Last update: Nov 2026

Cost of Living Comparison Between Ubud, Bali and Avarua

For one person, living is cheaper in Avarua: $1,161 a month against $1,331 in Ubud, Bali, rent and utilities included – about $2,000 less a year. The total is higher in Ubud, Bali despite lower rent and utilities.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Avarua, Cook Islands
Ubud, Bali
🇮🇩 Indonesia
$1,331
/mo nomad
Avarua
🇨🇰 Cook Islands
$1,161
/mo nomad
Monthly Cost of Living

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

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

A single person spends $1,331 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $1,161 in Avarua, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $1,331
  • Avarua $1,161

A couple spends around $2,255 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $781 in Avarua, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $2,255
  • Avarua $781

A family of three spends $3,180 per month in Ubud, Bali vs $401 in Avarua, rent included.

  • Ubud, Bali $3,180
  • Avarua $401

Ubud, Bali costs about 15% more than Avarua, and outside of rent the biggest gap is in transport.

Both Ubud, Bali and Avarua are more affordable than the global median – Ubud, Bali 2% lower, Avarua 14% lower.

Currency
🍽 Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$3.38 Rp 60.9K
$11.41 NZ$20.39
-70.38%
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$34.65 Rp 625.4K
-
-
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$5.57 Rp 100.6K
-
-
Cappuccino
$2.62 Rp 47.3K
$2.75 NZ$4.92
-4.73%
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.54 Rp 27.8K
$2.16 NZ$3.87
-28.70%
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$0.64 Rp 11.6K
$2.79 NZ$4.98
-77.06%
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$2.67 Rp 48.1K
$6.93 NZ$12.38
-61.47%
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.26 Rp 76.9K
$3.89 NZ$6.95
9.51%
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Milk (1 liter)
$1.46 Rp 26.4K
-
-
White Bread (500g)
$2.29 Rp 41.4K
-
-
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.11 Rp 20.0K
-
-
Eggs
$2.10 Rp 37.9K
-
-
Local Cheese (1kg)
$15.94 Rp 287.7K
-
-
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$3.88 Rp 70.1K
-
-
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$11.40 Rp 205.8K
-
-
Apples (1kg)
$3.55 Rp 64.1K
-
-
Banana (1kg)
$1.54 Rp 27.7K
-
-
Oranges (1kg)
$2.23 Rp 40.2K
-
-
Tomato (1kg)
$1.97 Rp 35.6K
-
-
Potato (1kg)
$1.86 Rp 33.5K
-
-
Onion (1kg)
$2.42 Rp 43.6K
-
-
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.02 Rp 18.5K
-
-
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$0.52 Rp 9,427
-
-
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$2.20 Rp 39.7K
-
-
Wine (Bottle)
$21.79 Rp 393.2K
-
-
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$2.33 Rp 42.0K
-
-
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.97 Rp 53.6K
-
-
🚌 Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$0.25 Rp 4,519
$2.86 NZ$5.10
-91.26%
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$8.17 Rp 147.5K
-
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$0.44 Rp 7,901
-
-
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$0.47 Rp 8,446
-
-
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$5.60 Rp 101.1K
-
-
Gasoline (1 liter)
$0.83 Rp 14.9K
$2.14 NZ$3.83
-61.21%
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$24.4K Rp 441.3M
-
-
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$31.7K Rp 572.1M
-
-
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$77.5 Rp 1.4M
-
-
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$6.14 Rp 110.9K
-
-
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$18.92 Rp 341.4K
-
-
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$51.0 Rp 920.4K
-
-
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$18.25 Rp 329.4K
-
-
Cinema Ticket
$4.38 Rp 79.1K
-
-
🧸 Childcare & Education
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$492 Rp 8.9M
-
-
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$12.2K Rp 220.6M
-
-
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$45.16 Rp 815.1K
-
-
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$34.89 Rp 629.7K
-
-
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$78.3 Rp 1.4M
-
-
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$77.9 Rp 1.4M
-
-
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,078 Rp 19.4M
$971 NZ$1,736
10.92%
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$665 Rp 12.0M
$963 NZ$1,722
-30.99%
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$3,510 Rp 63.4M
$111 NZ$198
3071.39%
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,671 Rp 30.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,340 Rp 42.2M
-
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,236 Rp 40.4M
$944 NZ$1,686
136.99%
💵 Salaries & Financials
Ubud, Bali
Avarua
Difference
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$166 Rp 3.0M
-
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
13.78
0
-

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

Last update for Ubud, Bali: November 1, 2026

Last update for Avarua: November 2, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Accommodation & Living
Ubud, Bali
$665
Avarua
–
Groceries & Markets
Ubud, Bali
$279
Avarua
–
Clothing & Footwear
Ubud, Bali
$106
Avarua
–
Eating Out
Ubud, Bali
$106
Avarua
–
Monthly Utilities & Internet
Ubud, Bali
$103
Avarua
–
Sport & Entertainment
Ubud, Bali
$60
Avarua
–
Getting Around
Ubud, Bali
$12
Avarua
–

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $1,078 in Ubud, Bali versus $971 in Avarua. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Good to know
🇮🇩 Ubud, Bali
🇨🇰 Avarua
🕒 Local time
14:42 2:42 PM
20:42 8:42 PM
18 h behind Ubud, Bali
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
74,800
5,000 Capital
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

NZD, USD, EUR to IDR – Indonesian Rupiah Converter

Indonesian Rupiah exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 18,049 IDR (100,000 IDR = 5.54 USD). 1 EUR = 20,262 IDR (100,000 IDR = 4.94 EUR).

New Zealand Dollar exchange rates as of November 6, 2026: 1 USD = 1.79 NZD (1 NZD = 0.56 USD). 1 EUR = 2.01 NZD (1 NZD = 0.499 EUR).

On the map
Between locations
  • Ubud, Bali Avarua 9,150 km ≈ 12 h nonstop flight
From you
  • Ubud, Bali
  • Avarua

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
Ubud, Bali vs Avarua: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions
Which city is more expensive, Ubud, Bali or Avarua?
Ubud, Bali costs about 15% more than Avarua, and outside of rent the gap comes mainly from groceries. 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 Ubud, Bali and in Avarua?
For a comfortable life, plan on about $1,996 per month in Ubud, Bali and $1,742 in Avarua. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.
Where is rent cheaper, Ubud, Bali or Avarua?
Rent is clearly cheaper in Avarua, especially for central apartments: a one-bedroom in the center costs $971 there versus $1,078 in Ubud, Bali.
Can you live on $1,000/month in Ubud, Bali or in Avarua?
$1,000 is a stretch for both – monthly costs hit $1,331 in Ubud, Bali and $1,161 in Avarua. You’ll need shared housing and careful budgeting no matter which city you pick.
Which city offers a better quality of life: Ubud, Bali or Avarua?
It depends on your priorities. Ubud, Bali has an edge in some lifestyle areas, with costs from $1,161 in Avarua to $1,331 in Ubud, Bali. Climate, culture, job market, and personal taste all factor in.
How safe is Ubud, Bali compared to Avarua?
Both cities have a reputation for safety. In either place, the choice of neighborhood matters more than the choice between the two cities.

Ubud, Bali vs other spots: cost of living compared

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