😐A single person spends $2,983 per month in Port Vila vs $1,419 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐A couple spends around $4,058 per month in Port Vila vs $2,540 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐A family of three spends $5,134 per month in Port Vila vs $3,660 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
😐Port Vila costs about 110% more than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet.
📊Both Port Vila and Ubud, Bali sit above the global median – Port Vila by 123%, Ubud, Bali by 6%.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$11.14VUV 1,282
$3.56Rp 63.7K
212.92%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$64.5VUV 7,426
$32.73Rp 584.5K
97.10%
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
$9.83VUV 1,131
$4.95Rp 88.4K
98.59%
Cappuccino
$5.25VUV 604
$2.71Rp 48.4K
93.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15VUV 247
$1.34Rp 24.0K
60.45%
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.74VUV 200
$0.70Rp 12.5K
148.57%
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
$4.42VUV 508
$2.92Rp 52.1K
51.37%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$4.23VUV 486
$3.96Rp 70.7K
6.82%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$2.23VUV 257
$1.81Rp 32.3K
23.20%
White Bread(500g)
$2.50VUV 288
$2.52Rp 45.0K
-0.79%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$3.93VUV 452
$1.16Rp 20.7K
238.79%
Eggs
$5.18VUV 596
$2.46Rp 43.9K
110.57%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$20.04VUV 2,306
$14.71Rp 262.7K
36.23%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$18.57VUV 2,137
$4.32Rp 77.1K
329.86%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$18.19VUV 2,094
$12.14Rp 216.7K
49.84%
Apples(1kg)
$4.66VUV 536
$3.84Rp 68.6K
21.35%
Banana(1kg)
$2.05VUV 236
$1.56Rp 27.8K
31.41%
Oranges(1kg)
$6.03VUV 694
$2.83Rp 50.6K
113.07%
Tomato(1kg)
$2.47VUV 284
$2.33Rp 41.5K
6.01%
Potato(1kg)
$4.40VUV 506
$1.91Rp 34.2K
130.37%
Onion(1kg)
$2.18VUV 251
$2.20Rp 39.3K
-0.91%
Lettuce(1 head)
$2.57VUV 296
$1.01Rp 18.1K
154.46%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$1.06VUV 122
$0.78Rp 13.8K
35.90%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$9.46VUV 1,089
$3.32Rp 59.2K
184.94%
Wine(Bottle)
$12.44VUV 1,432
$23.74Rp 423.9K
-47.60%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$2.95VUV 340
$2.79Rp 49.8K
5.73%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$2.94VUV 338
$2.86Rp 51.1K
2.80%
🚌 Getting Around
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$1.72VUV 198
$0.27Rp 4,800
537.04%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
$68.0VUV 7,826
$8.03Rp 143.4K
746.58%
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
$2.14VUV 246
$0.46Rp 8,150
365.22%
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
$0.82VUV 94.9
$0.45Rp 8,037
82.22%
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
$5.10VUV 587
$6.10Rp 108.9K
-16.39%
Gasoline(1 liter)
$1.89VUV 217
$0.79Rp 14.2K
139.24%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$23.1KVUV 2.7M
$26.1KRp 467.0M
-11.66%
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$38.6KVUV 4.4M
$32.1KRp 573.6M
20.04%
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
$531VUV 61.1K
$79.9Rp 1.4M
564.14%
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$25.37VUV 2,921
$4.06Rp 72.6K
524.88%
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$227VUV 26.2K
$23.52Rp 420.0K
866.62%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$98.7Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
$16.92VUV 1,948
$6.63Rp 118.4K
155.20%
Cinema Ticket
$12.71VUV 1,463
$4.15Rp 74.1K
206.27%
🧸 Childcare & Education
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
$624VUV 71.8K
$304Rp 5.4M
105.35%
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
$6,796VUV 782.2K
$6,613Rp 118.1M
2.76%
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.92VUV 5,286
$55.5Rp 991.8K
-17.32%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$68.2VUV 7,851
$38.31Rp 684.1K
78.02%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
-
$88.6Rp 1.6M
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
-
$77.9Rp 1.4M
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$1,882VUV 216.6K
$1,006Rp 18.0M
86.96%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$1,392VUV 160.2K
$675Rp 12.1M
106.13%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$3,353VUV 385.9K
$3,442Rp 61.5M
-2.59%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$2,083VUV 239.8K
$2,039Rp 36.4M
2.14%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$6,040VUV 695.3K
$2,841Rp 50.7M
112.60%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,291VUV 263.7K
$2,264Rp 40.4M
1.18%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Port Vila
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$696VUV 80.2K
$165Rp 3.0M
321.39%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
7
13.28
-47.29%
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Port Vila: May 31, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: June 1, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $1,882 in Port Vila versus $1,006 in Ubud, Bali. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.
💰Salaries run about 321% higher in Port Vila, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.
🛒A mid-range dinner for two costs $65.0 in Port Vila versus $33.00 in Ubud, Bali. Monthly groceries follow the same trend: $449 vs $302 – making Ubud, Bali the more affordable choice for daily food spending.
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
Port Vila vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Port Vila or Ubud, Bali?
Port Vila costs about 110% more than Ubud, Bali, with the gap driven mainly by Monthly Utilities & Internet. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.
How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Port Vila vs Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $4,474 per month in Port Vila and $2,129 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Port Vila or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Ubud, Bali, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.
How much does it cost to live in Port Vila compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $2,983 in Port Vila and $1,419 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
How expensive is transport in Port Vila vs Ubud, Bali?
Public transport costs about 747% less in Ubud, Bali. For daily commuters, that gap adds up to noticeable savings over a year.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Port Vila or Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Ubud, Bali, where all-in costs run around $1,419, than in Port Vila at $2,983. In Ubud, Bali it covers expenses comfortably, while in Port Vila it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Port Vila or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Ubud, Bali costs $1,419 versus $2,983 in Port Vila. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Port Vila compared to Ubud, Bali?
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.
Should I move to Port Vila or Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Ubud, Bali. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, Port Vila makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.