Cost of Living Comparison Between Nkhotakota and Ubud, Bali Cost of Living Comparison Between Nkhotakota and Ubud, Bali

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $272 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,368 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $440 per month in Nkhotakota vs $2,348 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $608 per month in Nkhotakota vs $3,327 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

Nkhotakota is about 80% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.

Nkhotakota sits 80% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 0% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.95 MWK 8,495

$3.44 Rp 60.9K

43.90%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$36.31 Rp 643.0K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.71 Rp 101.0K

Cappuccino

$5.15 MWK 8,835

$2.67 Rp 47.3K

92.88%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.48 MWK 829

$1.75 Rp 31.0K

-72.57%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.87 Rp 15.4K

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.46 MWK 2,508

$2.95 Rp 52.3K

-50.51%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.52 Rp 80.0K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.03 MWK 3,481

$1.62 Rp 28.7K

25.31%

White Bread (500g)

$0.49 MWK 833

$2.33 Rp 41.3K

-78.97%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,747

$1.11 Rp 19.6K

-8.11%

Eggs

$1.83 MWK 3,149

$2.20 Rp 39.0K

-16.82%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.06 MWK 5,257

$17.69 Rp 313.3K

-82.70%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$2.96 MWK 5,080

$4.10 Rp 72.5K

-27.80%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.11 MWK 7,064

$12.18 Rp 215.6K

-66.26%

Apples (1kg)

$5.14 MWK 8,821

$3.71 Rp 65.6K

38.54%

Banana (1kg)

$2.92 MWK 5,010

$1.59 Rp 28.1K

83.65%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 MWK 3,536

$2.28 Rp 40.4K

-9.65%

Tomato (1kg)

$0.99 MWK 1,697

$1.95 Rp 34.6K

-49.23%

Potato (1kg)

$0.99 MWK 1,699

$1.91 Rp 33.7K

-48.17%

Onion (1kg)

$1.95 MWK 3,356

$2.33 Rp 41.3K

-16.31%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.01 Rp 17.8K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.98 MWK 3,393

$0.55 Rp 9,773

260.00%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$2.23 Rp 39.5K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.07 Rp 408.6K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.01 MWK 1,736

$2.42 Rp 42.8K

-58.26%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.00 Rp 53.1K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,814

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.98 Rp 159.1K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.48 Rp 8,566

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.43 Rp 7,679

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$5.64 Rp 99.9K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.80 Rp 14.2K

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$24.9K Rp 441.7M

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$31.7K Rp 561.5M

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$81.5 Rp 1.4M

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$6.49 Rp 115.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$18.77 Rp 332.4K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$56.9 Rp 1.0M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.73 Rp 331.7K

Cinema Ticket

$4.54 Rp 80.4K

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$481 Rp 8.5M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$5,711 Rp 101.1M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$45.52 Rp 806.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$35.88 Rp 635.4K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$80.4 Rp 1.4M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$78.7 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,115 Rp 19.7M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$698 Rp 12.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,637 Rp 64.4M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,737 Rp 30.8M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,784 Rp 49.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,290 Rp 40.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$168 Rp 3.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.78

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for Nkhotakota: September 14, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: September 14, 2026

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

Nkhotakota vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 404%, and the gap shows up most in Groceries & Markets. It's not just housing either; the difference applies across most spending categories.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $407 per month in Nkhotakota and $2,052 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Monthly expenses with rent come to $272 in Nkhotakota and $1,368 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 79% more in Ubud, Bali, though it depends on what you buy. Local produce may be comparable; imported and premium items show the biggest price gap.

A $1,500 monthly budget goes further in Nkhotakota, where all-in costs run around $272, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,368. In Nkhotakota it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

Families tend to lean toward Nkhotakota – lower housing and cheaper childcare make a real difference, especially on a single income or when paying for private education.

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.

If budget matters most, go with Nkhotakota. 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.