🙂Monthly costs for one person with rent: $433 in Mardan versus $1,438 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Estimated couple costs with rent: $641 in Mardan versus $2,585 in Ubud, Bali.
🙂Monthly costs for a family of three with rent: $848 in Mardan versus $3,732 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 7% above.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$2.18PKR 608
$3.57Rp 61.6K
-38.94%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$14.39PKR 4,017
$32.58Rp 562.6K
-55.83%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$5.35PKR 1,493
$5.07Rp 87.5K
5.52%
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$1.75PKR 488
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$3.93PKR 1,098
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.06PKR 575
$2.83Rp 48.8K
-27.21%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.29PKR 79.9
$1.34Rp 23.1K
-78.36%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$0.22PKR 61.1
$0.69Rp 12.0K
-68.12%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.99Rp 51.6K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.85Rp 66.4K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78PKR 217
$1.74Rp 30.1K
-55.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.65PKR 183
$2.54Rp 43.8K
-74.41%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.84PKR 234
$1.19Rp 20.6K
-29.41%
Eggs
$1.16PKR 323
$2.43Rp 41.9K
-52.26%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$6.03PKR 1,682
$14.66Rp 253.2K
-58.87%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$2.39PKR 667
$4.18Rp 72.1K
-42.82%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.10PKR 867
$11.94Rp 206.1K
-74.04%
Apples(1kg)
$0.74PKR 206
$3.69Rp 63.6K
-79.95%
Banana(1kg)
$0.55PKR 153
$1.61Rp 27.7K
-65.84%
Oranges(1kg)
$0.95PKR 266
$2.69Rp 46.4K
-64.68%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.30PKR 84.9
$2.33Rp 40.2K
-87.12%
Potato(1kg)
$0.24PKR 66.9
$1.91Rp 32.9K
-87.43%
Onion(1kg)
$0.37PKR 102
$2.19Rp 37.7K
-83.11%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.31PKR 86.2
$1.06Rp 18.3K
-70.75%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.15PKR 41.22
$0.72Rp 12.5K
-79.17%
Bottle of Non-Alcoholic Wine(Mid-Range)
$1.98PKR 553
-
-
Local Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.87PKR 243
-
-
Imported Non-Alcoholic Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.99PKR 555
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$1.37PKR 384
$3.13Rp 54.1K
-56.23%
Wine(Bottle)
-
$23.49Rp 405.6K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
-
$2.74Rp 47.3K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.88Rp 49.7K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$0.18PKR 49.07
$0.29Rp 5,010
-37.93%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$7.04PKR 1,966
$8.17Rp 141.0K
-13.83%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$0.36PKR 102
$0.45Rp 7,834
-20.00%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.34PKR 96.1
$0.42Rp 7,278
-19.05%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$1.81PKR 506
$6.16Rp 106.3K
-70.62%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$0.97PKR 271
$0.84Rp 14.5K
15.48%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$20.8KPKR 5.8M
$26.2KRp 453.1M
-20.65%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$26.2KPKR 7.3M
$32.5KRp 560.8M
-19.23%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$114PKR 31.9K
$78.4Rp 1.4M
45.58%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$5.37PKR 1,499
$3.95Rp 68.2K
35.95%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.43PKR 5,144
$24.40Rp 421.4K
-24.47%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
$12.43PKR 3,469
$96.5Rp 1.7M
-87.12%
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$5.91PKR 1,649
$6.35Rp 109.6K
-6.93%
Cinema Ticket
$4.18PKR 1,166
$4.04Rp 69.7K
3.47%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$17.36PKR 4,845
$303Rp 5.2M
-94.26%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$1,128PKR 314.8K
$6,523Rp 112.6M
-82.71%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$21.42PKR 5,978
$53.8Rp 929.5K
-60.22%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$27.91PKR 7,791
$37.98Rp 655.8K
-26.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$89.5PKR 25.0K
$86.8Rp 1.5M
3.20%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$17.55PKR 4,899
$78.9Rp 1.4M
-77.75%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$75.8PKR 21.2K
$1,012Rp 17.5M
-92.51%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$51.6PKR 14.4K
$674Rp 11.6M
-92.35%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$164PKR 45.9K
$3,390Rp 58.5M
-95.15%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$108PKR 30.2K
$2,098Rp 36.2M
-94.85%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
-
$2,985Rp 51.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
-
$2,339Rp 40.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Mardan
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$270PKR 75.3K
$173Rp 3.0M
55.75%
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: April 25, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: April 28, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A one-bedroom apartment in the center runs $75.8 in Mardan and $1,012 in Ubud, Bali. Housing cost is often the main lever when comparing two cities.
💰Mardan pays 56% more on average while also being the cheaper of the two. The combined effect is a noticeably stronger local purchasing power.
🛒Dining out: $14.00 in Mardan vs $33.00 in Ubud, Bali for a mid-range dinner for two. Groceries echo the gap at $78.0 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 232% gap adds up to real monthly savings that compound significantly over time.
Where can you earn more: Mardan or Ubud, Bali?
Mardan pays 56% more on average, which matters when comparing affordability. Whether that higher income actually nets you more depends on your spending habits and housing choices.
What is the rent difference between Mardan and Ubud, Bali?
Rent for a central apartment: $75.8 in Mardan versus $1,012 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 $17.36 in Mardan versus $303 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 Ubud, Bali?
Supermarket bills run roughly 280% 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 Mardan or Ubud, Bali?
At $433 in Mardan versus $1,438 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 232% less than in Ubud, Bali. Beyond cost, consider language, visa policies, and how big the international community is in each city.