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

Monthly Cost of Living

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
-
$3.45 Rp 62.0K
-
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
-
$32.34 Rp 580.1K
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
-
$4.84 Rp 86.9K
-
Cappuccino
-
$2.75 Rp 49.3K
-
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$1.38 Rp 24.8K
-
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$0.75 Rp 13.5K
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
-
$2.99 Rp 53.7K
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
-
$3.85 Rp 69.1K
-
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$0.78 BTN 66.2
$1.74 Rp 31.1K
-55.17%
White Bread (500g)
$0.53 BTN 45.10
$2.46 Rp 44.1K
-78.46%
Rice (white) (1kg)
$0.63 BTN 53.1
$1.17 Rp 21.0K
-46.15%
Eggs
$1.70 BTN 143
$2.43 Rp 43.6K
-30.04%
Local Cheese (1kg)
$4.73 BTN 399
$14.50 Rp 260.2K
-67.38%
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.06 BTN 259
$4.35 Rp 78.0K
-29.66%
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$3.54 BTN 299
$11.98 Rp 214.9K
-70.45%
Apples (1kg)
$4.08 BTN 344
$3.72 Rp 66.7K
9.68%
Banana (1kg)
$2.40 BTN 203
$1.63 Rp 29.2K
47.24%
Oranges (1kg)
$2.27 BTN 191
$2.74 Rp 49.2K
-17.15%
Tomato (1kg)
$0.85 BTN 71.5
$2.24 Rp 40.2K
-62.05%
Potato (1kg)
$0.51 BTN 42.74
$1.92 Rp 34.4K
-73.44%
Onion (1kg)
$0.87 BTN 73.5
$2.28 Rp 40.8K
-61.84%
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.28 BTN 23.37
$1.06 Rp 19.1K
-73.58%
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.48 BTN 40.70
$0.72 Rp 12.9K
-33.33%
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$3.47 BTN 293
$3.29 Rp 58.9K
5.47%
Wine (Bottle)
$3.18 BTN 269
$23.19 Rp 416.1K
-86.29%
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$0.76 BTN 64.3
$2.78 Rp 49.8K
-72.66%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.31 BTN 111
$2.73 Rp 49.0K
-52.01%
🚌 Getting Around
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.35 BTN 198
$0.27 Rp 4,778
770.37%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
-
$8.11 Rp 145.4K
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
-
$0.48 Rp 8,659
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
-
$0.42 Rp 7,532
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
-
$6.22 Rp 111.6K
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
-
$0.81 Rp 14.6K
-
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
-
$26.6K Rp 477.4M
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
-
$32.2K Rp 577.4M
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
-
$78.4 Rp 1.4M
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
-
$4.07 Rp 73.0K
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$17.43 BTN 1,471
$24.33 Rp 436.4K
-28.36%
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
-
$98.6 Rp 1.8M
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
-
$6.34 Rp 113.7K
-
Cinema Ticket
-
$3.99 Rp 71.5K
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
-
$305 Rp 5.5M
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
-
$6,642 Rp 119.2M
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$26.21 BTN 2,212
$54.1 Rp 971.2K
-51.59%
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$11.53 BTN 973
$37.81 Rp 678.2K
-69.51%
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$54.6 BTN 4,610
$86.8 Rp 1.6M
-37.11%
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$41.37 BTN 3,492
$76.4 Rp 1.4M
-45.82%
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$105 BTN 8,887
$992 Rp 17.8M
-89.39%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$91.4 BTN 7,715
$673 Rp 12.1M
-86.42%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$103 BTN 8,702
$3,375 Rp 60.5M
-96.95%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$137 BTN 11.5K
$2,050 Rp 36.8M
-93.33%
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$3,161 BTN 266.8K
$2,805 Rp 50.3M
12.70%
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,981 BTN 251.6K
$2,227 Rp 39.9M
33.84%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Punakha
Ubud, Bali
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$241 BTN 20.4K
$167 Rp 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.

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