🙂A single person spends $308 per month in Punakha vs $1,408 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A couple spends around $473 per month in Punakha vs $2,585 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂A family of three spends $638 per month in Punakha vs $3,763 in Ubud, Bali, rent included.
🙂Punakha is about 78% cheaper than Ubud, Bali, driven mainly by Groceries & Markets.
📊Punakha sits 77% below the global median, while Ubud, Bali is 5% above – they fall on opposite sides of the world average.
Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
-
$3.45Rp 62.0K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.34Rp 580.1K
-
Fast Food Meal(McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.84Rp 86.9K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.75Rp 49.3K
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.38Rp 24.8K
-
Water(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.75Rp 13.5K
-
Local Beer(0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.99Rp 53.7K
-
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.85Rp 69.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk(1 liter)
$0.78BTN 66.2
$1.74Rp 31.1K
-55.17%
White Bread(500g)
$0.53BTN 45.10
$2.46Rp 44.1K
-78.46%
Rice(white)(1kg)
$0.63BTN 53.1
$1.17Rp 21.0K
-46.15%
Eggs
$1.70BTN 143
$2.43Rp 43.6K
-30.04%
Local Cheese(1kg)
$4.73BTN 399
$14.50Rp 260.2K
-67.38%
Chicken Fillets(1kg)
$3.06BTN 259
$4.35Rp 78.0K
-29.66%
Beef Round Steak(1kg)
$3.54BTN 299
$11.98Rp 214.9K
-70.45%
Apples(1kg)
$4.08BTN 344
$3.72Rp 66.7K
9.68%
Banana(1kg)
$2.40BTN 203
$1.63Rp 29.2K
47.24%
Oranges(1kg)
$2.27BTN 191
$2.74Rp 49.2K
-17.15%
Tomato(1kg)
$0.85BTN 71.5
$2.24Rp 40.2K
-62.05%
Potato(1kg)
$0.51BTN 42.74
$1.92Rp 34.4K
-73.44%
Onion(1kg)
$0.87BTN 73.5
$2.28Rp 40.8K
-61.84%
Lettuce(1 head)
$0.28BTN 23.37
$1.06Rp 19.1K
-73.58%
Water(1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48BTN 40.70
$0.72Rp 12.9K
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack(Marlboro, Camel)
$3.47BTN 293
$3.29Rp 58.9K
5.47%
Wine(Bottle)
$3.18BTN 269
$23.19Rp 416.1K
-86.29%
Local Beer(0.5 liter bottle)
$0.76BTN 64.3
$2.78Rp 49.8K
-72.66%
Imported Beer(0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31BTN 111
$2.73Rp 49.0K
-52.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket(Public Transport)
$2.35BTN 198
$0.27Rp 4,778
770.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass(Regular Price)
-
$8.11Rp 145.4K
-
Taxi Start(Normal Tariff)
-
$0.48Rp 8,659
-
Taxi(Normal Tariff)(1km)
-
$0.42Rp 7,532
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting(Normal Tariff)
-
$6.22Rp 111.6K
-
Gasoline(1 liter)
-
$0.81Rp 14.6K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l(Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.6KRp 477.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l(Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.2KRp 577.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment(Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage)(85m2)
-
$78.4Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan(Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$4.07Rp 73.0K
-
Internet(50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.43BTN 1,471
$24.33Rp 436.4K
-28.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership(Monthly)
-
$98.6Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court(1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.34Rp 113.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.99Rp 71.5K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child(Monthly)
-
$305Rp 5.5M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child(Yearly)
-
$6,642Rp 119.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans(Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.21BTN 2,212
$54.1Rp 971.2K
-51.59%
Summer Dress(H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.53BTN 973
$37.81Rp 678.2K
-69.51%
Sport Shoes(Adidas, Nike)
$54.6BTN 4,610
$86.8Rp 1.6M
-37.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.37BTN 3,492
$76.4Rp 1.4M
-45.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$105BTN 8,887
$992Rp 17.8M
-89.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$91.4BTN 7,715
$673Rp 12.1M
-86.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center(Monthly)
$103BTN 8,702
$3,375Rp 60.5M
-96.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center(Monthly)
$137BTN 11.5K
$2,050Rp 36.8M
-93.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center(m2)
$3,161BTN 266.8K
$2,805Rp 50.3M
12.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center(m2)
$2,981BTN 251.6K
$2,227Rp 39.9M
33.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary(After Tax)
$241BTN 20.4K
$167Rp 3.0M
44.51%
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate(Annual %)
0
13.28
-
CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.
Last update for Punakha: July 13, 2026
Last update for Ubud, Bali: July 11, 2026
Cost Breakdown
🏠A central one-bedroom costs $105 in Punakha versus $992 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 45% higher in Punakha, which reinforces the cost advantage – you earn more and spend less. Purchasing power leans clearly in its favor.
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
Punakha vs Ubud, Bali: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Punakha or Ubud, Bali?
Ubud, Bali costs about 357% more than Punakha, with the gap driven mainly by Groceries & Markets. 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 Punakha and in Ubud, Bali?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $462 per month in Punakha and $2,112 in Ubud, Bali. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Punakha or Ubud, Bali?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Punakha, 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 Punakha compared to Ubud, Bali?
Monthly expenses with rent come to $308 in Punakha and $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. The difference isn't just one category – it shows up across housing, food, transport, and services.
Are groceries more expensive in Punakha or in Ubud, Bali?
Groceries cost about 122% 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.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Punakha or in Ubud, Bali?
A $1,000 monthly budget goes further in Punakha, where all-in costs run around $308, than in Ubud, Bali at $1,408. In Punakha it covers expenses comfortably, while in Ubud, Bali it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.
Which city is better for digital nomads, Punakha or Ubud, Bali?
For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Punakha costs $308 versus $1,408 in Ubud, Bali. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.
How safe is Punakha 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 Punakha or to Ubud, Bali?
If budget matters most, go with Punakha. 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.