Last update: Oct 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Nkhotakota and Ubud, Bali

For one person, living is cheaper in Nkhotakota: $275 a month against $1,349 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $12,900 less a year. Rent and utilities account for most of the difference.

Nkhotakota, Malawi
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Nkhotakota
🇲🇼 Malawi
$275
/mo nomad
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,349
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Nkhotakota and in Ubud, Bali

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Nkhotakota and in Ubud, Bali actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

A single person spends $275 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,349 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Nkhotakota $275
  • Ubud, Bali $1,349

A couple spends around $449 per month in Nkhotakota vs $2,305 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Nkhotakota $449
  • Ubud, Bali $2,305

A family of three spends $622 per month in Nkhotakota vs $3,261 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

  • Nkhotakota $622
  • Ubud, Bali $3,261

Nkhotakota is about 80% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in groceries.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$5.02 MWK 8,612
$3.32 Rp 60.3K
51.20%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$35.64 Rp 646.5K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$5.53 Rp 100.4K
-
Cappuccino
$5.04 MWK 8,654
$2.72 Rp 49.3K
85.29%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.52 MWK 898
$1.70 Rp 30.9K
-69.41%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.76 Rp 13.8K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$1.48 MWK 2,536
$2.65 Rp 48.1K
-44.15%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$4.38 Rp 79.5K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$2.03 MWK 3,494
$1.49 Rp 27.0K
36.24%
White Bread (500g)
$0.48 MWK 818
$2.28 Rp 41.3K
-78.95%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.99 MWK 1,699
$1.19 Rp 21.6K
-16.81%
Eggs
$1.76 MWK 3,019
$2.04 Rp 36.9K
-13.73%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$2.95 MWK 5,060
$17.70 Rp 321.1K
-83.33%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$2.94 MWK 5,053
$3.96 Rp 71.9K
-25.76%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.94 MWK 6,765
$12.19 Rp 221.1K
-67.68%
Apples (1kg)
$5.14 MWK 8,833
$3.66 Rp 66.3K
40.44%
Banana (1kg)
$3.04 MWK 5,222
$1.52 Rp 27.5K
100.00%
Oranges (1kg)
$1.95 MWK 3,354
$2.23 Rp 40.4K
-12.56%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.98 MWK 1,689
$1.97 Rp 35.8K
-50.25%
Potato (1kg)
$1.03 MWK 1,761
$1.85 Rp 33.5K
-44.32%
Onion (1kg)
$2.06 MWK 3,535
$2.42 Rp 44.0K
-14.88%
Lettuce (1 head)
-
$0.99 Rp 18.0K
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$2.04 MWK 3,507
$0.51 Rp 9,313
300.00%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
-
$2.22 Rp 40.3K
-
Wine (Bottle)
-
$22.24 Rp 403.4K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.97 MWK 1,667
$2.26 Rp 41.0K
-57.08%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$2.97 Rp 53.9K
-
🚌 Getting Around
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
-
$0.25 Rp 4,553
-
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$7.82 Rp 141.9K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.44 Rp 7,972
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.43 Rp 7,801
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$5.41 Rp 98.1K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$0.82 Rp 15.0K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$23.8K Rp 432.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$31.7K Rp 575.9M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$79.1 Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$6.45 Rp 116.9K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
-
$18.58 Rp 337.0K
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$49.48 Rp 897.5K
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$17.65 Rp 320.1K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$4.27 Rp 77.5K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$491 Rp 8.9M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$5,674 Rp 102.9M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
-
$44.64 Rp 809.7K
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
-
$34.95 Rp 634.0K
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
-
$79.9 Rp 1.4M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$79.4 Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,125 Rp 20.4M
-
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$671 Rp 12.2M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
-
$3,565 Rp 64.7M
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
-
$1,723 Rp 31.3M
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
-
$2,732 Rp 49.5M
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
-
$2,284 Rp 41.4M
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Nkhotakota
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
-
$164 Rp 3.0M
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
0
13.78
-

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

Last update for Nkhotakota: October 25, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: October 25, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$672
Groceries & Markets
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$288
Eating Out
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$108
Clothing & Footwear
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$108
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$104
Sport & Entertainment
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$58
Getting Around
Nkhotakota
–
Ubud, Bali
$11
Good to know
🇲🇼 Nkhotakota
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🕒 Local time
06:44 6:44 AM
12:44 12:44 PM
6 h ahead of Nkhotakota
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
31,974
74,800
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

IDR, USD, EUR to MWK – Malawian Kwacha Converter

Malawian Kwacha exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 1,717 MWK (10,000 MWK = 5.82 USD). 1 EUR = 1,917 MWK (10,000 MWK = 5.22 EUR).

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 2, 2026: 1 USD = 18,138 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.51 USD). 1 EUR = 20,252 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Nkhotakota Ubud, Bali 8,830 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Nkhotakota
  • Ubud, Bali

Distances are measured in a straight line. Your location is detected approximately.

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
Is Nkhotakota cheaper than Ubud, Bali?
Yes – Ubud, Bali is pricier by about 391%, and outside of rent the gap shows up most in groceries.
What income do you need for each city?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $412 per month in Nkhotakota and $2,023 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
What are total monthly expenses in Nkhotakota and in Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $275 in Nkhotakota and $1,349 in Ubud, Bali. That makes Nkhotakota about 80% cheaper.
How do food prices compare in Nkhotakota and in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 75% more in Ubud, Bali, though the gap depends on what you buy.
Is $1,000 a realistic budget for living in Nkhotakota or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Nkhotakota, where all-in costs run around $275, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,349. In Nkhotakota it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Is it better to live in Nkhotakota or in Ubud, Bali?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $275 in Nkhotakota to $1,349 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.

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