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 $277 per month in Nkhotakota vs $1,392 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A couple spends around $444 per month in Nkhotakota vs $2,557 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

A family of three spends $612 per month in Nkhotakota vs $3,723 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.

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

Nkhotakota sits 79% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$4.98 MWK 8,553

$3.57 Rp 64.6K

39.50%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$32.32 Rp 584.4K

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$5.01 Rp 90.5K

Cappuccino

$5.15 MWK 8,841

$2.82 Rp 51.1K

82.62%

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

$0.48 MWK 824

$1.35 Rp 24.4K

-64.44%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.73 Rp 13.2K

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$1.47 MWK 2,532

$2.93 Rp 53.0K

-49.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.94 Rp 71.2K

Milk (1 liter)

$2.05 MWK 3,528

$1.78 Rp 32.2K

15.17%

White Bread (500g)

$0.52 MWK 900

$2.45 Rp 44.3K

-78.78%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$0.97 MWK 1,669

$1.15 Rp 20.8K

-15.65%

Eggs

$1.77 MWK 3,042

$2.41 Rp 43.7K

-26.56%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$3.02 MWK 5,187

$14.33 Rp 259.1K

-78.93%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$3.02 MWK 5,183

$4.19 Rp 75.7K

-27.92%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$4.02 MWK 6,897

$12.06 Rp 218.1K

-66.67%

Apples (1kg)

$4.90 MWK 8,414

$3.64 Rp 65.8K

34.62%

Banana (1kg)

$2.99 MWK 5,127

$1.57 Rp 28.3K

90.45%

Oranges (1kg)

$2.06 MWK 3,536

$2.79 Rp 50.4K

-26.16%

Tomato (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,748

$2.24 Rp 40.5K

-54.46%

Potato (1kg)

$1.02 MWK 1,760

$1.98 Rp 35.8K

-48.48%

Onion (1kg)

$2.06 MWK 3,534

$2.28 Rp 41.2K

-9.65%

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.05 Rp 19.1K

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.99 MWK 3,414

$0.79 Rp 14.2K

151.90%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$3.19 Rp 57.7K

Wine (Bottle)

$23.49 Rp 424.8K

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.02 MWK 1,750

$2.90 Rp 52.4K

-64.83%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.76 Rp 49.8K

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$0.27 Rp 4,821

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$8.37 Rp 151.3K

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$0.45 Rp 8,180

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$0.46 Rp 8,311

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$6.07 Rp 109.7K

Gasoline (1 liter)

$0.86 Rp 15.6K

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

$26.6K Rp 480.7M

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

$32.5K Rp 588.6M

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

$79.0 Rp 1.4M

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

$4.09 Rp 74.0K

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$23.85 Rp 431.2K

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$98.8 Rp 1.8M

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$6.35 Rp 114.9K

Cinema Ticket

$4.01 Rp 72.5K

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

$297 Rp 5.4M

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,602 Rp 119.4M

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$53.4 Rp 966.0K

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$38.11 Rp 689.2K

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$88.7 Rp 1.6M

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$76.6 Rp 1.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,020 Rp 18.4M

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$680 Rp 12.3M

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$3,469 Rp 62.7M

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,090 Rp 37.8M

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$2,729 Rp 49.3M

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$2,295 Rp 41.5M

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$164 Rp 3.0M

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

13.28

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

Last update for Nkhotakota: July 28, 2026

Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 28, 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 403%, 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 $415 per month in Nkhotakota and $2,088 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 $277 in Nkhotakota and $1,392 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.

Groceries cost about 81% 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 $277, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,392. 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.