95.19%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$105PKR 29.1K
$2,090Rp 37.7M
-94.98%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$867PKR 240.6K
$2,729Rp 49.3M
-68.23%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$511PKR 141.9K
$2,295Rp 41.4M
-77.72%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
-
$164Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
20.2
13.28
52.11%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Mardan: July 25, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.5 in Mardan and $1,020 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Mardan vs $32.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $79.0 vs $298 per month, with Mardan cheaper across the board.
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
Mardan vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubud, Bali cheaper than Mardan?
Mardan is cheaper overall, especially in Groceries & Markets, Clothing & Footwear, Eating Out, Monthly Utilities & Internet, Sport & Entertainment. The 228% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
What income do you need for each city?
You'd need roughly $636 in Mardan and $2,088 in Ubud, Bali to live well. The gap comes down to housing and overall price levels. Both cities are liveable on less, but these numbers represent actual comfort.
What is the rent difference between Mardan and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.5 in Mardan versus $1,020 in Ubud, Bali. Housing is usually the single largest factor when comparing overall living costs between the two.
Which city has cheaper kindergarten?
Childcare runs $17.48 in Mardan versus $297 in Ubud, Bali. Over years of preschool, even a modest monthly gap compounds into a major financial factor for families.
How do food prices compare in Mardan and in Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 278% higher in Ubud, Bali. For households that cook at home regularly, that difference adds up over a month.
Is $1,500 a realistic budget for living in Mardan or in Ubud, Bali?
At $424 in Mardan versus $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, a $1,500 budget is realistic in Mardan but tight or insufficient in Ubud, Bali. The gap between the two cities makes Mardan the clear choice for anyone on this budget.
Is Mardan or Ubud, Bali more family-friendly?
For families, Mardan is more practical. Housing and childcare are both notably cheaper than in Ubud, Bali, and the savings on those two alone free up budget for education, activities, and family trips.
Which city is safer, Mardan or Ubud, Bali?
Safety-wise, Mardan 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 easier to live in as a foreigner?
Expats usually find Mardan gentler on the wallet – expenses run 228% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.